Silly question about 998/2003 form?

Hi everybody,

George and I have an appointment for the vet tomorrow to get his rabies booster. Was looking at the EC 988/2003 form. I had to open the downloaded form in text edit as I have a mac. I printed pages 1&2 on the front and back on a single sheet with the guidance notes on a second sheet.

Hope this makes sense... the very bottom of the second page (1st sheet) there is the cut off top part of the box which says "Notes for Guidance". The guidance notes box continues on the next page. I'm probably being paranoid, but will this be an issue for Defra?

I printed off both pages (you should have sections I - VII), but not the notes, and it was fine.

Thanks equestrinaerd!

I didn't realise that the notes were unnecessary.

Do you think that extra part of the guidance box on the bottom will be okay?

It should be fine. The USDA vet/DEFRA doesn't need the notes/guidance, they just need the actual parts of the form that document the procedures being properly done.

Thanks so much!

I couldn't sleep last night. As we are getting nearer to our goal, I'm getting so nervous that something will go wrong. I hope poor little George will be okay on his epic transatlantic flight!

Just to get this straight...

In section 5 of the form where it says "Official Veterinarian or Veterinarian Authorised by the Competent Authority"

The first portion should be signed, dated, and stamped by my local vet (within 10 days before travel???)

And the second section headed "Endorsement by the Competent Authority" will be signed, dated, and stamped by our state USDA vet (also within 10 days of travel too?)

Section 5 on the form is the Rabies titer results section... But the section underneath that that says which you are refering to does need to be signed stamped and dated (in EU date format) by your vet any time - just before the USDA signs off.   

The competant authority part (the first section on the reverse side) is what the USDA will stamp. This stamp is valid for four months.  My suggestion would be to fax the form to the USDA for approval before you make your way to the office for the stamp.  They can be VERY picky about how it is completed.

Nothing needs to be done 10 days before travel. You may be confusing this with the tick/tapeworm treatment that MUST be done 48 hours before check in.

Thanks for the super quick reply!

Yeah, I got confused because my local vet was confused too. I was just worried that Defra/Pet Scheme people would be super strict about the date.