Commercial Trade in Cats and Dogs
New regulations were introduced on 1 July 1994 for commercially traded dogs and cats entering the UK from other European Union countries
The new rules mean that traded dogs and cats can be imported without the usual six months quarantine period providing the terms of the legislation are met in full. The animal(s)
- must come from a holding registered for export by the national authorities in the exporting Member State;
- must have been born and kept on the holding of origin since birth with no contact with wild animals;
- on the day of dispatch they must show no signs of contagious disease;
- must have been vaccinated against rabies when at least 3 months old and at least 6 months prior to export (with boosters if appropriate);
- must have an implanted microchip identifying the animal with a unique number;
- must in the case of dogs must have been vaccinated against distemper;
- must be transported by an authorised carrier from the registered holding of embarkation;
- must have been blood tested 30 days after vaccination (and before 90 days if this is the first vaccination) to show that the vaccination has been effective; and
- must have vaccination certificates signed by an official veterinary surgeon.
where anyone of the above requirements cannot be met, the animal will have to undertake the full six months quarantine at an approved premises or be Exported.
These arrangements cannot be applied to pets because they cannot be proved to have been born and kept on the premises of their birth, without exception. It would also be impossible to regulate the movement of all pet animals in the same way as traded animals. The quarantine rules for pet animals remain in force.
If you would like further details about these regulations please contact:
Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department, Animal Health and Welfare Division, Room 350, Pentland House, 47 Robb's Loan, Edinburgh, EH14 1TY
Tel: 0131-244-6181
Fax: 0131-244-6616
E-Mail: Animal.health@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
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