BRINGING YOUR PETS TO THE UK FROM MALAYSIA

By Dr Betty Chang Teck Soon

The Pet Travel Scheme has been set up to allow cats and dogs to enter the UK from approved countries without going into quarantine.

In order to comply with the Pet Travel Scheme, pet must meet the following conditions, in this specific order;  pets coming into the UK from Malaysia (an approved non-EU country):

1. Pets must be microchipped. The microchip must meet International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards ISO 11784 and ISO 11785. Please bring your own microchip reader if your pet’s microchip does not meet ISO standards. 
2. Pets must be vaccinated against rabies after the microchip and hold a current rabies vaccination.NOTE:  Pets must be at least 12 weeks old at the time of vaccination.
3. 21 days must have passed after the rabies vaccination.
4. Pets must travel with an Official Health Certificate. All pets must have a completed third country health  certificate. It must be endorsed by the necessary authority (this is not the same vet that completes the paperwork).  
5. Pets must travel on an approved route with an approved airline. This means that there is no longer the requirement for a blood test or for 6 months to pass after the blood test; before the pet enter the UK. 
6. Dogs only – Must be treated for tapeworms between 24 and 120 hours prior to arrival in the UK. The treatment must be within a licensed product containing praziquantel.

PLEASE NOTE: Pets must travel with supporting documentations – this means:

• All appropriate health certificates.
• Proof of microchipping: certificate of registration/ patient notes/ letter from vet.
• Proof of rabies vaccination: Vaccination card/ Rabies vaccination certificate – these MUST have the microchip number on or there will be delays.
• Whichever country your pet comes in from, it must travel as manifested cargo and clear customs.  In order for us to clear the pet through customs we will need a customs C5 form completed- one is available on the right to download, along with a map to the Animal Reception Centre at Heathrow; where pets can be collected from on the day of arrival.

For Dogs and Cats from the Malaysian Peninsular

A dog or cat from Malaysia (Peninsular) is prohibited from entering the UK unless it is accompanied by certificate issued by the Malaysian government veterinary health services which confirms:

• It has had no contact with pigs during at least 60 days prior to export.
• It has not been resident on holdings where during the previous 60 days any case of Nipah disease has been confirmed.
• It has had negative blood test results carried out in a laboratory approved for testing for Nipah virus antibody on a sample of blood taken within 10 days of export.

IMPORTANT NOTE

The above information is based on my opinion only, and as such is advised on the Pet Travel Scheme requirements and not official guidance. To this end we are not liable for any errors. We have been advised by the authorities that we cannot give such guidance, and that it is the owner’s responsibility to ensure that all requirements are met in order for their pet to enter the UK under the Pet Travel Scheme.

PLEASE NOTE- IT IS THE OWNER’S RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE THAT THE ABOVE PROCEDURES ARE MET.

For further information regarding preparation, approved countries, carriers and routes, please see the DEFRA website, along with the General Pet Travel Advice and Pet Travel Scheme FAQs.