Stressing about PETS scheme - a few more questions

The cats are flying to Heathrow on the 28th! Their Sky Kennels are on the way and I am taking them to the vet this week for a checkup and to have their APHIS 7001 and EC 998/2003 forms filled out.

Just a few last-minute questions....I am so anxious about messing this up!

1. I understand that the USDA vet has to certify the paperwork within 10 days of the cats flying - is this correct?

2. I thought I read somewhere that the EC 998/2003 form has to be double-sided (the form is 3 pages so this means one double-sided sheet and one single-sided sheet) but now I can't find this information anywhere - does anyone know if it really has to be double-sided?

3. What is this about the vets' signatures having to be in blue ink? Does this also mean the USDA vet? I'm going to FedEx the forms to the USDA vet so I don't really have control over what color pen he uses. Will he just KNOW to use blue ink?

4. The documents I have to bring with me for the cats are: 1) APHIS 7001 2) EC 998/2003 3) Rabies Vaccination Certificate 4) Titer results from the Kansas State lab, with microchip number noted. Am I missing anything?

5. The guy at the BA Pet Passport Desk said that no cargo, including pets, can be booked on a flight until 13 days before the flight leaves. The BA website says I have to "reconfirm" the pet booking 3-14 days ahead of the flight.  Has anyone flown with BA and know what the rule is?

6. Do the cats have to wear collars?

So yeah, I am freaking out about this. The mere thought of my kitties having to go into quarantine because I messed up on some minor detail makes me sick. 

I am getting a letter from the vet stating that the cats are in good health and OK to fly - but if you've had experience with BA and know of any other quirks about how they do things please let me know.

Thanks!

Do you HAVE to fly BA?  Virgin was cheaper and my dogs are booked to fly out on November 8th.  The Virgin people have been absolutely great to me!

They have to fly BA because Virgin only processes pets Monday through Thursday, and the cats HAVE to go on a Friday to arrive Saturday (long story).

Ahh, that stinks! 

If you are using PETS, the only thing I see missing is treating against ticks and tapeworms at least 24 but not more than 48 hours before travel. 

http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/pets/procedures/owners.htm

Maybe that is covered by one of the forms you listed? (Sorry, we have European Pet Passports so I'm not familiar with the forms from the US)   We are taking the ferry with our cats the day before your guys fly,on the 27th, so I totally understand freaking out about everything being in order!  I must go over the Defra website at least once a day, obsessing about what could go wrong.  In any case, good luck with the flight and move!

1. Yes they must be certified within ten days.

2.  I don't know, my vet had that all sorted for me and Continental Airlines helped as well.

3.  The color ink wasn't an issue for me, I think my USDA person knew what to do.

4.  Health Certificate and Tick and Tapeworm proof that was preformed 24-48 hours prior to flight, all this will be attached to each cat's kennel at the cargo/drop off point.

5.  That is correct, it shouldn't be an issue, just make sure on the morning of 13 days prior your first move is to phone them and book the flight.

6.  No animal should wear a collar in travel due to the risk of strangulation, etc.

I am not an expert, but I did go through this all in July.  Make sure your vet has gone through the checklist and run through your options with BA, if you are still worried I would call DEFRA to be sure.  One other thing, be sure the kennel for each cat is one size bigger than necessary, big fines if the UK finds them too small.  Best of luck and the worrying is a sign that you care deeply for them. 

Sorry for crosspost Mme K...

One more thing - at the top of the EC 998/2003 form it asks for the serial number of the certificate. Where does this come from? The APHIS 7001 form? 

Also, the USDA vet ONLY fills out the field in Section V labelled "Endorsement by the Competent Authority" right? My regular vet fills out the rest of Section V, correct?

Lastly, my regular vet can fill out/sign the paperwork more than 10 days prior to the flight - it's JUST the USDA vet that has to sign within 10 days, right???

Ugh!!

Anyone know about these things?

One more thing - at the top of the EC 998/2003 form it asks for the serial number of the certificate. Where does this come from? The APHIS 7001 form? 

I've looked at my paperwork and the certificate number on the EC998/2003 form matches the certificate number on the Aphis form 7001.

Also, the USDA vet ONLY fills out the field in Section V labelled "Endorsement by the Competent Authority" right? My regular vet fills out the rest of Section V, correct?

That's how my form looks.  Your vet (and especially the USDA vet) should know what to do.

2. I thought I read somewhere that the EC 998/2003 form has to be double-sided (the form is 3 pages so this means one double-sided sheet and one single-sided sheet) but now I can't find this information anywhere - does anyone know if it really has to be double-sided?

The form is only two pages.  I have heard that it should be double-sided.

3. What is this about the vets' signatures having to be in blue ink? Does this also mean the USDA vet? I'm going to FedEx the forms to the USDA vet so I don't really have control over what color pen he uses. Will he just KNOW to use blue ink?

Call your USDA vet's office and ask them.  This will put your mind at ease more than us saying they should know what to do.

Hi, we're planning an 08/08 move to UK.  If I start the routine now of the microchipping, rabies testing, etc.  will it help keep our animals out of quarantine? 

Also, what has the overall price range been to ship animals.  We have a yellow lab - part of the family and aren't giving up, and a female cat 7 years, also not giving up. 

We'll only be in the uK for 2 years. 

We're coming from Virginia and don't know yet where we will be.  Any advice in advance will be helpful. I'd love to get my ducks in a row before I ship my little duckies! 

Thanks,
Ginny

Hi, we're planning an 08/08 move to UK.  If I start the routine now of the microchipping, rabies testing, etc.  will it help keep our animals out of quarantine? 

You have a little over ten months, which is a good amount of time to get everything done.
Do you know the process and everything you'll need to do?  Feel free to ask any questions!

Just a comment about collars.  I usually transport animals with collars and halters (for the bigger ones) on.  You can buy quick-release versions at most places; any tugging, and off they come.  Collars are handy for holding additional ID.  My cat needs her bell on, too. 

And yes, 10 months is time to start thinking about the process.  You need 6-7 months, but no reason not to get the papers and do the microchip now.

ok the 10 day thing is getting confused here.

the within 10 days is for a health certificate, not the PETS stuff. DEFRA doensn't require a health certificate but your airline might.

the forms for DEFRA are valid for 4 months from the date of signature.