PETS Program

....it probably was too long but Hawaii's quarantine period is also 6 months so maybe there is actually a reason.....

I'm not surprised they changed the restrictions considering the foot and mouth scare.  They thought they knew how this disease worked too.

The six months quarentine is a safety margin; Rabies takes two weeks - six months to incubate in the nervous system.  So for safety they chose to make the quarentine period six months, they gave no bearing on the fact that there are some animals that have had no contact with likely infected animals.

There's three places in the world which are completely rabies free they are the UK, Hawaii and Australia.  The way they could guard against Rabies better would be vaccination of any animal which is brought here, with follow up booster shots.  The main problem with this is the cost of the shots - Although in the long term they would be cheaper than the six months of vet, food and kennel bills.

It makes you wonder if the quarantine efforts were in vain after all.

According to some of the news reports, these bats can only pass rabies to humans, not to other animals. So, no.

to the person who's worried about not being able to visit their cats in quarantine, there is no regulation prohibiting visits. In fact, most kennels have visitation at least twice a week, if not more. Don't let the 6 month thing keep you away from your cats forever. Also, I've heard all great things about quarantines -- that they're very loved while there. Although maybe I've not heard about the bad ones. I have checked into airpets and they seem very nice.

to the person who's worried about not being able to visit their cats in quarantine, there is no regulation prohibiting visits. In fact, most kennels have visitation at least twice a week, if not more. Don't let the 6 month thing keep you away from your cats forever. Also, I've heard all great things about quarantines -- that they're very loved while there. Although maybe I've not heard about the bad ones. I have checked into airpets and they seem very nice.

Not to put a downer on this, and believe me I'm sure that the example I will give is one of the very few cases which didn't turn out ok...I know someone who apparently had her cat in quarantine/kennel/cat home (one which handles the animals which come into the country under quarantine restrictions) for two weeks while she was away in another country.  After her holiday was over she came back into the country and went to pick her cat up, when she got to the facility she found that the cat was dead.  They gave her no explaination, and just gave the body back.

As I say, I know people who have taken their cats to quarantine facilities and have no trouble at all.  And as you say Julia they can visit the animals any time they wish.

Well, I've gotten my dogs microchipped and vaccinated (again   ) bugged the doc to get a vaccination record with all the requirements on it and now just waiting until 30 days are up to take the blood test. I'm a little nervous about getting the doctor to contact the only approved lab in Kansas to find out what he needs to know before he takes the blood from my doggies. I go to a pretty active animal hospital in Atlanta which is partly good because they are always open and have a larger repertoire of experiences but they are very busy allt he time so its harder to get the drs attention. However, this doctor wanted to read over all the literature and have us come back to get the record so he'd have time to make sure it had all the necessary stuff on it. At least he's concerned!!

The quarantine has been lifted for animals coming from the US and Canada.  I am currently going through the process with 2 cats.  They must be microchipped first, then get rabies vaccination, then 30 days afterwards have blood drawn and tested at one laboratory at Kansas State University.  They can then leave the country 6 months after the date of the blood sample.

More info can be found at newcomer link: http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/index.htm [nonactive]
It has been a fairly painless process, though we need to pretty much tell the vet what to do.  Since it is a new procedure (as of last december) I guess very few people know about it.  

Good luck,

Corey

So it is a 'bit' easier to move pets to the UK, but here's a question:  What about mving them back?

I have found the perfect breed of dog for my family: the Harrier.  Unfortunately though the only US breeders are in california (a bit far from my WI home).  There are many breeders in the UK, though, and I thought about buying one and moving it back with us when we transfer back (2-3 years).  Is it easier or harder to move th puppy back to the states?  Is there a 6 month quarantine or is it similar to the PETS program?  

Do all pets need a microchip?  I am fairly against that, feeling once pets becomes a common place, people are nto far behind (the whole 1984 Big Brother thing).

Thanks for the help!

Julia or anyone else who can help...  
I'm in ATL ... just wondering what microchip you used and do you know if there is anyone in ATL that can seal the carrier?  We have the Homeagain chip in and it seems to be ISO compatible.  Is there even an approved route to the UK?  We have two dogs and one old cat.  Delta's website says they do not fly animlas into London.  Anyone know who does? Not sure when we are making the final trip across the pond yet, but I want to be prepared. This PETS thing has me and my vet going a bit loopy!

Thanks,

Pamela

Accoring to the DEFRA website, the approved US routes are:

Fort Lauderdale, Sanford or West Palm Beach to London Gatwick: Britannia Airways (only available as part of a package holiday) Operating from early March

Approved Canada routes:

Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, St John's, Vancouver and Ottowa to London Heathrow: Air Canada From 1 March 2003

Those seem to have been posted recently, you can call their helpline to see if there have been any changes.

+44 (0)870 241 1710

or email: pets.helpline@defra.gsi.gov.uk

Hope that helps.

I'm not 100% sure I'm correct about this, but this was my understanding from the PETS website:

If you don't arrive on an approved route, but your pet still has all microchip/shots/blood tests, the pet will go into quarantine for a couple of DAYS for the parasite testing, and that's it.  I checked on this especially because I am afraid to fly and am hoping to take a ship when we move, with the dog.  Only planes are approved, though.

Thanks!  Could  you give me the link to where you found the info?  I have been on DEFRA and could not find it.

Pamela

Their website is not very well laid out, I had a hard time finding it. I think I went to the Frequently Asked Questions to get there because they didn't link to it from their USA/Canada page.

http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/PETS/Procedures/Support-info/routes.shtml

Woo hoo.  Good link.  Will post more as the adventure continues.  

I'm on the Brittania website now!

It says "Pets Looked After by Britannia
Britannia Cargo is to benefit from new additions to the list of countries officially approved under the Pet Passport Scheme. The USA has just been added to this scheme, and Britannia has become the first airline to receive approval to carry animals from the USA, which will begin on 27th January. In addition it is hoped that before the Summer we will have received approval to carry animals from Greece, France, Italy and Switzerland. Britannia Cargo is also extending the routes on which we carry animals under the Quarantine Regulations Scheme. With immediate effect the department will be actively selling the carriage of animals from all destinations from which we operate and not just Spain and Portugal where most of the activity has so far been focussed."

So now we know.... talk to your Vet and head to Florida!

Pamela

FYI.. just got an email back from the people who make the HomeAgain microchips used by some US vets and tracked by the AKC.  According to them:

"The HomeAgain chips comply to annex A of the ISO standard.  If you need any additional information please contact Andy Pound.  Andy is with Animal Care our distributor in the UK."

These can be purchased at https://www.homeagainid.com  
if your local vet does not have them.  

This means that we don't have to buy a reader!  $200 more to spend on moving expenses.    I'll keep everyone posted because I know how heartbreaking it must be to leave pets behind.

Thank you Pamela, please do keep us posted. I'll update the site pets page soon with this good info.