Avoiding Quarantine

[luvadog]

UK has a 6 months quarantine if you want to take your pet back.

One suggestion for avoiding this was to take the dog to Canada for 6 months and then to the UK.

1...Does anyone know what the process would be for doing this? What is a "pet passport?"

2...Anyone in Canada who would be willing to foster a dog going to the UK, please step up to the plate.

[doc_ido]

1: You can also do this via Japan. Your dog must be microchipped, vaccinated against rabies while in Canada and then blood-tested, treated for ticks etc. before leaving for the UK. Pet passports are only used within the EU - coming from Canada, you only need certified records. See:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/pets/index.htm

[luvadog]

Does the dog have to be
..........microchipped in Canada?
..........vaccinated in Canada?
If it's rabies, is there a minimum antibody level requiring several rabies vaccines like they have if going to Finland?

What kind of proof do you have to have that the dog has been in Canada the whole time?

Does anyone know the actual cost of quarantine in the UK?

This seems like an excellent business opportunity for a rescuer to help support rescues. Have a decent kennel in Canada--which is NOT a quarantine situation and owners can visit and walk or take the dog on outings---and beat the price that UK quarantine charges.

The other idea is just having volunteer fosters in Canada like here.

[LolaMarigolda]

Does the dog have to be
..........microchipped in Canada?
..........vaccinated in Canada?
If it's rabies, is there a minimum antibody level requiring several rabies vaccines like they have if going to Finland?

What kind of proof do you have to have that the dog has been in Canada the whole time?

Does anyone know the actual cost of quarantine in the UK?

This seems like an excellent business opportunity for a rescuer to help support rescues. Have a decent kennel in Canada--which is NOT a quarantine situation and owners can visit and walk or take the dog on outings---and beat the price that UK quarantine charges.

The other idea is just having volunteer fosters in Canada like here.

If the animal doesn't have an ISO compatible microchip, it is actually a 7 month process because the animal has to be chipped and then get a rabies vaccination with the chip# listed on the vaccination certificate. Then you have to wait a month before you can get the FAVN done. (We recently had this discussion in one of my service dog groups.):)

[luvadog]

Thanks Lola! Any information is greatly appreciated.

[luvadog]

One of our members (I'll let her i.d. herself if she wants) has gotten very creative, with the help of her dad. He suggested that with the 2500 euros=$5000, she should just go to Europe, travel for 6 months on the money, then bring the dog home.

[jonomo]

What about France or other EU countries.. are they as strict as UK?

[Wibidad]

Most EU countries are not as strict as the UK. They only require a special rabies antibody test which involves up to 3 months preparation here. If you have that, no quarantine is needed. I've brought pets to Netherlands with no problem. Microchipping is required, though.

[LolaMarigolda]

What about France or other EU countries.. are they as strict as UK?

A pet passport is required to move between EU countries. Germany seem to have the same import regs as the ROK so that may be the best option for some.

One of ladies in one of my SD groups is from the UK. She was part of the Olympic torch run last year and had a related trip to China as a result. She had to leave her service dog at home because of the UK's quarantine laws. She's been able to visit the US (and return) with no problems.

[sheenerface]

I didn't read every post on this thread, so sorry if it's already been mentioned. I'm from the UK so know all too well how strict the rules are. Before I realised I was moving the US from Korea, and not back to Scotland, I had planned on taking my cats to France for 6 months. It's close enough to the UK to be almost home, but there's no quarantine, and it's an approved pet passport country. However, I was just at the vet today, and we happened to be talking about quarantine in the UK. She mentioned that you don't even have to wait 6 months in the states before trying to get into the UK. You just need your valid rabies, and a blood test which takes about 4 months. It's not that big a difference I guess, but if it were me it would have made a big help. I've volunteered in a quarantine facility at a Glasgow RSPCA, and whilst they were well looked after, there is no way I could put my dog (or any pet) through that. I think stopping by another country first is a great idea, it just takes more planning and a little extra money (which I'm sure will STILL be cheaper than the cost of quarantine!)

