A pet passport is a document which allows a pet animal to cross international borders without being quarantined or subjected to veterinary testing. Pet passports were first introduced in Great Britain in 2000 under the Pet Travel Scheme or PETS to make travelling with pets easier and less stressful for owners. Earlier, there were strict rules of quarantine of up to six months for any pet animal entering the country to keep out rabies and other infectious diseases. If a quarantined animal was found infected, it was either destroyed or deported.
Over time, PETS was extended to other EU countries, the United States, New Zealand, Australia and several nations around the world, including India.
A typical pet passport has a picture, description and information about the pet and its ownership. It has details of the animal’s microchip or identification tattoo, proof of rabies vaccination and blood tests confirming the presence of rabies antibodies, signed by a registered veterinarian. In some countries, pets must also show proof of treatment for ticks, fleas and tapeworms and additional vaccinations.
Without these documents, the animal could be detained at the border and quarantined, with the owner paying the costs of quarantine, boarding and veterinary examination fees.
The first pet to be allowed into UK under PETS was Frodo Baggins, a pug.
Picture Credit : Google
