quick guide to bring a cat into UK

This is a very condensed version - for fuller info go here https://www.gov.uk/pet-travel-inform...for-pet-owners and here https://www.gov.uk/pet-travel-inform...port-companies

DEFRA is the organisation dealing with importation of animals into UK - they set the guidelines.


In order to be imported FROM a EEA country (that's a set list of countries) https://www.gov.uk/pet-travel-inform...nd-territories, a cat has to have

• a DEFRA passport - get it at your vets
• an identification chip
• THEN have been vaccinated against rabies - beware: the cat can only travel back in the UK at least 3 weeks after the shot.

Contrary to what the vets might tell you, they do not need parasite treatment - that's only for dogs.

From a country that is not part of the list, the rabies vaccine has to have been verified:
this means that you have to have it done at least 3 months before the return into the UK, have a blood test on the 3rd month that confirms that "it worked" and your cat is now successfully in absolutely no danger of getting rabied for a year.

OK so now that's for the LAW, the rules, what you need.... It's simple really.

The complicated thing is actually getting your animal in - especially if you don't drive.
It can only be done via approved routes.
Firstly, flying with your cat in the cabin is a big fat no-no. No company is approved to allow this, even though if you go to the airport and ask customer service they'll tell you "yeaaaah no worries you can do that" NO you can't. Don't do like me, don't go ahead and book your Paris-> Newcastle flight thinking "I've been told I can so I will", you'll only be refused on boarding.
Also, only 2 routes allow you to carry your cat by sea as a foot passenger. If you don't have a car you have to take the P&O ferry from zeebruge to hull - or Brittany Ferry from le havre to portsmouth - for any other route you have to have a car. https://www.gov.uk/government/upload...ail-routes.pdf oh and your precious will stay in the car while you have to go to your cabin, so don't take a 14 hours trip

Amsterdam (Ijmuiden)

North Shields

DFDS Seaways

Don't try to go via Eurostar with your kitty tucked under your seat either. Nope, doesn't work. If you want to go via the tunnel, you have to take the Shuttle, in your car - then you get to keep your kitty with you in the car for the crossing.

By plane, the only way is by cargo. I haven't investigated that route as much, but here is what I know:
your cat can only be sent to an approved airport, at the moment that's Heathrow, Manchester, Edinburg, Gatwick, Bristol, Doncaster.
Once again, you can't hope to take your baby with you on your lap in the cabin - no carreer is approved for this.

It also has to be an approved carrier - so Air France for example couldn't take your baby to any of those 6 airports, they can only take them to Edinburg. Also - it has to be a Air-France KLM Cargo Flight - you can't choose a Airfrance/Swissair flight for example, that wouldn't work.
The list of approved routes/carriers can be found here https://www.gov.uk/government/upload...air-routes.pdf

You can choose to book your baby's flight yourself, however there are things to look out for - also, when they land you have to pay 350£ to DEFRA for admin fee.
You can also ask a Pet Travel Agent to help you - do the search and the bookings... I was told, to leave from Paris, to Heathrow it would be 1500£ .

If like me you live in the North of UK, and don't want to pay 1500£ your only option seems to be a ferry or shuttle crossing.

If you are planning to do this, please have a read of the DEFRA website, there is much much more info there. For example If you are bringing more than 5 pets with you to the UK, either from Europe or another country, then you will require additional documentation.

if you wish to add to this, please feel free!