Pet Passport??

Hi All,

We are ready for shipping the cats to the UK...or at least we think we are.

We have the paperwork from the vet and the rabies antibody test results stating that the test found a titer high enough.  We understand that they also require the tick/tapeworm treatment 48 hours before travelling.

Are we required to get a passport for travelling or is the paperwork all that is required?

Thanks

You'll need to get the EC 998 form filled out, as you can only get a pet passport in the EU.

That should be it, besides the rabies test results form.

http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets/pets/travel/index.htm

this might help you a bit
steff

You'll need to get the EC 998 form filled out, as you can only get a pet passport in the EU.

That should be it, besides the rabies test results form.

That's great, thank you!

We understand that we are not to get the certificate more than four months before the cats entry to the UK...however, are there a timeframe that it has to be completed by? i.e. 30 days before entry to the UK.

Thanks again!

That's great, thank you!

We understand that we are not to get the certificate more than four months before the cats entry to the UK...however, are there a timeframe that it has to be completed by? i.e. 30 days before entry to the UK.

Thanks again!

No, it's valid for up to 4 months after the USDA signs off.

However, the last 2 sections of it relate to the final vet treatment needed pre-flight (24-48hrs before check-in for the flight), so obviously those need to be done in that time frame.

Otherwise it's just the 4-month window. According to the USDA vet, you can also just re-do the EC 998 form later if you end up not going in that 4-month window, provided the rabies vaccination hasn't expired (i.e. you've kept it up to date since the bloodwork was done).

Hope that helps.

No, it's valid for up to 4 months after the USDA signs off.

However, the last 2 sections of it relate to the final vet treatment needed pre-flight (24-48hrs before check-in for the flight), so obviously those need to be done in that time frame.

Otherwise it's just the 4-month window. According to the USDA vet, you can also just re-do the EC 998 form later if you end up not going in that 4-month window, provided the rabies vaccination hasn't expired (i.e. you've kept it up to date since the bloodwork was done).

Hope that helps.

Thank you for you help.

We have found this link: European Union (EU) Veterinary Health Form 998

Do we need to print this out and take it to a vet to fill out or should the vet have them at the surgery?

Is there usually any cost for this certificate other than the cost of the vet filling the form out and signing?

Thanks

i printed out mine myself to take to the vet.......along with many extra printouts as making a mistake is so easy to do.......ive ended up filling mine out for the vet.

Your vet will 99% likely NOT have this form.  Print it off and either fill it out yourself or WATCH them closely when they fill it out.   Remember that you must use european date format and 24 hour clock when marking dates and times.   

My vet did not charge me for filling out or signing the form, only for the services which were done at the same time.

Its most important on the EC998 form.  The USDA will refuse to stamp it if the date is wrong. The time will be only for the tick/tapeworm treatment on the EC998. 

I can take a look at my 7001 form when I get home, but from memory, I would say that one needs to be in euro date too.

Dont worry about the rabies certificate from your vet or the form from Kansas state - those are ok with US formats.

what is the 7001 form......did i miss something

You may or may not need it Steffunny.   Its the form which states your animals is "fit to fly" as in healthy to fly.   Some airlines require it, some just need a letter from your vet.  If you do need it, your vet will most likely have the form (its a carbon copy one so people can keep different parts) and will fill it out for you at the time of the tick/tapeworm treatment.

You may or may not need it Steffunny.   Its the form which states your animals is "fit to fly" as in healthy to fly.   Some airlines require it, some just need a letter from your vet.  If you do need it, your vet will most likely have the form (its a carbon copy one so people can keep different parts) and will fill it out for you at the time of the tick/tapeworm treatment.

OK mirrajay, it seems you are the resident genius on this?

Firstly, we had the microchip inserted and the blood taken by a vet in Philadelphia and therefore have the rabies titer paperwork signed and stamped by her.  Does this mean that we NEED to have the rest of the paperwork completed by the same vet?  (The cats are currently staying nearly 3 hours from Philadelphia with my the in-laws and we would like them to take them to a local vet for the tick/tapeworm treatment if possible)

Mirrajay: This is our understanding of the next steps...please could you correct anything you see is incorrect:

Request that the vet (in Philadelphia) sign the EC998 and send it to us (or the in-laws) - Does this show that a vet certifies the cats healthy to travel?

