Pet Scheme For Dummies Part 1 of 2

Pets Scheme for dummies….. : ) 
       (research that took weeks!!!) 
 
 
Before starting (you MUST find a Veterinary Services Accredited Vet as that is the only vet authorized to do this by the US Government. You can start to locate the VS Area Office for your state, click the appropriate state on the map or select the state from the list below the map  http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/area_offices.htm#FL [nofollow]
and they can give you a list of vets in your area.
 
 
 
Step 1: The microchip
Your pet must first be fitted with a microchip. We recommend that it meets
ISO Standard 11784 or ISO Standard 11785. If the microchip does not meet
one of these Standards you must provide a reader that can read the microchip
number at the time of any inspection.
Ask the person fitting the microchip to check that its number can be read
before and after it has been fitted. Get your vet to read the microchip every
time you visit. You can purchase them from www.avidmicrochip.com [nofollow] (ask for the euro chip) you vet might have to call for you and order them price approximately $30 w/ a $15 registration fee
 
 
Step 2 If your pet was vaccinated before the microchip was fitted, it will have to be
vaccinated again. This is to make sure that it is correctly identified when
vaccinated .
• Vaccination record
When your pet is vaccinated, make sure that the vet accurately records the
following details on its vaccination record.
its date of birth/age (AT LEAST 3 MOS. OLD)
 the microchip number, date of insertion and its location in the animal
the date of vaccination
the vaccine manufacturer, product name and batch number
the date by which the booster vaccination must be given (i.e. the Valid
until  date) 
 
Step 3: The blood test
After being vaccinated, your pet must have a blood test to make sure that the
vaccine has worked. Your vet will tell you the best time to do this and will take
a blood sample to be analysed at an EU-approved laboratory. Take your pet’s
vaccination record with you when the blood sample is taken. Ask your vet to
read the microchip and to give you a signed record of the date the sample
was taken that accurately shows your pet’s microchip number.
A satisfactory blood test result will show that the rabies antibody titre was
equal to or more than 0.5IU/ml. Make sure your vet gives you a certified copy
of the result, accurately showing the microchip number and the date the
sample was taken, and keep it safe.

Your pet requires only one satisfactory blood test and 6 calendar months wait
provided the subsequent rabies booster vaccinations are given by the
required date. 
 
Step 4: Booster vaccinations
After your pet has been rabies vaccinated and blood has been drawn it will need regular booster vaccinations. These must be given by the "Valid untiil date
in section IV on the PETS certificate and be recorded on
the vaccination record.
 
If the booster date is missed, your pet will have to be vaccinated and blood
tested again. The 6 month rule will apply from the date the new blood sample
is taken, provided the result is satisfactory
I have a record from the vet of the date the blood sample was taken,
showing the correct microchip number. 
IMPORTANT: THIS IS THE WEBSITE FOR THE ONE APPROVED FACILITY IN THE UNITED STATES & there is a PDF file that can be printed that has the request for antibody test (this must accompany the blood along with the credit card authorization form (charge is $40). http://www.vet.k-state.edu/depts/rabies/favntest.htm [nofollow] - they suggest a waiting period of  21 days between the vaccination and the blood draw for optimum antibody response results. Results can be expected in 4 weeks/I paid the vet and had them fill it out so the results can be sent to them. There will be a sticker in the middle of the form with an original signature, that it the certified one that will be sent to your vet.
 
   

the vaccine manufacturer, product name and batch number

All my certificate has is the manufacturer and serial number...is the serial the same as the batch number??

Im looking at my original vet records and for the Rabies part the serial# is reflected on the EC 998/2003 under the batch #. Your fine 

Thank you so much!

My cat already has an AVID chip (I got her from a shelter) and I might just buy the bleepin' reader.

So many hoops to jump through!

Check with the Animal reception center where you'll be flying in.  they may have a reader for an avid chip. 

I was told as long as it is the AVID Euro chip the airport has a universal reader....

I don't think it's an AVID Euro chip, I think it's an AVID North America chip, and I have no idea what the difference is. As long as the chip still reads, I'm going to leave it as her only one. I read somewhere else that they have many different types of chip readers at the airport, so I'll double check there before buying my own. 

You may also be able to "rent" a chip reader too.  I think Avid does that.

I don't think it's an AVID Euro chip, I think it's an AVID North America chip, and I have no idea what the difference is. As long as the chip still reads, I'm going to leave it as her only one. I read somewhere else that they have many different types of chip readers at the airport, so I'll double check there before buying my own. 

I didnt need to bring a reader for mine, and my dog didnt have an Avid chip.  You shouldnt have to rent one either, just email Defra or the Animal Reception Center.

It's not that difficult to figure out. Just go to the website for the manufacturer of the chip. It'll tell you the specs there and let you know if it can be read internationally.

This may help: http://www.pettravel.com/Pet_Microchip.cfm

Pets Scheme for dummies….. : ) 

Step 3: The blood test
 Ask your vet to
read the microchip and to give you a signed record of the date the sample
was taken that accurately shows your pet’s microchip number.
A satisfactory blood test result will show that the rabies antibody titre was
equal to or more than 0.5IU/ml. Make sure your vet gives you a certified copy
of the result, accurately showing the microchip number and the date the
sample was taken, and keep it safe.
   

Okay...I'm a bit confused about this....what is a certified copy?  NO ONE seems to be able to answer this question for me and sadly enough, my vet is not 100% knowledgeable about the Pets Scheme (he is certified, so that's all that matters to me...I am a control freak, so I don't mind finding everything out!).

I had the original.  If it is a copy, you have to have it certified or "notarised" by a notary.

The original blood test result document is sent to your vet's from the lab in Kansas.  Get it from your vet. 
You paid for it.  They can keep a copy of it for their file.

So is it accurate that only one vet per state can perform this process???  I have started the process with my dog's normal animal hospital, told them what I was doing and they assigned the vet that was qualified to do it... do I need to check to ensure she is accredited?  Also,  where do you get the official forms that need to be completed for vaccination proof and blood testing?  This process SEEMS so simple but is so confusing!  thanks.

I think any VS accredited vet can do it. There could be a few in any given town. The one you were referred to should be fine.