As if you haven’t heard enough about Brexit! Perhaps there are bigger Brexit issues than how it might affect pet travel to and from Europe. However, whatever happens with Brexit, at some point a decision will be made as to whether the current EU pet passport scheme will continue and, if not, what the new arrangements will be.

Currently dogs, cats and ferrets can travel to and from Europe with an EU pet passport. The passport contains some basic owner and pet details and, critically, confirms the microchip number of the pet and that it has been vaccinated against rabies.

Britain has already said it will continue to accept EU Pet Passports for animals entering the UK. What’s not clear is what the EU will accept from us after Brexit. It is entirely possible, if some sort of deal is struck, that the pet passport scheme will continue in its current form and nothing much will change. The French rarely check pet passports for animals entering from the UK, as there are few biosecurity implications for them for animals coming from our shores.

Significant forward planning required

However, we may find ourselves temporarily without an agreed arrangement from the European side and have to resort to fulfilling the requirements of an ‘unlisted third country’. In this worst case scenario pets will need to have a blood test performed at least 30 days after their most recent rabies vaccination to confirm that the pet has formed an adequate immune response to the vaccine.

There is then a three month wait from the date of the blood test before you can travel with your pet. This process could therefore take a minimum of four months, so some significant forward planning is required. An additional animal health certificate would also need to be issued by your vet to be fully compliant.

A more likely scenario is that after Brexit, Britain will eventually be considered a ‘Class 1 listed country’ in which case existing pet passport rules will suffice, although a UK pet passport would be issued, replacing the EU pet passport.

If you haven’t fallen asleep already and are still confused, have a chat to your vet about what you should be doing if you plan to travel abroad with your pet.