UK Pet Importation - why is it such a nightmare?!

[Romaro]

Can anyone explain why the UK is so unbelievably backward when it comes to the importation of pet dogs?

You've got to use an approved 'commercial' operator on an approved route and the pet has got to have tick and worm treatments within prescribed time limits, rabies jabs, passport, microchip etc. etc..... then, and only then, you can only fly it into Biggin Hill or Oxford airports!!!!

If you've just thought about it today, you'll be waiting months before fido is actually allowed in.

It's easier to get Abu Hamza out than the bosses dog in.

When, if ever, will it be easier?

[Tableview]

I don't know where you got your info from but friends of mine recently flew a dog from CPT to LHR. An agency did all the paperwork and the whole operation went smoothly.

[Romaro]

I was noting just the general aviation / business aviation airports - going into Heathrow with a private GA aircraft or business jet just to import your pet is a bit OTT cost-wise. There are no other GA or regional airports in the SE UK area one can use aside from the likes of Oxford and Biggin. Otherwise it's in a box in the hold of an airliner - not many of our owners are too thrilled about that.

The ladies who run the pet side at those two are very helpful - Bee at Biggin ( Skypets - London Biggin Hill Airport ) and Laura at Oxford ( London Oxford (Kidlington) Airport EGTK/OXF - Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) – Oxford Airport ) - nevertheless, it's a massive pain in the backside.

Nowhere else in Europe is so bureaucratic

[Daysleeper]

Nowhere else in Europe is so bureaucratic

Nowhere else in Europe is rabies free with a decent chance of staying so through good controls

(Ireland accepted but then they have a similar control system)

And it's not just Rabies there are a whole bunch of other nasty tick borne diseases and echinococcus tapeworm. Though the EU look like they are going to screw us over on that one all in the name of harmony.

[Tableview]

Sorry, clearly I wasn't aware that you were referring to GA but if I'd taken the trouble to see which forum it was in there was a clue there!

[CEQforever]

Keeping rabies out of the UK is always a worthwile attempt.

If you're coming in from the South you could always stop in Jersey, to clear the pets and get cheap fuel, before continuing to anywhere in the UK. PM me if you need details.

[fairflyer]

Flying in pets via Jersey is no less hassle than coming straight to the UK - and you have to pay additional landing fees, handling etc in Jersey. They have the same constraints on tick, tapeworm, rabies jabs etc. Worse, if you fail to comply with any of the requirements or they can't read or find the microchip, they have no quarantine centre, so you have to put that pet back in the cabin at fly it straight back to where it originated from.

Reallly no benefit stopping off there at all.

[His dudeness]

You've got to use an approved 'commercial' operator

there is your answer. Somebody lobbied and had its little kingdom secured. As it seems to be good for the country, there is no one asking questions. This is how Europe works these days, no matter how much the brits brag about hating Europe and its ways, they have been a major contributor to this shift towards commercializing everything. A good portion is also 6 O´clock covering, the authorities are always able to blame an agency, should something happen.

[DX Wombat]

Can anyone explain why the UK is so unbelievably backward when it comes to the importation of pet dogs?

The UK isn't and neither is Australia which also has very strict quarantine/pet importation laws. Long may it continue. Hard luck if your wealthy passengers don't like their precious, spoilt little pooches and kitties having to travel with a proper airline and go through all the correct hoops and channels. I, and probably everyone else in the UK, wish this country to remain rabies free and if that is what it takes then that is what it takes. Before you criticise me and say I do not know what I am talking about - I do. As a family we have exported one dog and six cats to Australia. There was a lot of paperwork, vets bills etc. but it was worth it to know everything was fine. Two of the cats were delayed as there was a temporary ban on export of all animals the day before they were due to depart, something I only discovered when I took them to the vet for their last flea treatment on the morning of the planned departure, so I am perfectly familiar with the frustrations but they were worth it to keep both countries rabies free. Just because someone has money does not mean they have a right to do as they like.

[S-Works]

Fly to Calais. Cone through the tunnel. Pick it up the other side and fly on. You then only have to meet the road importation requirements which are less hassle.

