Pets Passports
Going on holiday is an exciting time for everyone, but sometimes it can mean leaving behind a loved one-your pet. With the introduction of the PETS Passport Scheme however, going abroad without your furry friend has become a thing of the past. It is not an easy arrangement to organise however and many factors should be considered before you decide to go through with it. It is not simply a case of bringing your pet on to the plane as many regulations have to be met before permission for the animal to travel can be granted.
The PET Passport Scheme allows animals to travel without having to undergo the usual six month quarantine period. Thinking ahead is the key to hassle free travel with your pet. There are three main things you will need to do before travel. Firstly, your cat, dog or ferret will need to have a blood test from the vet. They will then have to have a rabies vaccination. Following this a six month wait is required to ensure that the injection was successful. For identity purposes, your pet will then need to have a microchip put into its skin. If after the six months the results are successful, your vet will then be able to issue your pet with an EU passport making it eligible for travel. These health rules apply only to dogs, cats and ferrets. Other animals do not require a microchip or a rabies injection but are still able to travel under the scheme. As well as this, animals are required to have been treated for ticks and tapeworms 24 to 48 hours prior to check in. Ensure that you organise this with the vet in advance to be certain of having an appointment.
Your pet’s health is not the only thing to think about prior to departure however. Not all airlines have the same rules and regulations when it comes to travel with animals and it is worth checking with individual airlines as to what their rules are. As a general rule, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic both allow cats and dogs to travel as either hand luggage or in the hold. Most cheap flight airlines do not allow pets to travel in the cabin. You must also ensure that your animal is transported in a comfortable kennel. If you are carrying your pet with you on board then the kennel must be small enough to fit under the seat in front of you but must still give the animal enough room to lay down, sit up and move around. The cage must be well ventilated on each side and there must be a constant supply of water available. It is also usually a regulation from most airlines that animals must have been fed within 4 hours of travel. If your pet is travelling as cargo it will need to have the same kennel requirements as an animal travelling as hand luggage. The conditions will be well regulated by the airline and conditions are usually kept quite dark to ensure that your pet can sleep through the journey. The temperature will be kept as comfortable as possible but it is worth noting that if you are planning to travel during the warmer months, airlines will not allow pets to fly if temperatures exceed 85 degrees Farenheit at any point in the journey.
On arrival at your destination ensure that you give your pet plenty of space to get used to its new surroundings. It may still be a little uneasy from the journey so make sure that you give it lots of comfort and allow it to explore its new territory. If your pet falls ill at any point after travelling ensure that you take it to the vet as soon as possible to ensure that it is not related to travelling or the change in climate.
Although there are a lot of things to organise when taking your pet abroad, if you make sure that you are organised then it will result in a hassle-free trip and an enjoyable holiday with your pet.