Pet Passport and rabies jab

xxx999xxx replied on 10/04/2016 14:01

Posted on 10/04/2016 14:01

We have our first dog and would like to take him to France this Summer. I googled 'per pasport' and looked at the advice on Money Supermarket which includes this

'Vitally, start organising your pet’s trip at least seven months before you leave, as your pet can’t re-enter the UK within six months of having a blood test, and this has to be done at least a month after the rabies vaccination. '

This seems contrary to info on other sites (I'm sure I;veen 21 days quoted somewhere), so wondered if anyone can clarify the lead time for me.

Metheven replied on 10/04/2016 14:40

Posted on 10/04/2016 14:40

Money Supermarket is not the ideal site for info, much better to use the 'gov' site for more detailed information.

France is in the EU so no blood test is required, 'Money Supermarket' is referring to outside of the EU for returning or entering.

The 21 days is the minimum waiting time after the Rabies injection at your UK vet before travel out. All you will need on return to the UK is the worming within 1 to 5 days of travel back.

Hurl replied on 10/04/2016 20:08

Posted on 10/04/2016 20:08

Please be assured as an owner of a pet on his third passport! nothing could be more easy than taking he or she with you.

Basic rules before going 21 days is the new rule. When returning check that your nominated vet has time and date stamped the relevant bits in the passport.  Have witnessed refusal to board ferries when ommitted.....and you may be able to save money by purchasing drontal online beofore you depart; depends if your pet is co-operative in taking, if he or she needs jab then fee jumps.  Look up a vet of choice before you go (online) and you now have up to five days before touching base in the UK in which to visit the vet.  Would also advise overnight crossings as, he/she probably sleeps overnight at home, so no problem in van or caravan and you don.t need to check on them.  If motorhoming build up the hours left alone in van; i.e. one > 5 or more at a time, leave water, ventilation, they soon acclimitise.

Pippah45 replied on 16/04/2016 14:35

Posted on 16/04/2016 14:35

I have just been to a delightful vet in Brittany for the wormers and PP stamp for my return on Monday.  The important thing to remember is the timing of the rabies.  No return to the uk under  21 days from the rabies jab which can't be done at the same time as the other regular ones.  As the others have said the blood test no longer applies - that went out just before I first travelled with mine about 3 years ago. 

All the ports I have left uk from have given me the scanner to find the micro chip so it's not a bad idea to note where the chip is.  Returning has varied for me but I think at Roscoff I will have to walk them to the terminal building for PP check and they should be muzzled.  I leave mine in the caravan for the crossing with the blinds down which is how I leave them on a site.  They don't feel obliged to guard their space that way as they would guard the car they can see out of so they are more peaceful IMO.

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