Pet just passed the 6 month mark yesterday!

Hi all!

Our dog just passed the 6 month mark and as far as I am aware we have four months to bring her into the UK. Is that correct? My transfer hasn't come through yet and I'm really not sure if it will so now we're left with figuring out if we should just move or continue to wait. I hate quitting my job though with all its insurance benefits to move not knowing when or if I will find another.

Any advice?

Kelly

Thats not entirely correct.  You can stretch out the move for much longer if you want as long as you keep the rabies vaccinations up to date and have proof of all future vaccines.

You have 4 months from the date of the USDA endorsment of the EC998 form, not from the 6 months post-vaccination date, so dont get the form endorsed until you know your moving date.

Thanks mirrajay. Is there a timeline on when I need to get the USDA endorsed cert done by? I was under the impression that the 6 month "clock" would restart if we didn't get her into the country within 4 months.

It would be best to get the form endorsed sooner rather than later, but if you are truly unsure about when you will be moving, you can delay it for as long as you like. There is a member here who extended her process five years!!

The 6-month clock will never restart as long as you keep the vaccinations up to date AND have the microchip number printed on each vaccine certificate. Basically, the form you have from the lab in Kansas says that your dog has an acceptable level of antibodies in his/her system and if you continue the vaccination schedule (every year or every three years depending on the type of vaccine give originally) then this antibody level will always be acceptable and thats all they are really concerned about. Just to be on the safe side, you might want to contact the USDA office in your area as it is ultimately up to them if they will endorse the form. 

You may want to check with your state's USDA vet about how long they'll sign the form. Mirrajay is right that, in theory, you can extend the process indefinitely, but I was told when I got my forms signed that they would only treat them as valid for endorsement for 2 years post-bloodwork.

I'm sure you could argue the case and get them to sign anyway (provided all the documentation was in order), but better to check. (Though I'm guessing you won't need to extend that long.)

Good luck!

Thanks to both of you - I will call the USDA office tomorrow!