Hi PetRelocation,
Can my rescue dog come straight from the airport to my home or does he need to go into quarantine?
Thanks,
Lisa
Hi Lisa,
According to the pet import requirements for the UK, your dog will not need to fulfill a quarantine as long as you follow the correct procedures carefully. The UK does have a very specific entry process for pets, but this usually only takes a few hours upon arrival, and then pets are free to go home.
Here are the main steps you need to follow according to the latest UK pet import regulations:
Before anything else, your dog must be microchipped. The microchip must meet ISO standards 11784 and 11785, and the microchipping should be done by a qualified individual such as a vet, a vet nurse, or someone trained in microchipping.
If your pet was tattooed with an identification number on or before 3 July 2011 and all the requirements are met, a microchip may not be necessary.
If the microchip cannot be read or can only sometimes be read, you must take additional steps. If the microchip cannot be read, you must repeat the preparation process, including rechipping, revaccination, and new blood tests. If the microchip can only sometimes be read, your vet can rechip your pet and record the necessary information in the pet passport.
Your dog must be vaccinated against rabies after being microchipped. If the microchipping and vaccination are not done in the correct order, the vaccination will need to be done again.
When planning your dog's travel, use an approved route and check with your travel company about their pet travel policies. If your dog is traveling with someone else, you must authorize this in writing.
If you're planning to sell, rehome or transfer your dog's ownership, if your dog is arriving more than 5 days before or after you arrive, or if you're bringing more than 5 pets, there are additional rules you must follow.
If these procedures are not correctly followed, your dog may be put into quarantine for up to 4 months or refused entry.
As you can see, there's much to arrange for your pet's move. At PetRelocation, we're here to help you navigate this process. You can fill out our online consultation form if you're interested in our services.
Our website also has a wealth of information about bringing pets to the UK and other pet travel topics.
Thanks for your question, and good luck with your trip!
PetRelocation Team