Move Your Pet United Kingdom

Leave the details to us!

"No quarantine for pets entering the UK." Sounds fantastic! Yet there is a myriad of details to attend to before Fido, the kitty, or the ferret, are ready to leave for their flight to the United Kingdom.

Pets have always flown to the UK as manifest and booked air cargo. DEFRA regulations do not permit pets in the passenger cabin.

To avoid delays and unexpected short-term quarantine, we follow these six steps in this order:

1. Microchip the pet for identification purposes with a 15-digit ISO chip
2. Certify a current rabies vaccination. If your pet enters the UK with a current 3-year rabies vaccination which is more than one year old, then additional documentation will be required. Please inquire for details.
3. At least 21 days after the most recent rabies vaccination, book an appointment with your veterinarian to issue an international pet health certificate. Your veterinary appointment for the international health certificate must be within 10 days of flight arrival in the UK.
4. The next step is USDA export endorsement.
5. Dogs must be treated for internal parasites within 24-120 hours before flight arrival.
6. There are no requirements for treating dogs, cats or ferrets for external parasites.

There is no longer a requirement for the rabies antibody test (FAVN-OIE) or for six months to pass after the blood test before pets enter the UK from the USA.

Pet import into the UK is ever-changing

Exiting the European Union seems to be changing UK policy. Whether your pet is going to the UK for the first time or your pet has her own UK Pet Passport, Air Animal carefully tracks changes. We know and understand the language and sequencing of the DEFRA Pet Travel Scheme. We'll take care of all the details including which ID microchip to use, timing the rabies vaccinations and issuing the Pet Travel Certificate with an accredited veterinarian.

Please register with a local veterinarian near your new home to keep your pet's rabies vaccination up to date. Veterinarians typically send reminder notices when vaccinations are due. If another move is in your future, you and your pet will be ready.

DEFRA's Pet Travel Scheme allows for dogs, cats, and ferrets to enter the UK quarantine-free as long the entire protocol is followed. Air Animal's experienced UK pet moving specialists can assist you. Pet moving made easy ^®. That's our focus, our passion and our promise.