[luvadog]

...I didn't read every post on this thread, so sorry if it's already been mentioned. I'm from the UK so know all too well how strict the rules are. Before I realised I was moving the US from Korea, and not back to Scotland, I had planned on taking my cats to France for 6 months. It's close enough to the UK to be almost home, but there's no quarantine, and it's an approved pet passport country. However, I was just at the vet today, and we happened to be talking about quarantine in the UK. She mentioned that you don't even have to wait 6 months in the states before trying to get into the UK. You just need your valid rabies, and a blood test which takes about 4 months. It's not that big a difference I guess, but if it were me it would have made a big help. I've volunteered in a quarantine facility at a Glasgow RSPCA, and whilst they were well looked after, there is no way I could put my dog (or any pet) through that. I think stopping by another country first is a great idea, it just takes more planning and a little extra money (which I'm sure will STILL be cheaper than the cost of quarantine!)
...

Wow, Sheenerface. That info is so valuable. And it's something Americans can do when they go back...foster a dog for a few months for someone if your circumstances allow it.

That's why I love this forum. You could search all week on internet and never get this kind of personal experience. Thanks Karen, for creating ARK!

[luvadog]

in the states... You just need your valid rabies, and a blood test which takes about 4 months...

In fostering and working toward sending 2 maltese to Finland, I've learned we have to give the rabies vaccine several times to get the test to a high level of antibodies required by the EU. When the test passes, then we send the results to Finland.

So if you have time before going back to the States to foster a UK-bound pup, start giving the rabies vaccine 10-20 days apart.

And expect a large vet bill. An ear infection that Toby got in the States would have cost me 20,000 won here but cost $200 in the States. Luckily I talked him down to $120.

[sheenerface]

Quote:
Originally Posted by sheenerface View Post
...I'm from the UK ...Scotland, It's close enough to the UK to be almost home, but there's no quarantine, and it's an approved pet passport country. ...you don't even have to wait 6 months in the states before trying to get into the UK. You just need your valid rabies, and a blood test which takes about 4 months... I've volunteered in a quarantine facility at a Glasgow RSPCA, and whilst they were well looked after, there is no way I could put my dog (or any pet) through that...
Wow, Sheenerface. That info is so valuable. And it's something Americans can do when they go back...foster a dog for a few months for someone if your circumstances allow it.

That's why I love this forum. You could search all week on internet and never get this kind of personal experience. Thanks Karen, for creating ARK!
__________________
" Money will buy a pretty good dog but it won't buy the wag of his tail. " Josh Billings ~..~

Just wanted to make sure the quote above isn't read incorrectly. I'm from Scotland (UK), but I'm not saying you can get into 'the UK' by going to Scotland first! It's impossible, of course, since Scotland is in the UK. Just the way I was quoted makes it sound a bit like that, and I didn't want anyone to get confused! The info I heard of was going from the US to the UK (England OR Scotland!)

:D

[luvadog]

Sorry Sheenerface. I put it back into context and just bolded the things I commented on. I probably shouldn't edit a quote, even with...

Thanks for clarifying that.

[sheenerface]

Sorry Sheenerface. I put it back into context and just bolded the things I commented on. I probably shouldn't edit a quote, even with...

Thanks for clarifying that.


No problem! :)

[LolaMarigolda]

However, I was just at the vet today, and we happened to be talking about quarantine in the UK. She mentioned that you don't even have to wait 6 months in the states before trying to get into the UK. You just need your valid rabies, and a blood test which takes about 4 months.

Did she tell you what site she got her information from? Because the DEFRA site does not reflect any changes to the 6 month wait.

[sheenerface]

Did she tell you what site she got her information from? Because the DEFRA site does not reflect any changes to the 6 month wait.

No, she didn't say where she got the info from. She was a vet on post, although I'm not sure that makes any difference. If DEFRA isn't saying anything's changed, of course go with what the official line is, just to be sure. Sorry I can't be more help!

[LolaMarigolda]

No, she didn't say where she got the info from. She was a vet on post, although I'm not sure that makes any difference. If DEFRA isn't saying anything's changed, of course go with what the official line is, just to be sure. Sorry I can't be more help!

Which base? I opted to go ahead and have a FAVN on Scooter in case of an evac. The staff here (Yongsan) thought I was out of my mind when I insisted that both of his chips and his tattoo number be put on the forms. They only wanted to put his Home Again number on it not realizing that most countries require you to bring a scanner if you don't have a 15 digit ISO compatible chip.

[sheenerface]

Which base? I opted to go ahead and have a FAVN on Scooter in case of an evac. The staff here (Yongsan) thought I was out of my mind when I insisted that both of his chips and his tattoo number be put on the forms. They only wanted to put his Home Again number on it not realizing that most countries require you to bring a scanner if you don't have a 15 digit ISO compatible chip.


It was at CRC. Maybe your vet could call there and see what they know about it?