Really Big Problem here

yep. Aless, obviously, since she works for DEFRA, is right. No vax, no entry... full stop. No way around the rules for this one. Next step for you is the vax asap. Then the blood test, again, as soon as possible after the vax that the rules allow, then begin your 6 month wait. If you enter the UK before the 6 months is up I think you can do the rest of the quarantine in a kennel (meaning you may not have to do an entire 6 months. If you've done 2 months wait already at home you might be able to just do 4 here but I'm not totally sure)

This is a good example of everyone needing to know the rules themselves. Ultimately its you and not your vet who is responsible for knowing the rules. I'd suggest you become intimately familiar with the process so you don't get screwed again by the vet. You dictate to the vet what you want to happen, rather than relying on them to drive the process, and you shouldn't have any issues. [PS, I know this sounds snarky but I promise I don't mean it that way. Just trying to help you and others who are starting this process. This is the best piece of advice I can give about any immigration stuff whether its a person or a dog!]

This is very true.  Vets DO NOT have an inside track or know more than the layman.  We get e-mails from vets all the time, simply because they don't know either!  If in doubt, alwaysalwaysalways ASK.  Quarantine is an expensive, difficult procedure that should be avoided whenever possible.

If you enter the UK before the 6 months is up I think you can do the rest of the quarantine in a kennel (meaning you may not have to do an entire 6 months. If you've done 2 months wait already at home you might be able to just do 4 here but I'm not totally sure)

This is correct.

I'd suggest you become intimately familiar with the process so you don't get screwed again by the vet. You dictate to the vet what you want to happen, rather than relying on them to drive the process, and you shouldn't have any issues.

Speaking as someone who was "intimately familiar" with the process AND dictated every step to the vet, yet STILL wound up getting screwed over (vet gave the cats the wrong tick treatment, despite being told three times which one was NOT acceptable - resulting in an extra 28 hours of confinement at Gatwick and an extra £300!) - there's always a chance that something will go wrong, no matter how closely one micromanages the process.  You just want to make sure it's something that's easily remedied and causes as little trauma as possible!

I agree with the others.   Ask any questions here, or look up the information online, but please get familiar with the rules/procedures. 

Best of luck!

This is very true.  Vets DO NOT have an inside track or know more than the layman.

I second this. At least here at the University of Florida College of Vet Med - we do not get any education on the ins and outs of international health certificates/PETS scheme stuff. I can understand why we don't - rules change, and well - its not exactly a priority.

Of course, now I kind of wish we did because I'm going to be going through that process in a couple of years!! 

(I private messaged this info to the original poster but am posting here as well.  For posterity, so to speak.)

AMERICAN vetrinarians are not totally up on the details of the UK laws and regulations.  British vets are, oddly enough. Find one in the town you are moving to that will communicate with your vet.   There are also animal transport companies that specialize in the process, we happened to find one of these.   

I would recommend a company called Par Air Services:  http://www.parair.co.uk/   They have been moving animals in and out of the UK  for decades.  I found them by searching for catteries in Essex, and our cats finished quarantine at their facility.  They will assist you to get what needs done at your end, and then pick up the pet and transport to you or a quarantine facility anywhere in the UK. Pets can't enter at every airport, and they are reasonably close to Heathrow and Gatwick, so your pet can be in quarantine there, or nearer to you.   

(If recommending a particular company is not OK on this board, I guess they will edit my post.)

thanks for the info.  I've saved it