traveling with 2 toy poodles

Until recently England has been rabies-free and has stopped rabies entering the country by requiring all incoming animals be quarantined for six months. The animal was vaccinated for rabies before being placed in quarantine. It takes six months for rabies to manifest, so if they had rabies before the vaccination, it would show up before the six months was up.

The rules changed a few years ago and animals no longer have to go into quarantine. Instead, you prove the animal does not have rabies by vaccinating them, having a blood sample sent to a lab to show that the animal was vaccinated, waiting six months, and then bringing the animal to the UK. You are doing the "quarantine" yourself.

Ireland has a lot of regulations so you need to start planning several months in advance. You can do a search and find the complete regulations.

Greetings
I would not suggest bringing animals abroad - either in carry on case or in the hold, a trans-Atlantic trip is a long journey for an animal and in the UK, that will be your one item of carry-on. But if you really must you need to start planning WELL ahead of time.

The regulations do change, and only certain airlines will carry animals. Also, the rules can vary between countries so you may have issues crossing borders between the UK, Ireland and the rest of Europe. So you need to find out what the regulations are for each country, and make sure that your dogs will be able to cross borders and the airlines/trains you are intending to use will allow them.

The Pet Travel Scheme regs can be read here: http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/pets/index.htm

Honestly, I think they'd be much happier with a doggie-sitter back home.

Kate

The UK does not accept animals from North America as part of the 'Pet Passport' scheme. Any animals coming from North America would have to be quarantined for six months at point of entry. Sorry.

Al, I think you need to look at the website tht Kate mentioned. The UK now lets pets in without being quarantine, but it is takes about 6 months to get all the paper work, blood tested, etc. So if anyone is considering taking their dog they should start 7 or 8 months ahead to make sure everything gets completed in time.

My mistake

Thanks to all of you for your responses. Because of your information we've decided to leave them with relatives in our area. (I'm relieved.) This is a great site!
Morgan

Hi All- I would like to take my dog to Germany for a short trip, do I need to have him quarantined on the way back into the UK?