Export Pet Dogs, Cats and Ferrets to the United Kingdom

1. Have your pet microchipped

Before any of the other procedures are carried out, your pet must be fitted with a FDX-B International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard microchip and reader, so that it can be properly identified.

Any microchip company can be used as long as the chip required by the importing country is met. It is up to the owner/veterinarian to ensure that the chip being used will conform.

For easy reference we have listed microchip companies that offer this service. You may choose a different provider so long as the above is met.

2. Have your pet vaccinated against rabies

After the microchip has been fitted your pet must be vaccinated against rabies by a veterinarian in accordance with the recommendations from the vaccine producer, and the vaccine must be approved by the World Health Organization (WHO). The rabies vaccination and revaccination, if necessary, must been carried out in accordance with the producer's recommendations.

3. Dogs and cats - Arrange for a blood test

After your pet has been vaccinated, a rabies antibody test must have been taken, which shows a result of antibodies of a least 0.5 IU/ml. It is recommended that the blood test should not be taken until at least 14 to 21 days have passed since the date of vaccination (please consult the datasheet provided as each rabies vaccine manufacturer advises in its datasheet for that vaccine the best time for a blood sample to be taken after the vaccination). Please note also that some other European Union (EU) member countries require a 30 day waiting period, so clients wishing to be eligible for other countries are advised to wait 30 days before having the blood test.

Only laboratories approved by the EU may be engaged (approved laboratories). If a re-vaccination is carried out in accordance with the recommendations of the producer, no second test is needed.

This testing is currently only available in North America from the following laboratory:

Request the Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization test (not the Rapid fluorescent focus inhibition (RFFIT) test)

It is recommended that the copy of the United States Department of Agriculture standing import permit accompany any samples to Kansas, therefore, the veterinarian must contact the above laboratory and request that a copy be faxed.

There is a 6 full calendar months waiting period after the first successful test from the date the blood was drawn, before entering the UK. If you cannot wait the 6 months, the pet will need to be quarantined for the balance of the time remaining of the 6 months.  You will need to contact Defra to arrange quarantine.

4. Before your pet enters the UK, have it treated against ticks and tapeworm

Your pet must be treated against ticks and a tapeworm between 24 - 48 hours before it is checked in for the journey to the United Kingdom.  Any licensed veterinarian can carry out the treatment.

To search for products which are registered and approved for use in Canada against ticks and fleas, please go to the Pest Management Regulatory Agency's Search Engine "Product Information": Under "Search Full Contents of E-labels" (at the bottom of the page), enter "Cats and dogs, not collar" for a listing of available products (please note that collars are not an acceptable form of treatment against ticks and fleas); or call 1-800-267-6315.

Products used for treatment against tapeworms must contain PRAZIQUANTEL as the active ingredient. To search for products which are registered and approved for use in Canada, please go to the Health Canada Drug Product Database. Please ensure you read the product label to ensure it can be used for dogs and/or cats.

Please ensure that the veterinarian rescans the microchip to ensure the number is correct and the chip is still readable.

5. Certification

A veterinarian authorised by the competent authority (licensed veterinarian) must provide all the pertinent information concerning identification and vaccination by completing the Veterinary Certificate.

Once all the steps above have been successfully completed, contact your local Canadian Food Inspection Agency Office to obtain an official endorsement by an official veterinarian (competent authority - CFIA veterinarian). The export certificate is available in PDF format only.

6. Fees for endorsement is $20.00 plus tax

7. Puppies, kittens and young ferrets

No exemptions exist for puppies, kittens, and young ferrets; they have to be vaccinated as outlined above.

For further information or clarification on these procedures, please contact the relevant CFIA Office for the province in which you reside.

8. Arrange for your animal to travel on an approved route

Pets travelling from Canada must enter the United Kingdom by air on approved route. You can view approved routes from Canada on the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs website.

If you choose a carrier from Canada to the United Kingdom that is not authorized to participate in the United Kingdom Pet Travel Scheme, you will need to arrange for your pet to be licensed into quarantine upon arrival in the United Kingdom and apply for early release.  If it can be confirmed that your pet meets all the necessary requirements of the Scheme it can be released within a few days. Please view the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for further details.

9. You also need to arrange for the carrier (airline in most cases) to review all your documents and approve your travel crate (you will want to check with the carrier at an earlier date to get the travel crate requirements).

10. It is the owner's responsibility to complete a form required by the HM Revenue and Customs. It is recommended that you download the form and take it with you to the United Kingdom. This form (C 5) can be accessed at HM Revenue and Customs.

11. Information for United States pet owners wishing to depart for the United Kingdom from Canada

The official Pet Travel Scheme certificate (which includes the Certification of Treatment against Ticks and Tapeworm) must be issued either entirely in the United States or entirely in Canada to meet legal requirements (for example, it cannot be issued in one country and endorsed in another country), however, the animal can be microchipped, vaccinated or blood tested in either the United States or Canada, with the 6 month waiting period being spent in either country, partly or wholly.

For further details, please contact the local CFIA Office in the province in which the airport that you will be using is located.