Ask the in-laws to take the cats for the tick/tapeworm treatment no more that 48 hours before flying. (Hopefully to a local vet and not to Philly?)

The cats are then ready to fly to the UK.  They are taken to the airport and board the plane. (We will have pre-booked)  Is the Certified EC998 used to board the plane?

It is our understanding that if we fly them with Delta, we need an agent to complete the end of the process when the cats land at London Heathrow Airport.  Which paperwork will the UK Customs need to see upon landing?  I assume they will need to see the rabies titer corresponding with the correct microchips? (If that's the case, we will make sure the agent has this before the cats land)

My word, this process is more complicated than the actual immigration process!

Thanks for all your help up to now!!

I'm not mirrajay, but I'll take a stab at this.

Firstly, we had the microchip inserted and the blood taken by a vet in Philadelphia and therefore have the rabies titer paperwork signed and stamped by her.  Does this mean that we NEED to have the rest of the paperwork completed by the same vet?  (The cats are currently staying nearly 3 hours from Philadelphia with my the in-laws and we would like them to take them to a local vet for the tick/tapeworm treatment if possible)

You can take them to a local vet for the final tick/tapeworm treatment. It does not have to be the same vet that did the rest of the paperwork.

Mirrajay: This is our understanding of the next steps...please could you correct anything you see is incorrect:

Request that the vet (in Philadelphia) sign the EC998 and send it to us (or the in-laws) - Does this show that a vet certifies the cats healthy to travel?

Yes, do that. No, it does not certify the animals healthy to travel (that would be done when you get the tick/tapeworm done). It does show that the vet certifies that the bloodwork/microchip/vaccine have all been done.

Ask the in-laws to take the cats for the tick/tapeworm treatment no more that 48 hours before flying. (Hopefully to a local vet and not to Philly?)

48 hours before check-in for the flight (48hrs before flying would work, too, but not 24 since that's 20 hours before check-in).

The cats are then ready to fly to the UK.  They are taken to the airport and board the plane. (We will have pre-booked)  Is the Certified EC998 used to board the plane?

I believe the airline checks your paperwork before boarding. The part they'll care about is whatever health certificate they might want, though (APHIS 7001, letter from your vet, whatever). That's what says your pet shouldn't keel over while on board.

It is our understanding that if we fly them with Delta, we need an agent to complete the end of the process when the cats land at London Heathrow Airport.  Which paperwork will the UK Customs need to see upon landing?  I assume they will need to see the rabies titer corresponding with the correct microchips? (If that's the case, we will make sure the agent has this before the cats land)

If you're flying with them, or picking them up at Heathrow, I don't see why you'd need an agent. I haven't looked into Delta, though, as they're not an option from the city I'm using. The UK folks will want to see all the paperwork - rabies certificate, EC 998 form, etc. You should be able to hand all this in to the airline when you check the pet(s) in so that it travels with them.

Good luck!

It is our understanding that if we fly them with Delta, we need an agent to complete the end of the process when the cats land at London Heathrow Airport.  Which paperwork will the UK Customs need to see upon landing?  I assume they will need to see the rabies titer corresponding with the correct microchips? (If that's the case, we will make sure the agent has this before the cats land)

I suspect this is the same procedure as with Virgin.  We flew Virgin out of Boston and a Virgin employee (the agent) met us at Animal Reception.  She handled whatever needed doing with Defra. 

As equiestrianerd said, the paperwork will already be with your pets.  You hand it in when you check in the animals and then they fly with it.  It will be in a pouch attached to the pet's kennel. 

 

I suspect this is the same procedure as with Virgin.  We flew Virgin out of Boston and a Virgin employee (the agent) met us at Animal Reception.  She handled whatever needed doing with Defra. 

As equiestrianerd said, the paperwork will already be with your pets.  You hand it in when you check in the animals and then they fly with it.  It will be in a pouch attached to the pet's kennel. 

 

We spoke to somebody at Heathrow today and they said that Delta don't have an 'agent' and that we would need to book an agent so we called JCS Livestock Services.

Obviously we'll be checking this with Delta tomorrow. (and will keep you all updated)

So...we have the Rabies/microchip information in the UK. This should be shipped to the US to be flown with the cats?

Thanks for all your help as always.