Pet Travel Scheme
Pet Travel Scheme.
If you wish to transport your pet out of the UK you will find all the information you need on the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs website. www.defra.gov.uk. The site is clearly laid out and has a 'quick link' to the Pet Travel Scheme. They have an excellent helpline in the UK which is open 8.30am to 5pm UK time it is 0870 241 1710.
Once you have discussed your intentions with Defra or you have visited their website and found the information you need, you must contact your local veterinary surgery in the UK. They will be able to discuss timing of the treatments and costs with you. Your pet will need to be vaccinated, blood tested, microchipped, be treated for parasites and your vet will need to complete the relevant documentation for the Pet Passport. Your vets have all the information and expertise at their fingertips, so use it.
The next step will be the transport requirements for you and your pet. Before booking your own flights you may wish to check with the airline what service they can offer for pet transportation and what sort of container you will need to provide. There are several ways of transporting your pet so you will need to look into this carefully to find the right one for your circumstances. BA offer an excellent service where your pet can accompany you on your flight. The pet travels in the hold and is charged as excess baggage. Other airlines require you to send your pets cargo.
Most important of all, ensure your information is current. Defra have been known to change the rules, so visit the website or call the helpline before you visit your vet.
It is not an easy business transporting our pets to and from Cyprus but we all know they are worth it! If anyone has any queries or would like help or someone to talk to about this then you can email David at heseltine45@cytanet.com. Just a note of caution, if you bring a pet to Cyprus and may want them to return to UK, at some time in the future, make sure you tell your Cyprus Vet and they will keep the rabies injections up to date. It is much cheaper and more convenient than letting it go out of date as you will have to start again and then wait 6 months before travel!