TRANSPORTING YOUR PET FROM RUSSIA TO THE UK UNDER THE PET

TRAVEL SCHEME

 

To enter UK from Russia without quarantine a pet must, in this order, be micro chipped, vaccinated against rabies and blood tested. It must also be issued with a pet passport and treated against ticks and tapeworms.

 

Your pet must not have been outside Russia the 6 calendar months immediately before travelling to the UK and must enter the UK using an approved transport company and route.

 

PREPARING YOUR PET

 

Step 1: The microchip

 

Your pet must first be fitted with a microchip. We recommend that it meet ISO Standard 11784 or Annex A to ISO Standard 11785. If the microchip does not meet one of these Standards you must provide a reader that can read the microchip number at the time of any inspection.

 

Ask the person fitting the microchip to check that its number can be read before and after it has been fitted. Get your vet to read the microchip every time you visit.

 

Microchips can be fitted in both state and private veterinary clinics in Moscow.

 

Step 2: The rabies vaccination

 

•    When to vaccinate

 

Pets being prepared to enter the UK must be at least 3 months old before being vaccinated against rabies. They must be vaccinated after a microchip has been fitted. Get the vet to check the microchip number before the vaccination.

 

If your pet was vaccinated before the microchip was fitted, it will have to be vaccinated again. This is to make sure that it is correctly identified when vaccinated.

 

•    Vaccination record

 

When your pet is vaccinated, make sure that the vet accurately records the following details on its vaccination record and passport.

 

•    its date of birth/age          

•    the microchip number, date of insertion and its location in the animal

•    the date of vaccination            

•    the vaccine manufacturer, product name and batch number

•    the date by which the booster vaccination must be given (i.e. the "Valid until" date)

 

Step 3: The blood test

 

After being vaccinated, your pet must have a blood test to make sure that the vaccine has worked.  The blood test must be carried out at an EU approved laboratory.  There is currently only one in Russia: Veterinary Laboratory, 6 Zvenigorodskoye Shosse, telephone no. 259 2718 or 253 1473.

 

Ask the vet to read the microchip and to give you a signed record of the date the sample was taken that accurately shows your pet's microchip number.   Make sure your vet gives you a certified copy of the result, accurately showing the microchip number and the date the blood sample was taken, and keep it safe.

 

Your pet requires only one satisfactory blood test and 6 calendar months wait provided the subsequent rabies booster vaccinations are given by the required date. If your pet fails its blood test it must be blood tested again. Your vet will advise if it first needs to be re-vaccinated. The 6-month rule will apply.

 

Step 4: Documentation

 

After your pet has passed its blood test you must get an EU pet passport. This will show that your pet has been micro chipped, vaccinated against rabies and has had a satisfactory blood test. To enter the UK, the passport must also show a current treatment for ticks and tapeworms at the time of return.

 

Step 5: Treatment against parasites

 

Before your pet can enter the UK, it must be treated against ticks and tapeworms. You must not do it yourself. Make sure the vet reads your pet's microchip before treatment.

 

Your pet must be treated between 24 and 48 hours before being checked-in with an approved transport company to travel into the UK. The treatment must be given every time your pet travels to the UK.

 

The product used for the tick treatment must be licensed for use against ticks and have a marketing authorisation in the country of use. Tick collars are not acceptable.

 

The product used for the tapeworm treatment must contain praziquantel.

 

The treatments are to stop the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis and certain ticks entering the UK. These parasites can carry diseases which can infect other animals and humans causing illness and sometimes death.

 

•    Recording the treatment

 

After the treatment, the vet must fill in sections VI and VII of either the EU pet passport. The date and time of treatment (using the 24 hour clock), the name of the product used and its manufacturer must be shown. The vet must stamp and sign the passport. Make sure all these details are correctly recorded before you leave the vet.

 

TRAVELLING TO THE UK

 

The maximum number of all types of pet animals (not only dogs and cats) each person may bring into the EU from most non-EU countries is 5.

 

How to travel

 

It is possible to transport your pet to UK directly by British Airways (please make enquiries with BA Cargo on tel. 783-0593)

 

FURTHER INFORMATION

 

For further information, and details of how to transport your pet from Russia to other countries in the Pet Travel Scheme please visit: DEFRA-Pet Travel