Traveling to London with pets can be challenging, especially with the recent tightening of cargo-only restrictions for commercial flights. While these regulations complicate the process for transporting pets and personal items, private air charter offers a flexible, pet-friendly alternative. With a private plane rental, you can avoid the hassles and limitations of commercial travel, ensuring a smoother journey for you and your pet.

Navigating the PETS Scheme for Smooth Entry

Preparing your animal for pet travel under the PETS scheme is not complicated, but you need to plan ahead and start the process well in advance—at least four months if you are traveling from outside the EU. Here are the essential steps:

1. 1. Have your pet microchipped: Your vet can carry this out, and it is not painful for the animal. It must be done first, before any inoculation. If your dog has been inoculated against rabies before being microchipped, it will have to be done again.
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   3. Rabies vaccination: Have your pet vaccinated against rabies after being microchipped. There is no exemption from this requirement, even if the animal already had been vaccinated.
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   5. Blood test for pets entering from outside the EU: After a 30-day waiting period, your vet should test your animal to ensure that the rabies vaccination has succeeded in giving sufficient protection. Dogs and cats entering from and vaccinated within EU or non-EU listed countries do not need a blood test.
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   7. The 3-week/3-month rule: The first time your pet is prepared to travel under the PETS system, you must wait three weeks before you can travel and return to the UK if you are coming into the UK from an EU or listed country. The day of the vaccination counts as day 0, and you must wait a further 21 days. If you are traveling to the UK from an unlisted country outside the EU, your pet must have a blood test 30 days after the vaccination (with the vaccination day counting as day 0) and then wait a further three months after the valid blood test before the animal can enter the UK.
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   9. PETS Documents: Once your animal has passed all the required waiting periods and has had a valid blood test, if that is required, the vet will issue PETS documentation. In EU countries, this will be an EU PETS Passport. If you are traveling to the UK from a Non-EU country, your vet must complete a Model Third Country Official Veterinary Certificate which you can download from the PETS website. No other certificate will be accepted. You must also sign a declaration stating that you do not intend to sell or transfer ownership of the animal.
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   11. Tapeworm treatment: Just before you enter the UK, your dog must be treated against tapeworm. This must be done not more than 120 hours (5 days) before entering the UK and not less than 24 hours. This treatment must be carried out by a licensed vet every time your pet enters the UK. If your dog does not have this treatment during the required period, it can be refused entry and placed into a 4-month quarantine. Dogs entering the UK from Finland, Ireland, Malta, and Norway do not have to be treated for tapeworm.

Once you've fulfilled all the requirements, your animal will be free to travel to the UK as long as rabies vaccinations are kept up to date.

Exceptions and Additional Requirements

• • Jamaica: Pets coming to the UK from Jamaica must be prepared for travel under the PETS requirements in a different country, outside Jamaica.

  • Australia and Peninsular Malaysia: Special extra requirements apply to cats coming to the UK from Australia and for dogs and cats arriving from Peninsular Malaysia.

Authorized Carriers and Approved Routes

Only certain carriers are authorized to transport pets under the PETS system. Before you make your travel arrangements, check the list of authorized carriers for air, rail, and sea travel to the UK. The authorized routes and transport companies can change or may only operate certain times of the year, so check before you travel. If you don't arrive via an approved route, your pet may be refused entry and placed in the 4-month quarantine.

The Other Solution: Traveling the Private Route

Using a private plane rental for your journey provides unparalleled flexibility and comfort. Pet-friendly private jets ensure your pets travel in the cabin with you, avoiding the stress and potential risks associated with cargo travel. This not only provides peace of mind but also allows for a more direct and efficient travel experience, bypassing many of the restrictions and limitations of commercial flights.

In summary, while preparing for pet travel under the PETS scheme requires careful planning, the benefits of using a private air charter are significant. With the convenience of private plane rentals and pet-friendly private jets, you can ensure a stress-free and enjoyable journey for both you and your pets.

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