I hope I am posting on the right bit for this kind of question, apologies if not. My hubby and I are moving to Spain later in the year. We are taking Charlie with us (our 5yr old shih-tzu) and I am completely lost as to what I have to do to get the pet passport underway. I have looked on the net and there is such a lot of conflicting info that I thought I would come to the experts ;o)
Obviously we have to have him chipped but that is as mush as I know. I vaguely know about the injections etc but this is where the different info comes in to play. Some sites say that all this has to be done 6mths before taking your pet abroad, some sites say if you are going from the UK to Spain then they do not need to have the rabies jabs so the 6mth wait is not applicable!!! Argh, please help me, any info would be great!!!!!

Best to contact DEFRA and get the definitive information.
:)

Thank you Jeangenie xxx

Contact the Spanish Authorities in the area you are moving too and they'll explain what the requirements are. The Pet Passport only comes into play if you want to bring the dog back to the UK!

Jesse

Thank you Jesse. I think we need to follow the PEt Passport scheme in case we should ever need to come back. I will give them all a call tomorrow and see what they have to say. Thanks for your help x x

You can take your dog out to spain without a passport only the necessary jabs etc to satisfy the Spanish import regulations (defra will supply you with the forms and details). If at a later stage you wish to bring the dog back then it is wise to start the Pets Passport procedures about 10mths before you wish to return, that way if you get a negative rabies uptake on the testing you have the necessary time to do it again.  Once you have a passport it is only valid for 12mths but can be renewed annually when you have the dog's rabies jab done again --- if you are not planning to return within a yr or 2 it would be costly to keep the passport up for several yrs to allow you to return.

Wow, thank you for your help and advice. So am I right in thinking I can get the pet passport done actually in Spain? We wouldn't be returning with Charlie for at least 2yrs so if possible it would be best to get the passport done there. x x

Yes you can do the passport in any country listed as being acceptable for dogs to be imported to the UK using the passport - which includes spain, you will have to find an approved vet etc but that can be done once you are there, plus you can only use the approved airlines and routes back to the UK when you return.  If you drive back you will need to deal with the necessary forms etc for each country you travel thru, plus you can't travel thru an non approved country and still bring the dog in on a Passport, it would be put into quarantinee on arrival here.

Defra are very helpful with all of this and can be contacted via the website or phone.

NB: So many dogs are coming in and out of the country now, that most vets are well versed with the procedures. Consult with your vet in the first instance. In the unlikely event that they do not know the procedures, they have direct contact numbers with DEFRA and will find out.