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Pets Travel Scheme
Travelling with your Assistance Dog
The Pets Travel Scheme, allowing dogs to be taken out or brought into the UK to and from certain countries, has been running for over three years and the list of eligible countries is being regularly up-dated.
Click on the address below for full details of the scheme, including information on quarantine laws:
www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/pets/index.htm
TIPS:
- Before making a booking, check with your preferred transport company about the cost and what all the procedures of travelling with your guide/hearing dog will entail. Some ferry companies will only allow Assistance Dogs to travel if they remain in a car.
- To avoid quarantine, make sure you travel on an approved route with an approved transport company.
- Be aware that a long journey may not be appropriate for your dog. You will need to consider whether your dog can cope with such a journey before finalising your arrangements.
- Do not sedate your dog or give it any medication not provided by your vet, as it might be dangerous to its health, particularly if travelling by air.
- For the latest information before travelling, e-mail: quarantine@animalhealth.gsi.gov.uk (please include your postal address and a day time telephone number), contact your own veterinary surgeon or ring the Pet Travel Scheme Helpline: +44 (0)870 241 1710 (Monday to Friday - 8am to 6pm UK time). There is also a minicom/textphone number for the deaf and hard of hearing: 0845 300 1998. Fax: +44 (0) 1245 458749
- You can find out more information about traveling overseas with your dog by visiting the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association website at:
"Preparation of UK Guide Dogs and Other Assistance Dogs for International Travel" which can also be downloaded from their website from: www.guidedogs.org.uk
(Last Updated: 26-01-2009)