UK PETS Scheme
Readers will be interested to know of a change in status of T&T with regards to the movement of dogs and cats to the United Kingdom.
In the past, all dogs/cats entering the UK had to spend a period of six months in quarantine. I am pleased to say that this is no longer the case as T & T has been declared a rabies free zone and now falls under the ‘Pet Travel Scheme’. In this scheme if you prepare your dog/cat in the correct manner it will not have to go into quarantine.
Under the new DEFRA rules you must follow these guidelines:-
- Your pet must be micro chipped (A method of permanently recording its identity)
- It needs to be vaccinated against rabies (your dog must be at least 3 months old)
- A blood test needs to be done by an EU Recognised Blood Testing Laboratory to measure the level of anti-bodies against rabies.
- You will also need to wait 6 months from the time the blood was drawn from your pet before it can enter the UK
Everything must be done in the above order
- Tick & Tapeworm treatment needs to be done between 24-48 hours before you check your pet in for the flight departure to UK
- Lastly, your pet has to travel on an approved route to the UK
Basically, if you know well enough in advance of your departure date to the UK this new ruling means that your pet no longer has 6 months in quarantine. However if you find your departure more imminent, the TSPCA Tobago Branch for a reasonable fee would be happy to board your pet for any remaining time before its departure and organize the tick & tapeworm requirement and ensure its final departure from Tobago.
For more information on this scheme a fact sheet is available at the Shelter for your perusal or on the DEFRA site.
Please contact the Shelter at Friendsfield Rd Tel. 639-2567 if you require our assistance.
Andrea Cochran
Secretary TSPCA Tobago
June 2006
