31 May 2000

Early Release for Quarantine Pets

Animals which are quarantined after failing a ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food 'PETS' check carried out by an approved carrier may become eligible for early release if the failure can subsequently be put right according to the latest news release from the MAFF PETS Scheme Website. Currently all cats and dogs imported into the UK which do not meet the requirements of the Pet Travel Scheme must spend 6 months in quarantine. But now it has been announced that an animal which is in quarantine can become eligible for early release from the date that it can be shown to comply with all of the rules. In addition, animals that enter the UK using an unapproved carrier may become eligible for early release from quarantine if they can meet all the other rules of the Scheme. For more information on applying for an import licence or the early release of an animal from quarantine telephone: +44 (0)20 7904 6222. For more information about the PETS rules call the PETS Helpline on 0870 241 1710. There is also currently a protracted discussion on this topic to be found in the uk.rec.pets.misc Newsgroup. For a European viewpoint take a look at Le Dogstop