Bringing Your Pet to the UK
If you are travelling to the UK and want to bring your pet with you, several requirements must be met. The requirements vary depending on where you are travelling from but these are the main requirements to be aware of (rules apply for dogs, cats and ferrets):
- Your pet must have a microchip
- You must obtain a pet passport or health certificate for your pet
- Your pet must have been vaccinated against rabies
- If travelling from a non-listed country, a blood test is also required in addition to the rabies vaccination
- Dogs must have had a tapeworm treatment
- Dogs must not be on the banned breed of dog for Great Britain
- Your pet must be arriving in the UK within 5 days of you arriving
- You must complete a declaration to state that you are not selling or transferring ownership of the pet.
If you do not follow these rules, then your pet could be put into quarantine for up to 4 months or could be refused entry if travelling by sea. Bringing a banned dog breed into the UK could result in the dog being destroyed, so it is important to check the banned dog breed list.
The rules are in place to keep pets and British citizens safe and healthy, and to help control the sale of pets coming into the UK.
Obtaining a pet passport
To enter the UK with a pet, you will need to obtain a pet passport that lists the treatments it has had, including vaccination records and rabies blood test. Pet passports are issued by vets and must include:
- Ownership details
- Description of pet
- Details of any markings or identification
- Vaccination against rabies
- Rabies blood test (if travelling from a non-listed country)
- Details for the vet who issued the passport
- Tapeworm treatment
Transport options
You will need to check with your travel provider what their rules are regarding travelling with your pet. Not all airlines allow pets to travel, while some airlines will allow you to transport your pet in the aircraft hold. There are very few airlines that allow pets to travel in the cabin around the world and for UK airlines, only service dogs are usually allowed in the cabin.
Many people find travelling by the Eurotunnel the easier way to travel with pets. The journey from Calais to Folkestone takes 35 minutes and your pet stays in the comfort and safety of your vehicle with you.
Another option is to travel by ferry and some ferry companies allow you to leave your dog in the car, while some offer pet-friendly cabins. You should research the most suitable way for you to travel to the UK and check all of the requirements with your specific travel company.
When you are travelling with your dog in a vehicle, it is important to ensure that they have a safe and comfortable journey, with a quality transit box or cage. View our range of transit solutions and other travel accessories for bringing your pet to the UK.