[merlinxx]

Romaro

You want rabies here ??? If you do

[Romaro]

It's not so much the jabs and rabies issues that are the problem, that all makes a lot of sense for this rabies-free island, it's the fact that one can only use a commercial operator/AOC holder.

The whole thing is essentially a paper audit trail and whether one is flying a private Beech Bonanza or a chartered King Air, what difference does it make?

I accept that there needs to be a limited number of approved ports of entry for pets so the people on the ground have the training to check the paper trail and the requisite detention facilities if the dog/cat doesn't comply on arrival - alternatively turn the flight back to where it came from.

The fact that a commercial operator has first to be approved for UK pet importation then every airport pair/route used by that operator also be approved, is so laborious and burdensome.

If I can provide exactly the same passport, vet stamps, tick and tapeworm treatment evidence, rabies jabs evidence and all that has been done within the requisite time-frames, why can't I fly my owner's dog into Oxford or Biggin in a private Cessna piston from say anywhere in Germany?

It's the requirement for only approved commercial operators on approved city pairs/routes that is crazy - and it take an age for those to be approved.

Has anybody in the UK GA community ever lobbied the Animal Health people on this front - or is it the case that they would never listen to the private aviation community being an elite bunch of private aircraft users/owners?

Presumably the Jersey authorities still require a commercial operator to be used? If not, then tthaat is the back door way in with a private aircraft?!

[witchywoo]

When, if ever, will it be easier?

Hi there,

In answer to your question - hopefully never. The UK has been rabies free (from terrestrial rabies) for nearly 100 years. As a resident, I can enjoy the wonderful animal wildlife that surrounds me, and I do not need to get my dogs vaccinated against rabies.

The reason we can enjoy these things is due to the strict entry laws that are prevalent in the UK. We want to remain rabies free, and if making someone's life a little difficult is what it takes - so be it.

All it takes is careful planning and dogs can be imported to the UK, and the UK can be secure in the knowledge that it will remain rabies free for many more years to come.

Good luck with your travel plans - I hope everything runs smoothly for you

[S-Works]

As a matter of point the UK is no longer classed as rabies free but rabies controlled. Looked it up on the DEFRA site.....

[DX Wombat]

That's probably because of the presence of the European Bat Lyssa Virus, Bose.

[Daysleeper]

As a matter of point the UK is no longer classed as rabies free but rabies controlled. Looked it up on the DEFRA site.....

Has anyone told the Health Protection Agency,

This does not alter the status of the UK as rabies-free

link

or

Chief Medical Officer Professor Dame Sally Davies said:

“Rabies is a very serious human disease and the rabies-free status of the UK must be protected.

which is on the er DEFRA website
here

And indeed DEFRA's guide to disease

The United Kingdom has been rabies free since the disease was eradicated in 1922 but rabies is still present in many other countries across the world.

Rabies (classical) « Animal Diseases

That said Lyssavirus is in the UK's bats and if bitten you could develop rabies. Which would be somewhat vexing.

[Dawdler]

Witchywoo

When, if ever, will it be easier?

In fact it is a lot easier now because it actually now permissable to take your pet on holiday (and of course bring it back), previously it wasn't even possible.

My son and his wife went to France with their caravan taking their family dog with them. They went by ferry and the stipulation by the ferry company was that the dog should stay in the car during the voyage. They had to meet health certifcate/vaccination requirements before setting out. At the end of the holiday they had to have a French vet examine the dog and (I think) re-vaccinate the dog which then had to be exported from France within a certain time limit (24 hours?). This all went well because they planned it.

Previously, if you took a dog abroad it would have to be kept quarantined for six months.

If you wish to bring a dog into the country, there are ways and means of doing so. It may just be that your particular preferred method is not available. It is all part of the Rabies control system. Think of it as a traffic control system. You may wish to drive to a certain premise in a town, but it is situated on a one-way street. You have to arrive from a certain direction or not at all.

[DX Wombat]

if bitten you could develop rabies

Which is why you should NEVER, EVER touch any bat you might find. If it appears ill or damaged then put a jam jar / biscuit tin / or similar over it and call for expert help.

[stickandrudderman]

Apparently, IT IS POSSIBLE!
I'll start a new thread.