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Taking your pet dog, cat or ferret abroad

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Rabies vaccinations and boosters

You must get your dog, cat or ferret vaccinated against rabies before it can travel to the EU. Your vet needs proof that your pet is at least 12 weeks old before vaccinating them.

If your pet has already been vaccinated, check if they need a booster vaccination.

The vaccine must be an inactivated vaccine or recombinant vaccine that’s approved in the country of use.

You must get your pet microchipped before, or at the same time as, their rabies vaccination. If you do not, they’ll need to be vaccinated again.

When you can travel

Ask your vet how long you must wait before travelling - some rabies vaccinations take longer to work than others. You will have to wait at least 21 full days after the first rabies vaccination (or the last of the first course of rabies vaccinations) is given. Day 1 is the day after the rabies vaccination.

Example

A vet vaccinates your pet against rabies on 1 October using a vaccine which takes 30 days to work. This means you can travel from 1 November.

Booster vaccinations

You must get regular booster vaccinations for your pet. If you miss the booster, your pet will need to restart their vaccinations, which may delay your travel plans.

Check when the booster vaccination is due on your pet’s vaccination record. This can be found in either their:

If you do not have these documents, check with your vet when the booster vaccination is due.

You do not need to wait to travel after a booster vaccination if there has been no break in the vaccine cover.

Vaccination record

Your pet’s vaccination must be recorded in their pet travel document.

Your pet can be stopped from travelling if the details in their pet travel document are in the wrong place.

Your pet’s vaccination record must show:

  • your pet’s date of birth
  • the microchip number, date it was put in or read, and where it is on your pet’s body
  • the vaccination date
  • the vaccine manufacturer and product name
  • the vaccine batch number
  • the date the first vaccination is valid from (for pet passports issued from 29 December 2014 and all health certificates)
  • the date the most recent vaccination is valid until
  • the vet’s signature and contact details
View a printable version of the whole guide

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