The Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) is now operating in Australia, following a successful pilot stage in 2000. This scheme applies to pet dogs and cats wishing to enter the United Kingdom and eliminates the need for lengthy stays (previously around 6 months) in quarantine after entering the UK. In order to qualify for the exemption, animals must comply with the following pre-export conditions:

Stage One:

  1. Be fitted with an International Standards microchip (ISO)
  2. Vaccinated against the rabies virus
  3. Booster rabies vaccination 4 weeks after initial shot
  4. Blood tested with a successful rabies antibody status 4 weeks after booster vaccination

Stage Two:

  1. Obtain an official PETS certification that all pre-export requirements have been met
  2. Obtain certification that the animal has been treated for tapeworm and ticks
  3. Obtain a Hendra Virus Declaration (cats only) from Manuka Veterinary Hospital at the time of Final Health Inspection

Microchip Identification

All animals must be fitted with a microchip prior to any other pre-export treatment. This microchip must conform to the ISO (International Standards Organisation) standard. This ensures that the microchip can be read successfully by a standard microchip reader when the animal undergoes export checks pre and post travel.

Rabies Vaccination

Vaccination against the rabies virus can take place anytime after the animal has been fitted with an ISO microchip. The animal must be scanned for its microchip details prior to the administration of the vaccine. This is to confirm the identity of the animal and to ensure the correct microchip details are recorded on the vaccination certificate. If an animal is vaccinated against rabies before it is fitted with an ISO microchip, the animal will have to be microchipped and then re-vaccinated.

Blood Testing

Animals must be vaccinated against rabies and then four (4) weeks later a follow up booster rabies vaccination is now also necessary. A further four (4) weeks after the booster shot, a blood test is required to ensure that the vaccine has given your pet sufficient protection against the rabies virus. The blood sample must be taken by the same AQIS accredited veterinarian that administered the rabies vaccine and microchip.

Blood testing for animals taking part in the UK Pet Travel Scheme must be performed at a laboratory which is recognised by the UK Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA). The blood samples must be sent off for testing to an approved laboratory and the results are usually received in approximately 2-3 weeks from the date of testing.

There is then a six month wait from the date that the blood sample is taken, provided the result is successful, to the time that the PETS Certificate can be issued. The antibody status for a successful blood result should be greater than 0.5 IU, which is usually achieved after the 1st rabies vaccination. However, the manufacturer recommends a booster vaccination to avoid delays with additional vaccinations and testing should the 1st vaccination fail.

Treatment against Ticks and Tapeworm

Treatment against ticks and tapeworm must be carried out not less than 24 hours and not more than 48 hours prior to embarkation. Treatment must be carried out using the specified products, dose rates and manufacturer's instructions. An AQIS accredited veterinarian must carry out these treatments. A veterinary treatment certificate can then be issued.

Declarations

All animals must have a Residency Declaration signed by either the owner or the agent for the animal/s, stating that the animal/s has been resident in Australia for 6 months and has not travelled outside the country within that time. This form is supplied to the owner/agent by Manuka Veterinary Hospital at the time of the Final Health Inspection.

Cats that have been resident in Australia must also be accompanied by a certificate which confirms that at no time has the animal/s been on a holding where the Hendra Virus has been confirmed during the 60 days prior to departure. This certificate is also supplied by Manuka Veterinary Hospital at the time of the Final Health Inspection.

PETS Certificates

Only animals with an official PETS certificate can enter the UK under the Pet Travel Scheme. This certificate will only be issued if all pre-export veterinary requirements have been followed successfully. It will only be valid for a specific period of time and will expire on the date that the animal's rabies vaccination booster is due - 12 months after the original injection. The PETS certificate will be issued through your AQIS accredited veterinarian.

Animal Export Protocols

All exporting countries require their own separate pre-export veterinary requirements to be completed prior to export. These requirements are separate from the Pet Travel Scheme. Once these requirements are finalised, an official Animal Health Certificate can be issued. Some countries also require separate import permits to be obtained through the country of destination before permission to export is granted. For further information on the PETS scheme, go to the UK DEFRA website.