Get your pet paperwork sorted and avoid quarantine

Sunday 24 July 2016

It's no holiday for pets getting stuck behind bars this Summer and owners are being reminded they could face a quarantine bill of up to £800 if they're breaking the rules with their animals.

The States vet says there's been a big increase over the last two years in the number of pets being brought in without the right paperwork and are dealing with around two pet importation problems a week.

Stephen Sagar said there's been seven animals taken in quarantine so far this year, more than the half a dozen they usually see each year and he says it's both distressing and expensive for owners to have their pets taken away from them.

He said:  "The minimum time they would have to stay would be 21 days if they haven’t had a rabies vaccination so that the animal could build immunity.

“We’re trying to avoid the distress of people having to part with their pest for 21 days, because it is distressing, we all love our animals, it’s very upsetting for people and also there are costs involved. It’s around £30 a night.

“Jersey is a very animal friendly Island and there’s a lot of demand for pets, but anyone thinking of buying or re-homing a dog or cat from mainland Europe must get it from a reputable source and find out about and follow the regulations.

“The rules are in place for good reason – to avoid bringing in a sick pet that may need a vet treatment or that is carrying a serious infectious disease that could affect other animals or people.”

He says owners are responsible for all quarantine costs including transport, vet treatment and kennelling until their animals can be cleared for import or re-exported and regardless of whether you're trying to bring in a dog, cat or ferret for rehoming or for sale, even if no money changes hands or you are transporting it for somebody else, it's classed as a commercial movement and you can't use the Pet Travel Scheme rules.

Mr Sagar is also reminding owners who are planning to holiday abroad this Summer with their pets to make sure their pet passports and rabies vaccination dates are valid for their whole stay.

Anyone using the Pet Travel Scheme can travel with their own pets within the EU. You can find out more here.