Pet Travel Scheme

The Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) is the system that allows pet animals from certain countries to enter the UK without quarantine as long as they meet the rules. It also means that people in the UK can, having taken their pets to these countries, bring them back without the need for quarantine.

The Scheme:

• only applies to pet cats and dogs* ("pets") including guide dogs and hearing dogs.
• is limited to pets coming into the UK from certain countries and territories
• only operates on certain sea, air and rail routes to England

*It is against the law in Great Britain to possess certain types of dogs and meeting the requirements of PETS will not change that.

PETS was introduced for dogs and cats travelling from certain European countries on 28 February 2000. The Scheme was extended to Cyprus, Malta and certain Long Haul countries and territories on 31 January 2001. Bahrain joined on 1 May 2002. Mainland USA and Canada joined on 11 December 2002.

Animals from non-qualifying countries must spend 6 months in quarantine.

This site contains information on:

• What pet owners must do - gives information to pet owners on how to prepare your pet to travel under the Scheme; and
• Procedures for vets
• the number of cats and dogs entering England under PETS each month.