The Pet Travel Scheme (PETS)
If you wish to take your pet (mostly dogs or cats) abroad, and wish to return to the UK without the need for lengthy quarantine, you can get a 'pet passport'. The first requirement is to have an identichip implanted, followed by a vaccination against rabies. Then a blood sample is taken approximately one month later to check that sufficient antibody levels are present. If all the requirements are met, a pet passport can be issued. You may bring your pet back into the UK on this scheme no sooner than six months after the date of the rabies blood test sampling.
Implanting the chip is very similar to any other injection, and does not require sedation or anaesthetic. It can be done at the same visit as the rabies vaccination. There are certain health checks and treatments required around the time of your trip, some of which need to be done shortly before your return to the UK. The checks and treatments must be carried out and certified by a suitable vet near your point of departure. You should be aware that your pet may encounter some 'exotic' diseases and hotter temperatures in certain parts of Europe. Also be aware that the scheme can be a little bureaucratic. Your pet needs regular rabies vaccination boosters to keep the passport valid.
Implanting the ID chip, vaccinating for rabies, taking the blood sample and issuing of the pet passport can all be done at Fenton Vets.
Manufacturers of most vaccines (including the above) recommend that no more than one vaccine product is given at the same time, and that there should be a two week interval between different vaccines.
However, it is worth noting that this has been common practice for many years, with little or no reason to suggest that it poses any problems.
Visit http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/pets/index.htm for more information.