CaniX UK: home of Canicross UK and running with dogs or Cani Cross trail runners

PETS Passport: What's involved?

Below is a simple guide to preparing you and your dog for a trip to Europe (or any country approved by the PETS Passport travel scheme). The process has been significantly improved in recent years with the introduction of the dog passport. We have first hand knowledge of traveling to Europe with our dogs, so if you have any questions, please email.

For more detailed information (see http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/index.htm or Tel: 0870 241 1710).

The procedure to follow in strict order:

1	Microchip your dog. We advise you also have your dog DNA tested in the unlikely event that your dog's microchip malfunctions (but this is not a compulsary requirement of the PETS Passport Scheme).
2	Vaccinate against rabies.
3	Blood test after 30 days to make sure the vaccine has given your dog a satisfactory level of protection against rabies. If the rabies is satisfactory you must wait 6 months after this blood test before you can travel freely to and from the UK between PETS Passport approved countries. If the blood test fails, you will need to revaccinate and wait another 30 days.
4	A PETS Passport for your dog can now be issued by your vet (which is similar to our human passport).

Once you have done all the above in that order, you then only have to make sure that you keep the rabies injection up to date (see manufactures expiry on the rabies vaccine - they need only be re vaccinated on or before this date which is normally every 2 - 3 years). You do not have to go through this procedure every time you travel to Europe (see the countries in Europe that you are qualified to travel to on the DEFRA website).

Always make sure you have had the chip scanned a few days before you leave for Europe to make sure it's still there!

To return to the UK from Europe

Your dog must be treated against ticks and tapeworms by a registered vet in Europe not less than 24 hours and not more than 48 hours before it is checked in with an approved transport company for its journey into the UK (most vets in Europe know exactly what to do to get our dogs back into the UK) The tick and tapeworm treatment is normally Frontline and Drontal (same as we use here). The vet will then stamp your dog's passport to say that he has administered both these treatments.

PetMeds will be sending a vet over with CaniX UK to take care of our dogs while at the Championships and administer these treatments and have our passports stamped.

If travelling by Eurotunnel (which we suggest, as you can stay with your dogs throughout the 30 minute journey) there is a PETS booth before you board the Tunnel in France where you take your dog to be scanned. Here they check that the microchip is the same as your dog's passport. You can of course choose to travel by ferry, but your dogs stay in the car without you during the crossing.

Overseas travel insurance (for your dog)

We always take out travel insurance for our dogs when we travel - check whether your dog insurance covers you for overseas travel, as only a couple have this option. If your dogs are covered by PetPlan, cover is only an additional £6 per dog for up to 30 days.

Please check this information with your vet and DEFRA www.defra.gov.uk Tel: 0870 241 1710.