HOW TO RELOCATE YOUR PET TO THE UK
What is involved in relocating your pet to the UK? The UK has specific requirements when importing your pet to the UK. They follow a set of rules and regulations referred to as the Pet Travel Scheme. Some new changes took effect December 2014 requiring owners to arrive into the country within +/- 5 days in order for the animal to be considered a “non commercial pet”. This requires some planning with the vaccines, travel booking, and vet appointment for final health certificate. Additional documentation may be required for pets with vaccines more than 12 months old. Effective April 2017, The UK now requires a ToR (Transfer of Residence) number required for customs processing and VAT for all pets importing to the UK. Continental Pet Relocation can help with this process to ensure you have everything you need to import your pet to the UK.
A basic summary of what is required to enter the UK from the US: Pets are required to be microchipped and vaccinated for rabies after the microchip was implanted. The ISO microchip is recommended. Pets must be at least 12 weeks of age prior to the rabies vaccine being administered. Pets must have an EU Passport or health certificate for travel. Dogs must be treated for tapeworm between 24 and 120 hours prior to arrival in to the UK. Please check with you pet relocation specialist to ensure an approved treatment is used. Some airlines will require a Letter of Acclimation. The Transfer of Residence is required for all pets arriving the UK.
LEO’S STORY:
Leo saying his goodbyes to his Mum in US
Meet Leo, a 10 month old Cavapoo. We had the pleasure of helping him to relocate to live with his Grandma in East Sussex (South East England) to train to work as a Hospice Therapy Dog. Leo’s mum, Suzanne was heart broken to let him go, but knew that it was a good decision for him and for the benefit of others.
Leo at British Air Cargo ready for departure
As a Hospice Therapy Dog, the goal is to enrich the quality of life for the hospice patient and often their families as well. The sight of the dogs and the touch of their fur often brings peace and joy to those patients whose life once included animals. Physical contact has a calming effect and dogs have the ability to bring back pleasant memories of a person’s life. Therapy dogs help combat loneliness and they give people the chance to have something to look forward to. Exposure to the dogs allows the patient to feel needed and wanted at a time in their life when death is evident.
While working with a hospice program, dogs learn to be able to sense the process an individual goes through with death. Signs may include a change in breathing, restlessness or possible disorientation. In addition to the patient, dogs and handlers often have the ability to comfort family members including children. There are times when the family may request that the therapy dog lay by the end of the bed during the patient’s final moments of life. This might be because the patient loved dogs and the sight of the dog brings a sense of normalcy for not only the patient but the family as well.
Leo at Heathrow Animal Reception Center making friends
Leo with his first Hospice Patient
Click on the link below to see footage of Leo running free in his new backyard !