As holiday season begins it’s important to check that your pet is travel ready if you plan to take them abroad this summer.

If you wish to travel outside the UK with your pet, the legal requirements vary depending on the other country involved, so you’ll need to check the Defra website for full information: https://www.gov.uk/take-pet-abroad/overview.

It’s also a good idea to check with your travel company to see if they:

will accept your pet for travel – and how many they’ll accept if you have more than one
need any proof that your pet is fit and healthy to travel, for example a letter from a vet or certain information in your pet passport

Remember to leave enough time to get all the necessary treatment and paper work in order before you travel. Pet passports are available from our surgeries to allow cats, dogs and ferrets to travel between listed countries without quarantine.

Book an appointment with your vet well in advance of travel to get started on the right medication at the right time
Check rabies vaccination and pet passport are up to date
Ensure microchip is working and reading correctly
Speak to your vet about preventive treatment needed to protect your dog against ticks, sandflies, heartworm and tapeworm
Talk to your vet if going somewhere hot to discuss prevention of heatstroke and how to recognise signs of the problem in your dog.

Please contact your Oakhill Veterinary Centre to make an appointment or for further information.