The UK PETS permits free movement of pet cats and dogs between UK and the countries of the European Union and a number of approved rabies-free islands, subject to completion of the following treatment:

1. microchipping which can be done anywhere.

2. then revaccination any time after chipping by an approved vet in any approved country.

3. then successful blood testing at any time after the vaccination by an approved lab (of which there are a number in those EU countries and two in the USA)

4. followed by a wait of 6 months from the date the sample was drawn, which must be spent in an approved country.

The Ministry in UK, DEFRA, is presently considering the arguments made by the US Centre of Disease Control and is currently considering a RISK ASSESSMENT. The Minister has already issued a positive statement (see North America page on our website) on 1 Jul 2002 and is now expected to make a final decision in late September. We fully expect him to approve NA inclusion in UK PETS and give a start date that we hope will be no later than 1 Jan 2003.

In the meantime, there is nothing to stop NA pet owners arranging for their pets to travel to an approved country, undergoing the qualification process and waiting the 6 months in there.

Similarly owners can prepare their pets in North America with a view to travelling when NA is included (see Q&A on the NA page). However, you should note that once blood sampled, the pet MUST NOT LEAVE NORTH AMERICA AT ALL BEFORE COMING TO UK.

However, there is a further complication due to the fact that, additionally, the EU is planning to introduce a similar PETS scheme. The Commission’s proposal has now been approved by Ministers and submitted the European Parliament. It is most likely to come into effect in the Autumn of 2003. See North America page for details.

The EU scheme differs from the UK scheme in that it will demand that the blood sample may not be drawn until 30 days after the re-vaccination and then, for countries which are still rabies endemic a wait of THREE months will be necessary after a blood sample is drawn.

Under the EU proposals the UK, Republic of Ireland and Sweden have been given a derogation to continue with their existing regulations for a period of five years. I.E. the UK will continue to demand a wait of 6 months from blood sampling and will not insist on the 30 day delay between vaccination and blood sampling.

DEFRA have issued a Q&A paper which explains that owners may start preparing their pets now at their own risk. I.E There may possibly be some changes in the envisaged protocol for NA inclusion but we feel this is most unlikely. For the sake of a few dollars it seems sensible for those eager to move as soon as possible to go with what we know.

When rabies free islands were being considered for inclusion (e.g. Australia) a number of our members went ahead and carried out these preparations in advance, in the expectation that the goalpost would not be moved and that the same rules would be applied to them as were applied to Europe. They were, and the pet owners were ready to move the day their island was approved and included.

If you wish to travel to UK only we recommend you comply with the requirements above. If however you envisage at some stage travelling to countries in the EU/Europe it would be sensible to wait 30 days between (re-)vaccination and blood sampling. You would thus be in compliance with both the UK and the EU PETS schemes if North America is categorised as a Rabies Endemic country (worst case and unlikely).