Starting the pet scheme ... any advice?

I've officially started the Pet Scheme process. I met with the vet for a consultation yesterday and had my cat microchipped today. The vet also updated his vaccines (FVRCP, Feline calicivirus). We are planning to get the rabies shot on 25 Aug. and the blood draw on 16 Sept to prepare for my May 2010 wedding and hopefully successful spousal visa shortly thereafter.

My first question is that during the exam the vet had to rush to the back because of an emergency. So, I think he was a little flustered when he filled out the veterinary certificate. I noticed he used the wrong date format and didn't fill it out in block capitals. He didn't have time to fill out the form again so without thinking, I said I would fill it out correctly and bring it to the next visit.

Is this okay since the main purpose of this document is to have it endorsed by my vet and the KY state vet?

Also, I was reading over the huge stack of documentation, and notes, and resources from the forum, DEFRA, etc. and I was a bit confused about some of the forms and procedures.

First, the 988/2003 (vet certificate) that I mentioned above: I printed it out on a single page (both sides printed). Do I need to include the "Notes for Guidance" on a second page? I've heard varying opinions about the one page rule.

Second, where do I get the APHIS 7001 form and where does this come into play? Do I need this now, or later down the line close to when my cat and I travel?

Third, I understand that the vet has to scan the chip EVERY time we visit from now on. Where is this recorded? Does this have to be noted in any of the documentation I need for Pets Scheme?

Last, as far as the rabies vaccination certificate... Do I need to personally request this or is this the standard practice after an animal has been vaccinated against rabies?

Sorry about the long post, my head is spinning after all this information overload!

My first question is that during the exam the vet had to rush to the back because of an emergency. So, I think he was a little flustered when he filled out the veterinary certificate. I noticed he used the wrong date format and didn't fill it out in block capitals. He didn't have time to fill out the form again so without thinking, I said I would fill it out correctly and bring it to the next visit.

Is this okay since the main purpose of this document is to have it endorsed by my vet and the KY state vet?

Assuming you're talking about the FAVN form for the Kansas State rabies bloodwork, that's fine.  That form just requires that the vet (re-)verify the microchip's existence and number, and make sure they match what's on the form, before giving the rabies vaccine or drawing blood.

First, the 988/2003 (vet certificate) that I mentioned above: I printed it out on a single page (both sides printed). Do I need to include the "Notes for Guidance" on a second page? I've heard varying opinions about the one page rule.

No idea, but I just printed mine off (form only, not the guidance) on 4 separate pages.  Do keep in mind that this form is valid for 4 months before travel, so don't rush it off to the USDA vet for final approval until closer to when you're going to ship your cat.

Second, where do I get the APHIS 7001 form and where does this come into play? Do I need this now, or later down the line close to when my cat and I travel?

Check with the airline.  DEFRA doesn't actually care about the APHIS form (just the 998 one), so it's the airlines that do (or not).  British Airways told me they don't require it, and I believe Virgin Atlantic is the same, but I can't speak to the other airlines.  (And I'd call them yourself just to double-check.)  I believe most airlines do want a letter from your vet declaring the animal fit to fly, however.

Third, I understand that the vet has to scan the chip EVERY time we visit from now on. Where is this recorded? Does this have to be noted in any of the documentation I need for Pets Scheme?

Not that I'm aware of, but pretty much every form has a space for the microchip number, so the point is just to verify that: 1) the chip hasn't moved/disappeared (this happened with my cat so he got re-chipped prior to the blood being drawn) 2) the number is still the same, so the animal's identity can be certified.

Last, as far as the rabies vaccination certificate... Do I need to personally request this or is this the standard practice after an animal has been vaccinated against rabies?

Every vet I've gone to has given me a certificate (and a state-issued tag for their collar) once the vaccine is given.  If your vet doesn't, ask for it.

Good luck!  It's a fairly straightforward process, it just has a bunch of details that can be a pain to follow!  (My vet was rather confused by the constant need to scan the microchips.)

