Importing a dog
Discussion
Hi, This is something I can probably help with. 
Basically in the UK there is a scheme called PETS for Dogs and Cats (and ferrets!) which allows the transport of certain animals between states without needing to spend 6 months in quarantine. PETS applies to All EU countries, and certain non-EU countries / territories. If the country isn't listed by DEFRA on the PETS scheme, or the animal doesn't meet all of the requirements for entry under the PETS scheme, it will have to be quarantined for 6 months.
The short version: read the DEFRA site, and use a DEFRA approved transport agent like James Cargo and you'll have no problems provided it's from one of the approved countries / territories (if it's not, I'd be really questioning whether it's worth it, both for you and the animal as it'll be quarantined for 6 months). It's a lot less hassle letting an agent do it in all honesty, but you still need to be aware of the procedure.
Here's a list of countries / territories from outside the EU http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets/pets/travel/...
The procedure is:
Get the dog microchipped by a local vet, once that's done it needs all it's vaccinations to be done and up to date, and it needs a blood test. Worth noting the blood test MUST reference the number on the microchip, and it's got to be spot on. No biggie, but you need to make sure everything is right before you bring the animal in. This forms the basis of it's Pet Passport. To say the UK authorities can be anal about this stuff is a massive understatement so make sure it's right. Tick and Tapeworm will need to be done before the animal is checked in ( I think it's got to be done between 24 and 48 hours of checking in, would have to check that one) depending on where it's coming from.
Once this is all done you need an IATA approved transit container. An agent will supply one, they're not cheap for what they are but an approved cargo company will check and refuse them if they don't comply. I'd suggest you put a bit of carpet in it as well as a bowl of water (which from experience will end up everywhere else other than the bowl).
You'll also need an approved transport company to bring it in for you (otherwise it goes in quarantine). As said, you can use a 3rd party company to do everything for you, it's a lot less effort and you don't have to do much paperwork. If you go with an agent the chances are it'll be quicker too, you just need to do the veterinary stuff beforehand and they'll take over from there a day or so prior to transit.
James Cargo are one of the more popular UK DEFRA approved carriers, and I think I'm right in saying they'll oversee the job lot for you. I will say that on one occasion we found the animals hadn't received any water, but that was the carrier's fault not JC's. For animal stuff they're great. For everything else I'd have to recommend my company ( *ahem* www.rayfieldexports.com
) but we don't offer an animal cargo service.
Hope this helps. Feel free to drop me a line via my profile if you need any help with it.
Cheers,
Stu
Basically in the UK there is a scheme called PETS for Dogs and Cats (and ferrets!) which allows the transport of certain animals between states without needing to spend 6 months in quarantine. PETS applies to All EU countries, and certain non-EU countries / territories. If the country isn't listed by DEFRA on the PETS scheme, or the animal doesn't meet all of the requirements for entry under the PETS scheme, it will have to be quarantined for 6 months.
The short version: read the DEFRA site, and use a DEFRA approved transport agent like James Cargo and you'll have no problems provided it's from one of the approved countries / territories (if it's not, I'd be really questioning whether it's worth it, both for you and the animal as it'll be quarantined for 6 months). It's a lot less hassle letting an agent do it in all honesty, but you still need to be aware of the procedure.
Here's a list of countries / territories from outside the EU http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets/pets/travel/...
The procedure is:
Get the dog microchipped by a local vet, once that's done it needs all it's vaccinations to be done and up to date, and it needs a blood test. Worth noting the blood test MUST reference the number on the microchip, and it's got to be spot on. No biggie, but you need to make sure everything is right before you bring the animal in. This forms the basis of it's Pet Passport. To say the UK authorities can be anal about this stuff is a massive understatement so make sure it's right. Tick and Tapeworm will need to be done before the animal is checked in ( I think it's got to be done between 24 and 48 hours of checking in, would have to check that one) depending on where it's coming from.
Once this is all done you need an IATA approved transit container. An agent will supply one, they're not cheap for what they are but an approved cargo company will check and refuse them if they don't comply. I'd suggest you put a bit of carpet in it as well as a bowl of water (which from experience will end up everywhere else other than the bowl).
You'll also need an approved transport company to bring it in for you (otherwise it goes in quarantine). As said, you can use a 3rd party company to do everything for you, it's a lot less effort and you don't have to do much paperwork. If you go with an agent the chances are it'll be quicker too, you just need to do the veterinary stuff beforehand and they'll take over from there a day or so prior to transit.
James Cargo are one of the more popular UK DEFRA approved carriers, and I think I'm right in saying they'll oversee the job lot for you. I will say that on one occasion we found the animals hadn't received any water, but that was the carrier's fault not JC's. For animal stuff they're great. For everything else I'd have to recommend my company ( *ahem* www.rayfieldexports.com
) but we don't offer an animal cargo service. Hope this helps. Feel free to drop me a line via my profile if you need any help with it.
Cheers,
Stu
Edited by Stu R on Monday 22 November 22:10
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