Getting Your Pet Passport
You can't simply request one and have it issued on the spot. There is a very specific order of actions to be taken prior to getting your passport.
It will take approximately eight months until your passport is valid for re-entry in to the UK, so advance planning is absolutely essential.
Step 1- The Microchip
Your pet must be fitted with a microchip. This is done to ensure the reliable identification of your pet and will be checked against the number in your passport each time you have dealings with immigration officials or a Local Veterinary Inspector (LVI) reviews your pet passport.
Step 2 - The Vaccination Course
Your pet must be vaccinated against rabies. At Parkvets we perform two vaccinations fourteen days apart. This regime offers the best chance that your pet gains sufficient protection against rabies to qualify for its passport. (Dogs that are vaccinated only once more frequently fail their blood test causing unnecessary delays in obtaining the passport.)
The first vaccination can be done at the same visit as the microchip is fitted.
Step 3 - The Blood Test
To ensure the effectiveness of the vaccine a blood test is taken thirty days after the second vaccination. If this test is OK then the passport can be issued. The blood test can take a number of weeks to come back from a government authorised laboratory.
Step 4 - Your Passport is Issued
Once the vet* has seen the blood test results they can complete and issue your pet's passport. This involves one final check to certify your pet is free from rabies.
Parkvets employs a number of vets who are LVIs. Your appointments must be with an LVI throughout this entire process.
[Please note that the passport is sufficient to travel to many destinations in the world but some countries require further permits or certificates to be obtained. It is your responsibility to be aware of any additional conditions that may apply. Parkvets advise all clients thinking of traveling abroad to contact DEFRA and the consulate(s) of any country/countries they wish to travel to or through to ensure all requirements are met before departure from the UK.]
The Six Month Rule
Although your pet's passport will be valid for travel into many countries twenty one days after issue, your pet cannot come back into Britain for six months from the date when the blood sample (Step 3) was drawn. Therefore the total time it takes to get a full passport valid for re-entry into Britain is almost eight months.
Rabies Boosters
Your passport will remain valid as long as you have your rabies booster on time. Observe this date carefully as no delay is permitted. If your pet's vaccine lapses, even by a day your pet will have to undergo the entire process from the start. Under these circumstances the 6 month rule will be reapplied. Boosters are the responsibility of the pet owner. The rabies vaccination date is clearly marked on your pet passport.
Cost
The full cost of obtaining a pet passport is £319.20 and includes:
- One microchip
- Two rabies vaccines
- Rabies blood test
- Passport issue
- LVI fee
- Rabies free assessment
- The passport document
- All consultations and time involved in undertaking this process.
A discounted rate is available if your pet is already micro-chipped.
*All steps in the process must be performed by an LVI - a specially licensed vet.
Once you have a valid pet passport, the only cost involved in maintaining it is the rabies booster (provided this is done on time).
Related Links
PETS Homepage
Using Your Passport - Going Away
Using Your Passport - Coming Home
Protecting Your Pet Abroad
