Act now to travel with pets this Summer

The National Office of Animal Health advises pet owners who may want to take their pets on holiday this summer to see their veterinary surgeon now.

Welcoming the recent MAFF announcement of the start-date of 28 February for the pilot Pet Travel Scheme, NOAH Companion Animal Vaccine Group chairman, veterinary surgeon David Sutton says: "Getting your animal ready to travel under the scheme needs careful planning."

"There is a specific procedure to follow, and pet owners who want to travel abroad next summer with their pets should talk to their vet now" says Mr Sutton. "Under the scheme, dogs and cats must be microchipped, vaccinated against rabies, and then blood-tested 30 days later. Once the pilot scheme is in operation, owners will need to wait a statutory 6 months from having their animal blood tested before the animal can return to the UK. However, if the blood sample is obtained before the scheme starts, this additional 6 month period will not apply."

"In practical terms this means that to stand a chance of being eligible to travel during the main summer holiday period this year, pets should really be vaccinated now, and certainly no later than 26 January," he adds.

Details of the Pet Travel Scheme are available from MAFF helpline 020 8330 6835 or e-mail pets@ahvg.defra.gsi.gov.uk and website http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/default.htm.

7 January 2000

Notes for Editors

For further information contact Roger Cook or Alison Glennon at NOAH, tel. +44 (0)20 8367 3131, or visit the NOAH website.
The National Office of Animal Health was formed on 1 January 1986 to represent the UK companies which research, develop, manufacture and market licensed animal health products. The association has 36 corporate members and 11 associate members. In 1998 NOAH's members accounted for around 95% of the £384 million UK animal health market, with additional valuable exports.