INTRODUCTION

The Pet Travel Scheme allows pet cats and dogs from certain countries, including
the UK and Republic of Ireland, to enter or re-enter the UK without quarantine as long as they meet certain-rules.

Under the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) pet cats, dogs and ferrets can only travel to the UK by air on approved routes with any one of the authorised carriers from any of the qualifying countries
It is the responsibility of the carrier (Airline) to check that the pets are eligible to travel under PETS.

To become authorised to transport pets under the scheme, the Airline must conclude an agreement with Defra, called a Required Method of Operation (RMOP).
This document describes the process from check-in at origin; transport from aircraft to Pets on Jets, and how checks will be carried out. Defra officials will be responsible for approving the document, and monitoring its implementation.

Pets will be pre-booked, according to the airline's cargo booking system, and a Pre-Alert sent to Pets on Jets 24 hours ahead of arrival.

Before release of the pet to the customer, all relevant checks must be successfully completed.

If a pet fails one of the tests (eg. Passport or Certificate not signed or microchip number incorrect), the pet will be transferred from PETS to the Quarantine handling facility within WFS Cargo.

Failures will be handled in accordance with standing instructions but would be likely to entail removal of the pet to a quarantine kennels at the pet owner's expense until the problem can be resolved.

The PETS Helpline, for general information about the scheme, is

+44 (0) 870241 1710

11. The PETS Website for general information, is http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/index.htm