How to take a dog to England?

How to take a dog to England? - briefly

To bring your dog to England, you must follow specific guidelines set by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). Ensure your dog has a microchip, is vaccinated against rabies at least 21 days before travel, and obtains an animal health certificate issued by a certified vet within 10 days of entering the UK.

How to take a dog to England? - in detail

To successfully bring your dog to England, follow these steps:

1. Microchip and Vaccination: Ensure your dog is microchipped and vaccinated against rabies at least 21 days before travel. The rabies vaccine must be inactivated (not live). A blood test may be required if this is the first rabies vaccination or if the previous one was administered less than a year ago.

2. Pet Passport: Obtain an EU Pet Passport, which will be issued by your vet after the rabies vaccine and microchipping are completed. This document serves as proof of your dog's health status and vaccinations.

3. Tapeworm Treatment: Before entering England, your dog must be treated for tapeworm 1-5 days before arrival. The treatment must be administered by a vet and recorded in the pet passport.

4. Approved Routes: Travel via approved routes only. These include:

   • From an EU or listed country (such as Andorra, Gibraltar, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland, and Vatican City) with a pet passport.
   • From an unlisted country with an Animal Health Certificate (AHC), issued no more than 10 days before travel.

5. Hire an Approved Transporter: If you're not traveling with your dog yourself, hire an approved transporter to transport your pet safely and in accordance with regulations.

6. Check Specific Breed Restrictions: Some breeds are subject to specific rules or restrictions. Check the UK government's website for up-to-date information on these breeds.

7. Quarantine Period: If your dog does not meet all the entry requirements, it may have to spend 4 months in quarantine before entering England.

8. Notify DEFRA: Inform the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) of your intention to bring your dog into the country by completing an online form at least 5 days before arrival.

By following these detailed steps, you can ensure a smooth and compliant process for bringing your dog to England.