hi, i am looking into buying a siberian husky puppy from the usa,around 10 weeks old. how do i go about this? do they have to be quarantined and how long for and what paperwork/vaccinations/tests etc will i need? any help greatly appreciated!

This is a slightly kinder, more simplified process than it was before the changes in our Quarantine laws, but it is still fairly long winded.

If I were you, I should start here at this website for DEFRA
<a class='url' href='http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/int-trde/animl-im/animl-im.htm'>http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/int-trde/animl-im/animl-im.htm</a>

Also contact the kennel Club
<a class='url' href='http://www.the-kennel-club.org.uk/'>http://www.the-kennel-club.org.uk/</a>

Also contact the airlines you will need to use. I recently exported London - USA using American Airlines and can say they were polite helpful, kind and quoted by far the best price. The puppy arrived in excellent health and condition. Thats not to say I wasn't an utter MESS waiting for the call to say she had got there in one piece ;-)
One tip, ensure you ONLY use a direct flight however as horror stories can come from changes of plane involving delays and misplaced crates if the puppy is going in the hold, which it will need to going Transatlantic really.

AA flew pups at 8 weeks onwards. All others were either 10 or 12 weeks (BA is 12 weeks).

The pup can *do* his Quarantine at his breeders under certain specific regulations, but do contact DEFRA firstly and get the official latest info on requirements.
Di

You have two choices Pet Passport, which will mean pup can come to UK at 10 months old at the earliest, or it can come in at 8 weeks plus (depends on airline) and will ahve to do 6 months quarantine and be able to come out at 8 months or so.

Obviously with the first option the breeder or someone else will have to board the dog for you, but it will be able to be socialised and trained (though of course you won't know how much and what kind it is getting).  With quarantine the pup will be isolated from all other creatures with just your visits for socialisation, and the kennels routines that it may be able to see.

If the quarantine kennels are good and you visit lots and take the time to train etc, and the pups temperament is good then he can come out really well, with very little remedial work needed. 

Our import went to his first shwo 3 days after leaving quarantine, and aquitted himself really well, and most importantly loved everyone and everything.

Equally if the training and socialisation given to the pup by the breeder or boarding facility is poor you could still end up with an undersocialised pup.

The cost is likely to be similar, though of course flying an adult will cost a bit more than a pup.

I thought the PET PASSPORT had done away with the need to quarantine,that the dog/pup had been vaccinated etc.and met certain criteria they were able to come over.

How do dogs now visit Crufts these days with all mentioned in previous post.

From Rabies vaccination to being able to come to the UK under a PP takes at least 6 months & 28 days

The dog must be chipped first & the rabies vaccinated. 28 days later the titre blood sample is taken & sent to an approved lab & if the titre level is high enough the PP becomes active 6 calendar months later

This is how the foreign dogs come to the UK

If you are importing a dog under the PP scheme it takes at least 10 months as the puppy should be 12 weeks old before the rabies vaccination so the dog will be ie three plus seven months old before it can come to the UK hence 10 months of age

If the puppy comes into quarantine it comes in at 12 weeks & leaves 6 calendar months later at 9 months old

There is still compulsory quarantine for dogs outside the PP scheme

Thanks for the info,I'll be able to pass it on to a friend who is thinking of importing from the USA

And of course once the Pet Passport's active (ie 6 months after the blood test proved active immunity) the dog can come and go at any time - they don't have to wait six months between visits to the UK.

Hi Becky75

I have brought a couple of Siberians in from the USA. If you e-mail me I will try to help you.

I used Virgin Atlantic for my Mini Aussie which flew from Miami to Heathrow. However, as said in other replies your puppy would either have to go in quarantine for 6 months or travel under the pet passport scheme which would mean the puppy would be about 10 months old before being able to travel. Mine went under the pet passport scheme so she stayed living as part of the breeders family for the first 10 months. You need to look at the DEFRA website for all the info. http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/index.htm  or you can phone DEFRA (details on website) and they can help answer questions over the phone.    It is very costly either way you choose. Also you need to check that the airlines and routes are approved. Plus if you do use the petpassport scheme check that the vet in the USA knows exactly what they are doing as everything has to be EXACTLY right on the paperwork. If you need any further advice you can PM me and ill help as much as i can. :)

Hello - I live in the US. I have just found out I must move to the UK end of July for work. I have a 5 month old puppy and I just read about the PETS scheme and the 6 month waiting rule. My heart has sunk. Because you have been dealing with pets that have to go through the PETS Scheme do you know of ANY WAY POSSIBLE whatsoever that I will be able to take my puppy with me in July? She has had her rabies vaccine but I clearly won't be able to get a blood test with 6 month passing time before July. I am so upset right now because the thought of leaving her breaks my heart. Is there any way possible that you know?

Thanks so much

The only alternative is for her to go into quarantine kennels for 6 months when she arrives over here. You'd still be able to visit her in kennels. Otherwise you could start the PETS procedure now and have a friend look after her in the US till the 6 months is up.

I don't know whether it's possible to combine the two systems - get her blood tested straight away then for her to complete the remainder of the 6 months wait in quarantine over here. Your best bet is to contact DEFRA to find out.

JG is right unfortunately. I just wanted to add that for a pets passport the dog has to be microchipped BEFORE it is rabies vaccinated. So if your dog isn't microchipped, the rabies vaccination won't count anyway, and would have to be re-done. You can contact DEFRA for more information: http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets/pets/travel/pets/contacts.htm

A good point about the microchipping; that must be done before the rabies vaccine is administered.

This information will help.

Can your company pay towards the importation and quarantine also?

Do you know anyone in another EU country ie germany?

My friend had this issue with some hairless guinea pigs she wanted to bring in, so she sent them to Germany to her friend, and drove over for them...

Becky, ensure these actions are taken or the PETs is invalid.
I have to many through my centre because the vets doit wrong.
(No tipex on mistakes, No crossing out, Everything date and timed,
if it can be arranged Microchip day 1, Rabies Day 2,)

PET PASSPORT CHECK LIST

1.  MICROCHIP
    - Date and Time of implant (must be earliest date i.e. before Relevant Rabies Inoculation)
    - Check number with scanner.
    - Information and number entered into Pet Passport.

2.  RABIES INOCULATION (Min age 12 weeks)
    - Confirm relevant Date and Time.
    - Also ensure that Rabies inoculations are in sequence and that there is no break in vaccination dates.
    - Information and Sticker entered into Pet Passport.

3.  BLOOD SAMPLE 
     - Normal taken 28 to 34 days after inoculations.
     - Must be dated after the above actions.
     - Laboratory report confirming date of test with a good result i.e. Titre above 0.05 is correct.
    - Information and Sticker entered into Pet Passport
     - Pet Passport must be stamped by the Vet.
    - Pet Passport becomes VALID 6 months after date of BLOOD SAMPLE TAKEN.
      
      ADDITIONAL TREATMENTS

4.  Front line -Treatment including the date and time, treatment must be within 48 hours of checking in for transport to England, will be entered in Pet Passport by Vet.

5.  Drontal Plus - Treatment including the date and time, treatment must be within 48 hours of checking in for transport to England, will be entered in Pet Passport by Vet.

6.  Health Certificate - Certify that the animal(s) not more than 2 days prior to the proposed date of travel, was/were examined and found to be free from clinical signs of infectious or contagious diseases, and is/are fit to travel

Richard