7 January 2000

Act now totravel with pets this Summer

The National Office of Animal Health advises petowners who may want to take their pets on holiday this summer to see theirveterinary surgeon now.

Welcoming the recent MAFF announcement of the start-dateof 28 February for the pilot Pet Travel Scheme, NOAH Companion Animal VaccineGroup chairman, veterinary surgeon David Sutton says: Getting your animal ready to travel under the scheme needscareful planning.

There is a specific procedure to follow, and petowners who want to travel abroad next summer with their pets should talk totheir vet now says Mr Sutton. Underthe scheme, dogs and cats must be microchipped, vaccinated against rabies, andthen blood-tested 30 days later. Oncethe pilot scheme is in operation, owners will need to wait a statutory 6 monthsfrom having their animal blood tested before the animal can return to theUK. However, if the blood sample isobtained before the scheme starts, this additional 6 month period willnot apply.

In practical terms this means that to stand achance of being eligible to travel during the main summer holiday period thisyear, pets should really be vaccinated now, and certainly no later than 26January, he adds.

Details of the Pet Travel Scheme are available fromMAFF helpline 020 8330 6835 or e-mail pets@ahvg.maff.gov.uk and websitehttp://www.maff.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/default.htm.

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Notes for Editors

1.     For further informationcontact Roger Cook or Alison Glennon on 020 8367 3131, e-mail noah@noah.co.ukor visit the NOAH website www.noah.demon.co.uk

2. TheNational Office of Animal Health was formed on 1 January 1986 to represent theUK companies which research, develop, manufacture and market licensed animalhealth products. The association has 36 corporate members and 11 associatemembers. In 1998 NOAH's members accounted for around 95% of the 384 million UKanimal health market, with additional valuable exports.