My wife and I live in the US and travel to the UK frequently.  We have
a family pet that we would like to take with us at least once, but we
understand that the UK quarantines animals from rabies-positive
countries for an extended period.  Our pet is a dog, about 60 lbs, all
shots kept current, and has an ID chip embedded under the skin.

We would do nearly anything to be able to take her with us.  Is there
anything we can do to avoid the quarantine?  Can we travel to the UK
via alternate routes?

Thanks!

Hekllo lakemirror!

Good news and not so good news!  The good news is that pets who have
met certain criteria no longer have to be quarantined to enter the UK.
 The not so good news is that you have to plan at least six months in
advance to take advantage of this, and are strictly limited in terms
of how you travel.

According to the US Embassy in London:

"From December 11, 2002 properly documented dogs and cats from the
U.S. and Canada can enter the U.K. under the U.K. Pet Travel Scheme
(PETS) without spending any time in quarantine. The process requires
several detailed steps (in this order): your pet must be microchipped,
vaccinated against rabies and then receive a blood test from a U.S.
veterinarian. After reviewing the above paperwork, a USDA-authorized
veterinarian can supply the official PETS certificate needed to bring
your dog or cat into the U.K.. With the proper paperwork in hand, and
a final treatment against ticks and tapeworms shortly before travel,
your pet can enter the U.K. together without a quarantine
requirement!"

American Embassy London
U.S. And Canada Join The PET Travel Scheme
http://www.usembassy.org.uk/ukpets.html

" Pets may not enter the UK under PETS until six months have passed
from the date that the blood sample was taken which led to a
successful test result. Once the PETS certificate has been issued and
after that six month period has passed, the PETS certificate is valid
and the pet may enter the UK."

The Six Month Rule
http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/pets/procedures/vets.htm

[ Essentially, your pet serves her quarantine period at home six
months prior to travel, after being cleared by an authorized vet. ]

Do keep in mind that certain breeds of dogs are not permitted to enter
the UK - if travellers attempt to bring in the following four breeds,
the dogs will be immediately confiscated and destroyed:

    *  the Pit Bull Terrier
    * the Japanese tosa
    * the Dogo Argentino
    * the Fila Braziliero

[ Dangerous Dogs http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/pets/dangerousdogs.htm
]

Alternate routes will not help you avoid quarantine; rather, they
would ensure that your pet be quarantined, which is what you're trying
to avoid.  You must use the PETS system to take your pooch along, and
ensure that you travel by *direct route only*:

"Dogs and cats travelling from the USA or Canada are required to
travel to the UK on an air route approved for PETS by the UK
Government. These routes will take you only to an airport in England,
not one in Scotland, Wales, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man,
Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland. Animals travelling from
the USA or Canada may not enter the UK on a route departing from any
other country. They must also travel as cargo in a container bearing
an official seal (part 3b). Check costs, requirements and procedures
with your travel company well before you travel."

How To Travel
http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/factsheet/usafactsheet.htm#part3

Approved air carriers may be found here:

Air Contacts
http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/pets/contacts.htm#air

The UK's Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)
offers a fact sheet for PETS:

Factsheet - The Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) - USA and Canada
http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/factsheet/usafactsheet.htm
	
Procedures for pet owners are detailed here:

What you need to do to bring your pet into or back into the UK under
the Pet Travel Scheme
http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/pets/procedures/owners.htm

Pets traveling from the United States are subject to additional requirements:
 	
Long Haul countries - more information
http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/pets/procedures/support-info/rfis.htm

There are also procedures your vet must follow:

Procedures for Vets
http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/pets/procedures/vets.htm

For more information about taking your dog to the UK under the PETS scheme:

Pet Travel Scheme Helpline
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Area 201
1a Page Street,
London
SW1P 4PQ 

Telephone: +44 (0)870 241 1710

(Monday to Friday - 8.30am to 5pm UK time. If you cannot get through,
please leave a message on the voice mail)

Fax: +44 (0)20 7904 6206

E-mail: pets.helpline@defra.gsi.gov.uk (please enclose your postal
address and a day time telephone number)

Contact Details
http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/pets/contacts.htm

I hope you find this helpful.  If I can be of further assistance.
please just ask for clarifiction.  I'll be happy to help.

--Missy

Search terms: [ "pets to the UK" ]

Excellent answer, and excellent news too.  Thanks very much for such a
speedy response!