Another PETS question

Just booked my ticket-November 1st!!! Woo-hoo!!!

How happy you must be t have your tickets booked! we have to leave after 12 Oct (when the cat will be ready) and before 18 Nov(or my dog will need another booster). I keep checking flights but my hubby keeps saying, 'ok we'll think about that one' AAARRGHHH! whats there to think about! I'm so afraid of booking too late for the time frame. If he doesnt hurry and make his mind up I'm just going to have to book and let him deal with it! lol.
well, good luck with your trip!

Where are you leaving from and what airline??? The flights go way down from 10/27-thru November on most of the airlines. I got a great deal through BA!

I know what you mean about waiting-my DF used to be laid back like yours, and it drove me nuts-but a few price jumps after he waited too long and not anymore!!!!

We'll be leaving from Orlando on Virgin. we did telephone them and they said in August they will start running a fall special. So I suppose we could wait until then to book. Its just so scary, especially when you have pets going too so you know you cant be quite as flexible.

Okay I'm getting conflicting answers about the blood test for the PETS Scheme.  Does the 6 month period start after the  blood test or do you have to wait 6 months after the shots to take the blood test?

I've gotten two different answers from folks that should know.  Now I need help from those that have experienced it. 

TIA!

The six months begins when the test results are reported as negative.

I think it is actually the date that the blood was drawn - not the date the test comes back. From the DEFRA website:

The 6 month rule for entering or re-entering the UK
Pets may not enter or re-enter the UK until 6 calendar months have passed from the date that a vet took the blood sample which gave a satisfactory test result.

Believe me, I am counting the DAYS!

Cheryl

I think it is actually the date that the blood was drawn - not the date the test comes back.

Correct! 

My apologies! My vet told me from when we got the neg but you guys know what you're talking about!

My apologies! My vet told me from when we got the neg but you guys know what you're talking about!

Even though PETS has been around for a while now, I guess there are still relatively few people who use the program, so a lot of vets still don't know all the rules.  When I did it, my vet kept all my print-outs and notes -- my cat and I were guineapigs for her!

I am wondering if it was an interpretation thing. He said something along the lines of waiting to see if the results were negative and then we start counting, but I guess he could have meant from the date if they were. There was always the possibility for a re-draw if the titer was not strong enough.

I can't tell if that made sense.  More coffee please!!!

My pets were "guinea pigs" too - and thankfully my vet was interested in learning about the process (rather then annoyed as some might be). I found that emailing questions to the DEFRA folks very helpful. They responded quickly and with great clarity. I even emailed them with questions like "I just want to confirm that  . . . . is correct so I can inform my vet." I think the people working for the Pet Scheme truly want to help us and know how important our pets are to us.

Although things have gone smoothly so far, I must admit that I am nervous as the paperwork will be finalized after I leave the US. I am trusting a friend, my sister and my vet to assure that things are in order before transport. My pets will have two months to complete the "6-month rule" before they can come over. I may post this question as the date of my departure gets closer, but those of you who have been in this situation, please let me know how it went.
Cheryl

Back to Cattamount's question - yes it is the day of the blood test, not 6 months after the injections.  Usually the vet will wait about a week after the rabies vacine so that antibodies have time to form.  It's this that the blood titre measures (and must qualify). 

My question for folks is about the USDA endorsment.  I rarely hear people talk about it, and I just want to make sure I'm not the only one doing it if it's not compelelty required.
There's a 76 dollar fee and all the info can be found at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/ncie/exp-pets.html

-Grant

So I don't know anything about USDA endorsement. Unless this is where the official vet must sign and officially stamp the pet certificate regarding the work your vet did for your pet in the preparation for PETS.
But I am unaware of a fee for this.
Could you be a bit more clear with your question. I looked at the site but still unsure about it.
I strongly suggest reading the DEFRA site and contacting them on anything you are in doubt of. They make the rules for getting a animal into UK.
PS there are dog breeds not being allowed into the UK.

Yes, I was told to go to my local USDA office(Des Plaines, IL) 2 weeks before for them to certify all the paperwork, and there is a charge. This MUST be done in order for your application to be complete.

If I'm not mistaken, isn't this the "3rd party vet certificate" referred to on the PETS scheme? Pets from the US don't qualify for the PETS Passport, so the rules under 3rd party vet. certification are what applies