Are you taking your pet on holiday abroad? do you want to know about pet passports? on this page, we give you the low-down on the basic requirements, eligible countries plus some general pet travel tips.

Eligible countries

The Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) means that when travelling from most European countries or some long-haul, rabies-free countries, some animals can be brought back into the UK without having to go through quarantine (note that some countries have certain exceptions, check the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for details).

European Countries within the Pet travel Scheme

• Austria
• Belgium
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Italy
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Malta
• Netherlands
• Poland
• Portugal
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden

Non European Countries within the Pet travel Scheme

• Andorra
• Antigua & Barbuda
• Aruba
• Ascension
• Australia
• Bahrain
• Barbados
• Bermuda
• Canada
• Cayman
• Faroe
• Fiji
• French Guyana
• French Polynesia
• Gibraltar
• Greenland
• Grenadines
• Guadeloupe
• Hawaii
• Hong Kong
• Liechtenstein
• Martinique
• Mauritius
• Mayotte
• Monaco
• Montserrat
• New Caledonia
• New Zealand
• Norway
• Reunion
• St Kitts & Nevis
• St Pierre & Miquelon
• St Vincent
• San Marino
• Singapore
• United Arab Emirates
• USA (mainland)
• Vanuatu
• Vatican
• Wallis & Futana

Steps to take

Your pet dog (including guide dogs) or cat must fulfil certain criteria before he or she travels, which must be done in the following order:

• be fitted with a microchip
• be vaccinated against rabies
• be blood tested
• be issued with an official PETS certificate
• be treated for tapeworm and tick - and have an official certificate to prove it
• you must sign a declaration of residency

Then, when the actual journey is taking place, your pet must enter or re-enter the UK on a route approved by PETS. For the latest information on this, visit the DEFRA website. On arrival, transport staff will check all your certification. If any checks fail, your pet is likely to either go into quarantine, or be returned to the country from which it has just come from.

Taking care of your pet

Help make your pet's journey as comfortable as possible by following these pointers:

• make sure your pet is as fit and healthy as possible to withstand the journey
• give them a light meal before they travel
• give your pet the opportunity to go to the toilet before it is put in its carrying container
• let your pet 'try out' the carrying container before the trip
• the carrying container should be well-ventilated, roomy enough for your pet to move around in, safe, and have adequate food and water for the journey, with easily-refillable containers for a long journey
• put a familiar-smelling cushion or rug in the container to help your pet settle down

For further information about pet health for your pet, visit the DEFRA or the RSPCA. website