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Family pets could end up behind bars - if their jabs aren't up to date.
Owners are being reminded to make sure their pets' vaccines are in order and in accordance with Pet Travel rules after a number of family animals had to put in quarantine over the Christmas period.
Four dogs returning to Jersey were put into quarantine while a cat taken to France before Christmas wasn’t allowed to travel back because their owners took them out without a valid rabies vaccination.
Pet owners must ensure their pet has a valid rabies vaccination to travel both ways between Jersey and mainland Europe. If not previously vaccinated or if the vaccination has lapsed, the animal must be vaccinated at least 21 days before travel. After that, regular booster vaccinations are needed.
Pictured: One cat wasn't allowed to travel back to its island home over the Christmas period because it was not vaccinated against rabies.
States Veterinary Assistant Ashley Pinel said: "In common with the UK and elsewhere in Europe we have these rules in place to protect the island from serious, life- threatening diseases like rabies. Pet owners need to plan ahead, and must check if their pet rabies vaccination is up to date at least three weeks before travel and visit their vet if it has expired or is close to expiry. Never take a pet out of the Island without checking what is needed."
"The consequences are costly – both financially and emotionally. Quarantine facilities in Jersey are expensive. A dog is separated from its family and held in a kennel, with no outdoor walks for as long as three weeks; it can be upsetting for the pet and its owner."
In 2017, 93 pets failed the checks for travel to the island while some pets did not have a valid pet passport when leaving Jersey. The most common reason for the failure was the absence of a valid tapeworm (echinococcus) treatment which is needed to return to Jersey. Dogs must have a tapeworm treatment at least 24 hours and not more than five days prior to arrival to the island.
The second most common reason for failure was the absence of a valid rabies vaccination, or details which hadn't being correctly recorded in the pet passport by the vet.
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