Brexit could mean added hassle for travelling pets

WITH discussions ongoing about Brexit and what kind of deal we are going to achieve, it is worth remembering that our pets will be affected, too.

For many years, travelling between member states of the EU with your dog, cat or ferret has been controlled by the Pet Travel Scheme.

Practically speaking, this meant pets had to be micro-chipped, vaccinated against rabies and have a pet passport issued by an official veterinary surgeon (most of whom work in regular practices).

Additionally, there was a requirement that dogs returning to the UK had to be administered a tapeworm treatment in the presence of a vet, between one and five days before travelling. This was to prevent the nasty tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis from occurring in the UK.

Unfortunately, in 2012, the politicians removed the compulsory treatment of dogs for ticks, for reasons best known to themselves. The result has been the appearance of foreign ticks carrying exotic diseases hitherto unknown in Britain.

After Brexit, we are not too sure what will happen. It is possible that things might remain the same (though I would hope the Government would push for the reinstatement of the tick legislation before we are overrun by the things).

It is likely, however, that there will be some change. Possibly the worst-case scenario would involve the UK being viewed as a “third country”.

If this were to happen, then pets would have to be vaccinated against rabies and have a blood test taken at least 30 days afterwards. If the result was good, then travel could be undertaken from three months after the date of the blood sample.

A visit to your vet from 10 days before travel would be needed to obtain a health certificate, which would be valid for four months of touring Europe.

Animals that previously have been vaccinated and had boosters within the correct time, and have had a blood sample done, would not need the further blood test. (A good blood result within the lifetime of the properly vaccinated pet would suffice.)

Since we are expected to leave the EU on March 29, 2019, anyone who wants to travel soon thereafter must act now to get a blood sample done, even if your pet passport is up to date, so speak to your vet.

Also keep an eye on www.gov.uk/guidance/pettravel-to-europe-after-brexit for up-to-date information.

Maybe it will all work out in the end…

There is no dog show news this week.