In 1999 the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS for short) largely replaced the 100 year-old quarantine system in the United Kingdom . The countries and territories from which animals may come under PETS are:
Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Spain , Sweden, Switzerland, Vatican City.
Entry into Spain
Standard house pets are usually not problematic to import into Spain as long as they are accompanied by their owners or an agent and have a valid health record that indicates their origin and they are in good health (this health certificate has a validity of ten days only.) Officials are particularly concerned that their vaccinations are up-to-date and the certificate must show that the pet has had a valid anti-rabies inoculation in the last twelve months
Certificates should be obtained from the nearest Animal Health Divisional Office in England. A full list of these offices is available by calling 08459 335 577 , and at www.defra.gov.uk
Exotic animals such as birds, monkeys and other species will need a certificate stating that there has been no local outbreak of disease that would affect the species for the last 60 days. It is best to contact your local Spanish Consulate to confirm any change in the legalities.
Owners planning to take their pets back to the UK should be aware of the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS), for their pet to be able to enter the UK without going into quarantine.
Re-entry into the UK
Pet owners must arrange for their animal to have a microchip implanted in their animal to give permanent proof of its identity. This can be taken care of with your vet. Microchips store the vaccination history of each animal and allow government officials, transport companies, and foreign veterinarians to have an immediate understanding of each animal's medical history. Most microchips meet the International Standards Organisation's criteria, however if your microchip is different you must supply a reader. All vaccinations must occur AFTER the insertion of the microchip, even if this means double vaccinations. The rabies vaccine must be given to the animal and after thirty days a blood test must be performed to assure that the shot has taken affect. You must check with your veterinarian to arrange a blood test that meets the DEFRA standards. Pets which reside outside the UK or Ireland are required to wait six months after a successful blood test result before entering the UK. Finally, pets must be treated by a certified vet for tapeworm and ticks between 24 and 48 hours prior to return to the UK .
More information can be obtained on the Internet at PETS website at http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/index.htm
For a fact sheet ring the PETS Helpline on 087 0241 1710
or e-mail pets.helpline@defra.gsi.gov.uk
or fax 020 7904 6834
If you plan to drive to Spain with your animal, cat and dog friendly hotels can be searched for on the pettravel.com website:
http://www. pettravel .com/destinations/Spain_EU.cfm