UNITED KINGDOM
Since December 2004 , the notorious 6 month mandatory UK quarantine has been abolished as long as the following steps are taken. This is known as the PETS passport scheme.
All the necessary procedures and tests below can be done at The Veterinary Hospital, Dubai.
1.Microchip identification before rabies vaccination. This can be done at the same appointment for rabies vaccination.
2.Rabies vaccination.
3.Rabies blood testing.
4.Residency 6 months following rabies blood test
5.EU health certification 24-48 hours before export.
6.Rabies vaccination booster
1. Microchip identification-
This electronic tag is simply implanted by injection under the skin of your pet, usually between the shoulders. In most animals it is done consciously and relatively painlessly without the need for sedatives or anaesthesia. When scanned, the tag provides a unique number to identify your pet. This is also valuable if your animal is found as a stray as his or her details can be registered on a world pet register website to aid return.(www.worldpetregister.com)
The microchip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination. If this is not the case, the pet will have to have another rabies vaccine given at the same time ( after ) microchipping.2. Rabies Vaccination
Given at 3 months of age and onwards. Once given, re-vaccination must be done in accordance with the vaccine manufacturer's guidelines (usually within every 12 months). It is mandatory for pets in the UAE to have annual rabies vaccination, regardless of the vaccine manufacturer's guidelines.
As very young and old animals may have poor immune function, it has been recommended by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (UK) to re booster the rabies vaccine one month after the first rabies vaccine before the next step of blood testing. This should ensure that adequate antibody levels are produced.3. Rabies Antibody Blood Test
After a minimum 21 days (ideally 30 days) has passed from the Rabies vaccination, a blood sample is taken to confirm that the pet has the required level of antibody.4. 6 Months Residency
From the date of blood sampling (not when the results are received), the pet must wait 6 months before he or she becomes eligible to enter the UK without quarantine.5. EU Veterinary Health Certificate
Within 24 to 48 hours before export, your pet will need to be examined by an authorised veterinary surgeon (The Veterinary Hospital veterinarians are so approved) and given treatment for endoparasites and ectoparasites in order to issue this certificate.It is important to plan in advance, ideally giving yourself at least 8 months before intended export ( in case the blood test fails due to inadequate immune response to the vaccine).
6. Maintain Rabies Booster
The rabies vaccine must be re-boostered within the manufacturer's recommendations (usually annually) to maintain your pet passport. If it expires by one day or more , the whole blood testing /6 month wait will have to be repeated!
