Traveling with pets to the UK is still a subject that generates a lot of doubts, as the block is one of the most demanding when it comes to receiving animals from other countries.
In addition to the documentation required for international travel with animals, and microchipping, they still require that the process be carried out by a cargo transport company.
So, in addition to organizing the documentation, tutors also need to look for companies that provide this type of service.
Now, if you want to know the step by step to travel with animals to England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, keep reading this article thatPETFriendly Turismo has prepared especially for you .
What to know before traveling with pets to the UK?
The UK has a number of requirements for receiving pets from other countries, including:
- Microchip
- Anti-rabies vaccine
- Serology
- Treatment against worms.
However, only one cargo company can transport pets between Brazil and the block. That is, your pet does not go with you in the cabin of the plane.
The following are all requirements for traveling with pets to the UK.
Microchip
The main requirement of the block is that your dog or cat has an identification microchip.
The animal must be implanted with the chip before receiving the rabies vaccine. On the other hand, if he already has the chip, he should be vaccinated again.
It is usually a vet or someone trained in animal implants who performs this application.
Anti-rabies vaccine
Brazil is not a rabies-free country, so to travel with pets to the UK it is necessary that the animal is vaccinated against the disease.
Still, the pet must be at least 12 weeks old before vaccination.
An inactivated vaccine or recombinant vaccine approved in Brazil must be used in immunization, according to the rules of the bloc.
All this information must be in the the animal’s passport or the International Zoosanitary Certificate (CZI).
In addition, the vaccine must be within the expiration date informed by the manufacturer.
Traveling with pets to the UK – Serology
Animals from the European Union or rabies-free countries can enter the UK 21 days after receiving the rabies vaccine.
However, in the case of pets from Brazil, they must first be tested for serology.
Thus, the examination must be performed 30 days after the application of the vaccine. In addition, a blood sample must be sent from the animal to an authorized testing laboratory. O São Paulo Zoonoses Laboratory is one of them.
People from other states should hire a veterinarian who knows the process, as he will need to send the exam documentation by post.
The result takes about two to three months to return to the recipient. Upon completion of this process, the veterinarian provides a copy of the test results.
Serology will be valid as long as rabies vaccination is up to date.
Deworming
To travel with dogs to England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, they must be treated for worms within 24 hours of departure.
The block requires that the active ingredient in the dewormer be Praziquantel or its equivalent effective against Echinococcus multilocularis tapeworm.
Hire a carrier
Different from countries like Portugal e Japan, your pet will not be able to travel with you in the cabin of the plane.
This is because the UK requires the traveler to hire a freight forwarder to handle the entire process.
You will also have to hire a local company, which will be responsible for receiving the animal, as well as taking care of its clearance and release at the destination, and then taking it to you.
Therefore, even if the tutor plans to arrive on the same day as the pet, the ideal is to have the contact and address of someone who can receive him in the UK.
The company will request all the animal’s documentation to carry out the transport process of your pet.
Documents required for traveling with pets to the UK
To travel with pets to the UK, you must be aware of all the original documentation required for transporting your dog or cat, such as
- Animal passport, with all its information;
- Vaccination card;
- Veterinary certificate;
- Certificate of implantation of the Microchip (with chip date prior to rabies vaccine date);
- Power of attorney with notarized signature.
Animal Passport
Although the issue this document is suspended because of the pandemic, it is made free of charge at the International Agricultural Surveillance Units (Vigiagro).
The animal passport is used to identify dogs and cats, as well as control vaccinations.
It replaces the CZI on international travel, and on domestic travel it replaces the health certificate issued by the veterinarian.
This document is provided for animals:
- Over 90 days old;
- Born in Brazil, or born abroad and definitively imported to Brazil;
- Created by tutors residing in Brazil ;
- Good health conditions attested by a veterinarian registered at CRMV-UF.
Learn all about the animal passport in this post made by PETFriendly Turismo for you.
International Animal Health Certificate
The International Animal Health Certificate is mandatory for the transit of dogs and cats between countries. When traveling to the UK it replaces the passport.
This document not only certifies the health conditions of the pets, but also confirms the application of the vaccines required by the country of destination.
To issue the CZI, it is necessary to schedule an appointment at any International airport, taking:
- Medical certificate of the animal;
- Vaccination record;
The Certificate is valid for 10 days.
Certificate of Health
Before traveling with pets to the UK, you need to take them to a vet to confirm they are in good health.
This consultation must take place after having the serology result in hand and three days before the flight.
However, the carriers of the destination request the certificate in advance so that they can file the animal’s release documents.
In other words, in practice, you take the animal to the consultation a week before the flight and ask him to put the date closest to the day of the flight.
This is the only way you will be able to send all the documentation to the chosen company in a timely manner.
The model of the valid certificate is provided by the contracted carrier. And the vet needs to follow it to the letter.
It must contain, in addition to the dates of application of the rabies vaccine and serology, information such as color and breed of the animal.
Traveling with pets to the UK – choosing the Airline
The UK requires people who wish to enter the country with animals to hire a freight transport company to carry out the process.
Therefore, no pets travel in the plane’s cabin, not even small ones. The only exception is for guide dogs.
Furthermore, only a few airlines are government approved to transport animals. Between Brazil and the United Kingdom, the companies that provide this service are Lufthansa, KLM Cargo and British Airways.
Similarly, it is necessary to pay attention to the airport of arrival, as only those in Edinburgh, Glasgow, London Heathrow and Manchester accept animals.
Airline Rules
It is essential that, when purchasing your ticket, you state that you intend to travel with pets to the UK and reinforce this notice the week of the flight.
Each airline nominates a company to transport your pet to the UK. In addition, each one has specific rules regarding the shipping box.
The kennel usually needs:
- Have the following dimensions: 68cm x 50cm x 48cm (length x width x height);
- Be strong enough to protect the animal throughout the flight;
- Have ventilation on all four sides;
- Must have a water pot, which needs to be secure, but not take up too much space in the kennel;
- Have enough space for the animal to stand up and turn around comfortably;
Does the UK require quarantine?
While the UK does not require all animals to be quarantined, those that do not have full documentation must be confined. And the deadline can reach up to four months.
The same goes for cases where they cannot read the microchip. If this ID is very old, it is worth changing it before planning a trip to the block
How long to plan a trip with pets to the UK?
If you plan to travel with pets to the UK, start planning your trip at least six months in advance.
Although the carrier helps to speed up the process, the tutor is responsible for implanting the chip, applying the anti-rabies vaccine, serology, deworming, among others.
But now, if you want a peaceful trip for you and your pet, the ideal is to count on the services of PETFriendly Tourism.
Our specialists organize the entire transport process from Brazil to the UK, as well as hiring a company to receive you at your destination.
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