Five steps on how to get an EU Pet Passport for your Dog

Micro chipping your dog is a reliable and very effective way of identifying your dog. Micro chipping your pet is easy and can be done within seconds. Contact your vet for details. It should only cost between £10 to £20. The microchip can be detected using a scanner. It will then reveal your pet’s unique micro chip identity number. The microchip reading is used to match your dog with it’s EU pet passport. But when micro chipping your dog you need to ensure the following:

1. To guarantee that your dog’s microchip can be read by the widest range of chip readers the microchip should ideally conform to ISO Standard 11784 or Annex A to ISO Standard 11785. If your pet’s chip does not conform to these ISO standards you will have to obtain a microchip reader that will. You will need it when your dog is inspected by the passport authorities.

2. Always make sure that you know what your dog’s microchip identity number is. Make a note of it and always attach it to any dog documentation that you take with you. Also store it on your phone for easy access.

3. If you own a rescue dog, or a dog from a previous owner get your vet to check whether it has been micro chipped already. You can then get the microchip details updated into your name. There may be a small charge for this.

After micro chipping your dog the microchip identity number will need to be recorded on their vaccination paperwork. Your dog will need to be vaccinated for rabies AFTER it has been micro chipped. If you have vaccinated your dog before it has been micro chipped, you may have to have them vaccinated again. Your vaccination can be done by your vet. The vaccination record must contain the following:

1. Your dog’s microchip number (make sure it matches your records).

2. The date of your dogs vaccination and any vaccine details.

3. The date by which the booster vaccination must be given. This ‘valid until’ date is vital because if it is missed you will need to have your pet re vaccinated, and in the case of the UK you will have to wait a further 21 days before entry or re-entry into the UK.

When you have first of all micro chipped your dog and then have them vaccinated against rabies you can then apply for the EU Pet Passport. When doing this you should note the following:

1. In the UK only Official Veterinarians (OV) can issue your dog with a pet passport. If your vet is not an official veterinarians they will be able to direct you to the nearest OV.

2. In other EU countries vets are able to issue EU pet passports.

3. When you are applying for the pet passport you must make sure you have your dog’s vaccination details and evidence of the date of their micro chipping. Remember ONLY vaccinations done AFTER the micro chipping has been done will be accepted!

4. Make sure your dog’s passport and any associated documents contain your pet’s microchip number.

5. For entry or re-entry to the UK the EU Pet Passport must also have a record of your dog’s recent treatment for parasites (see step 4 below)

Your dog must be treated for tapeworm no less than 24 hours and no more than 120 hours before checking in with the transport company. This is a UK specific requirement for pets entering or re-entering the UK. This treatment must be carried out by a vet who must fill in sections VI and VII of the EU Pet Passport. You should also note the following:

1. This treatment must be carried out by a professional vet. You cannot do the treatment yourself.

2. This treatment should be done no less than 24 hours and no more than 120 hours before your arrival in the UK.

3. The product for treating tapeworm must contain Praziquantel.

4. Make sure that your vet takes a reading of your dog’s microchip number before administering the treatment.

5. Make sure that your vet fills in section VI and VII of the EU Pet Passport with the date and time (24 hour clock) of your dog’s treatment. They should also record the product name of the treatment, the manufacturer details. The pet passport also needs to be stamped and signed. Take this short checklist to the vets with you to ensure it’s all been done correctly.

6. Even if you are only planning a day trip away from the UK your dog will still need this treatment. Again, they will need to have had the treatment within the UK and had it done no less than 24 hours and no more than 120 hours before your scheduled return time to the UK.

7. This treatment must be carried out every time your pet enters or re-enters the UK.

Your dog must enter the UK from a listed country or territory travelling with an approved transport company on an authorised route. You will need to check out each individual transport company and their pet policies as each one may differ. Follow any of their guidelines closely and keep to their rules and regulations.