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Pet Passports and the Rabies injection

A PETS passport relates to a certificate allowing
re-entry into the UK. It does not cover entry into any foreign country. The conditions to obtain a passport are as follows: -

1. Insertion of a valid microchip (some old microchips or some inserted by pet charities are not recognised).
2. Two rabies vaccinations given 2 – 4 weeks apart.
3. A blood test taken approximately one month after the first rabies
   vaccination. This gives a reading of the animal’s immunity to rabies
   infection. This must be of a certain level before a PETS Passport can be
   issued.
4. There is a six-month time-lapse from the date that the blood sample
   is taken before the PETS Passport becomes valid for UK re-entry.

Outward travel can proceed at any point after issue. In order to issue the
PETS Passport, the vet needs to examine the animal, check the microchip
and re-examine the rabies vaccination certificate.

Approximate total cost: £150.00

The PETS Passport is only valid until the date that the rabies booster is due. In
the UK, this is three years from the previous vaccination. For animals resident in foreign countries, especially parts of Europe, annual rabies boosters are
required. With the new Passport the 2 years’ validity is acceptable for entry into all EU countries. Some non-EU countries allow entry on a passport, but may require an annual rabies vaccination. Specific advice on entry into Non EU
countries, and for clients wishing to spend prolonged periods of time abroad can be obtained from the Local Defra Office at Reading on 0118 959 6695. Often for non-EU countries additional export papers are required, which need to be applied for from Defra.