What do I have to do if I move to the UK with my pet?

Question

I live in Spain, and I am planning to get a dog. The problem is that I after a year, I may move due to work, maybe back to the UK. I know there is no problem with moving around Europe with your pet, but when going to the UK, will I have to leave my beloved pet in a kennel, over there, for quarantine? Is there any other way of doing this? Thanks

Answer 1

The best way to correctly answer your question is to email the DEFRA pets help center in England.

It is their job to know what the specific requirements are into the country from each individual location.

You can completed the entire quarantine procedure in your own home, there are just test that have to be done in an exact order that may differ slightly between each country.

The test are lengthy and costly, not to mention import fee and the ridiculous cost to ship the dog (shipping cost alone may force you to delay buying a dog until you are actually in England) I am in the process of getting two puppies prepared to ship to Scotland (currently ALL dogs have to fly into London, regardless of where the final destination may be)
Shipping cost are $539.00, cost of required airline kennel $50.00, import fees $135.00, microchip, rabies, basic and required shots, over $200.00, kennel fees at airport $135.00, health certificate required by airline $50.00, European required USDA health certificate $125.00
These are fees PER DOG as you can see shipping related fees will reach $1,300.00 very quickly.

The Pets Helpline will only give you the correct order to have your pet prepared to enter Europe without having to go into quarantine, NOT what it will cost. That is why I listed the above fees. You may have to cut and paste, as it is an email connection and not an actual site:
[e-mail]

The DEFRA site is: Just be prepared, it is a terror to comprehend!!!!!
http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/index.htm

Good luck

Answer 2

if the dog will be under 10 pounds, it can be with you on the plane...like under your seat in a cage or on your lap (depends on if the people let you. If it is over 10 (or 8 im not sure) pounds, it has to be at the bottom of the plane. I took my dog ALL THE WAY from the czech republic to California and he had to be at the bottom of the plane, it was sad but we made it. It was a 14 hour flight! You usually give your dog a sleeping pill you get from the vet that will put it to sleep for around 5 hours (depends on how strong the pill is) and that way it has less stress.

Answer 3

My daughter took her dog over to Spain and then back again. The dog had a pet passport... and she took it out there by car and the returned by Plane,, and she had to go into quarantine

Answer 4

The UK has quarantine in place because we are rabies free & want to keep it that way. I'd say really not to get a dog until you settle down somewhere permanently.

Answer 5

if you move your pet has to be quarantined before its allowed in the UK it varies for each pet it could be 1-6 months

Answer 6

I have a cat and I'm an entertainer. What I do when I have to leave for the summer is find a friend who likes my pet and leave it with her. You should do that too.

Answer 7

u can get a ticket for ur pet thats all u have to do if ur free u can get a ticket for ur pet!!!!