Be sure that the vet requests the FAVN titre test (and not the RFFIT) as some people in the chain of events believe it's the only one the UK will accept (ironically, it looks like DEFRA doesn't care about the form but about the actual titration). In the end, it's two different forms (why? I haven't a clue) with the main difference being that the FAVN requires a microchip number. I just found out that the rabies test my vet sent off last May was the RFFIT even though (1) we explained very thoroughly that it was for sending the dog to the UK and (2) the vet understood this and had done such many times before.

I just found out that the rabies test my vet sent off last May was the RFFIT even though (1) we explained very thoroughly that it was for sending the dog to the UK and (2) the vet understood this and had done such many times before.

That stinks.  I haven't been giving my vet a choice, as I bring in my forms pre-printed (and mostly pre-filled out).  Of course, he still managed to screw up, but that's human nature for you, I guess.

First, the 988/2003 (vet certificate) that I mentioned above: I printed it out on a single page (both sides printed). Do I need to include the "Notes for Guidance" on a second page? I've heard varying opinions about the one page rule.

I just had my 998 form "rejected" by the USDA/APHIS, but they were very nice when they called and answered all my questions.  I did ask if the form should be one page, front to back and they said yes.  If you have a form that only as the notes for guidance on the back, you may be using an altered form as the one I have (and the one that the USDA said was the correct one) has sections 1-5 and the vet info on the front and the endorsement, sections 5-6 and the notes on the back.

Carey, is the form that got rejected the same one that is linked off of DEFRA's site?  That one appears to be 3 pages long (for the actual form itself) if you ignore all the legalese on the first 3 pages.  (So even if you printed it double-sided, it would still be 2 pieces of paper.)

The form that got rejected was not rejected b/c its the wrong form, it was rejected b/c my vet goes by a nickname and filled it out and signed it with that name rather than his legal name which is registered with the USDA. 

The form I have is not exactly like the DEFRA one, so perhaps it doesnt matter.  She just told me to keep my form front to back rather than multipage.   

Ahh, okay.  I was a bit confused as to why they'd reject a form that they're providing on their website.

Thanks for the info!

Thanks everyone for all the great advice/comments.

I did email Defra. This is what they had to say:

Please be advised that, as stated on our website, the online copy is an example form only. The document required is a Third country official veterinary certificate. It is headed “Veterinary certificate for domestic dogs, cats and ferrets entering the European Community for non-commercial movements (Regulation (EC) No 998/2003)”. An example form (as opposed to certificate) is attached. Your vet may need to contact the local USDA APHIS office to obtain the certificate, their contact details may be found on their website
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/area_offices/

In some ways this confuses me more, since it seems that some of you guys have successfully transported your pets with these "sample forms".

So, I just emailed the USDA, and will take it from there based on what they have to say.

Also just in case some of you are wondering... I called Continental's Pet Safe people and they said they do require APHIS 7001.

http://ec.europa.eu/food/animal/liveanimals/pets/sanco10767r4_en.doc

Here is the form I am using and has been ok'd by the USDA.

Thanks everyone for all the great advice/comments.

I did email Defra. This is what they had to say:

Please be advised that, as stated on our website, the online copy is an example form only. The document required is a Third country official veterinary certificate. It is headed “Veterinary certificate for domestic dogs, cats and ferrets entering the European Community for non-commercial movements (Regulation (EC) No 998/2003)”. An example form (as opposed to certificate) is attached. Your vet may need to contact the local USDA APHIS office to obtain the certificate, their contact details may be found on their website
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/area_offices/

In some ways this confuses me more, since it seems that some of you guys have successfully transported your pets with these "sample forms".

This thoroughly confused me as well, and at the time (November 08), I was somehow convinced by USDA or DEFRA (can't remember which one) that it was okay to use the form printed from the website.  Our cats did get through just fine--then, but if it really is just an example, they should put SAMPLE across it so people know not to use it. 

Make sure that your Vet knows what they are doing. It is imperative to have the chip scanned EVERY time your pet goes. My cat wound up in Uk quarantine because at Heathrow it was discovered his chip had vanished. We had to start the entire pet scheme over .

I wound up flying back to the US with him to wait out his quarantine (for the second time)
We fly back Sept.15th with a pet passport this time. I am a nervous wreck!

They should give us all xxanax to go through the pets scheme.