PETS - Communication is key

The College has received some complaints from dog and cat owners relating to the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) and their expectations not being met regarding the level of advice given to them by their veterinary surgeon.

Owners have felt that, when they have paid for a veterinary surgeon to assist them with part of the PETS process - notably the exit requirements from the UK - adequate advice should have been given regarding the re-entry requirements and any potential problem areas.

For example, some owners unwittingly disqualified their pets from re-entering the country as they were unaware of the requirement for tick and tapeworm treatment to be given between 24 and 48 hours before the animal is checked in for its journey into the UK.

Although owners must also carry responsibilities, it is good practice for vets to make sure that they have the full picture. It might be useful to offer a handout explaining what needs to be done next and when. In fact Defra recommends that its leaflet Notes for dog and cat owners wishing to take their pet abroad is used for this purpose.

In addition confusion has arisen regarding which elements of the passport require Official Veterinarian (OV) signature.  Full details are available on the Defra website, but in short, the passport must be filled out as follows:

• Sections I-III: can be completed by practice support staff or veterinarian. The owner may affix the photograph in Section II

• Section IV: the first two boxes can be completed by a practice veterinarian. The final box (authorised veterinarian) must be completed by a Panel 2 Official Veterinarian (Local Veterinary Inspector)

• Section V: must be completed by a Panel 2 Official Veterinarian

• Section VI: can be completed by a practice veterinarian

• Section VII: can be completed by a practice veterinarian

• Section VIII: can be completed by a practice veterinarian

• Section IX: can be completed by a practice veterinarian

Where appropriate, the passport should be stamped and signed by a panel 2 Local Veterinary Inspector appointed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department or National Assembly for Wales as an OV for export purposes. The passport must be signed and stamped with the OV stamp in any ink colour other than black.

More information on the scheme can be found on the Defra website.