Taking 3 cats and a chinchilla to England, permenantly

[Wendy]

Posted by Wendy on February 14, 2002 at 15:26:01:

I am moving to England over the summer sometime in Aug, and I have 3 cats and a chinchilla that I want to take with me. I need to know the procedures for both types of pets. Can anyone help me?

[FTF]

Posted by FTF on February 28, 2002 at 14:17:41:

In Reply to: Taking 3 cats and a chinchilla to England, permenantly posted by Wendy on February 14, 2002 at 15:26:01:

Regulations regarding the import of pets into E.U. countries have been changing recently. Although some European Community members have loosened their requirements, several have begun to require that proof of vaccines and other identifying features be implanted on computerized chips inserted just under the pet's skin (by a vet) which can be read by special readers at certain border crossings. These E.U. rules are certain to affect Great Britain's regulations. You are best off to check with the nearest British Embassy or Consulate within a month of departure to receive the latest requirements.

[stephanie]

Posted by stephanie on September 24, 2002 at 11:38:25:

In Reply to: Re: Taking 3 cats and a chinchilla to England, permenantly posted by FTF on February 28, 2002 at 14:17:41:

i have also had the same problem, only with two guinea pigs. i have taken it a step further to ask my state's veteranarian if there is a vaccine against rabies for guineas and there isn't. so then i asked if they are even at risk, and he said it's a very minimal risk. he said in his career he hadn't seen one. i also looked up american import laws. ours only covers dogs, cats, primates, and turtles. england's on specifically covers cats, dogs, and rabbits from what i've seen. kennels are so expenisive, and there is not an authorized one i can find in nottingham (which is the city i'm settling in). is there anything you can advise me to do, seeing as you've gone through this?

[Hayley]

Posted by Hayley on April 12, 2003 at 14:50:13:

In Reply to: Re: Taking 3 cats and a chinchilla to England, permenantly posted by stephanie on September 24, 2002 at 11:38:25:

Hi Stephanie
im not sure if you have already returned to the UK, but i was wondering if you could offer any info on what i have to do to move back there from CA
Thanks
Hayley

[constance]

Posted by constance on March 06, 2002 at 11:02:42:

In Reply to: Re: Taking 3 cats and a chinchilla to England, permenantly posted by FTF on February 28, 2002 at 14:17:41:

Unfortunately it is far more complicated than that. I am moving to England in the Fall and have found, by contacting DEFRA in England (www.defra.gov.uk) that the scheme which allows pets to travel into England with proof of rabies, etc., does not currently cover the United States. The only current option is six months' quarantine for the pets. England is considering extending the easier entry requirments (i.e., jump through their hoops and no quarantine) but the process takes seven months. Quarantine is expensive, too.

Good luck!