Pet Passports
You need to plan at least 8 months ahead if you want a passport for your pet. The protocol for obtaining a passport is as follows:
- Firstly your pet must be microchipped
- A rabies vaccination is then given
- If your pet is very young or old, then a second rabies vaccination might be needed two weeks later
- A blood sample is taken about 3 weeks after the rabies vaccination to see if your pet has sufficent antibodies to rabies
Once the results are back from this test, and they confirm that your pet has the correct level of antibodies to rabies, then you can be issued with your passport. If your pet fails the blood test, then the vaccination protocol has to be repeated. It is important to realise that you cannot bring your pet back into the UK until at least 6 months have lapsed since the date of the blood test.
We advise that you contact DEFRA before taking your pet abroad so that you are aware of all the requirements, as it can vary between countries. Find out more at the DEFRA website.