Pet owners urged to seek advice on travel after Brexit

Posted: 2019-06-07

Those preparing to travel from November onwards must contact their veterinary surgeon at least four months ahead of their scheduled travel date.

Those travelling after 31 October urged to consult with their vet ‘as soon as possible’

The Government is encouraging pet owners to revisit official advice about travelling with their animal to the EU after Brexit.

Defra states that if the UK leaves the EU without a deal on October 31, pet owners will need to take additional steps to ensure they can still travel with their animals. This includes a three-calendar month wait before travel and a blood test a minimum of 30 days after the pet’s last rabies vaccination.

Those preparing to travel from November onwards must contact their veterinary surgeon at least four months ahead of their scheduled travel date. For example, if somebody wishes to travel on November 1, they need to discuss their needs with their vet by 1 July at the latest.

“This is a reminder for pet owners of our practical and straightforward advice for pet travel if the UK were to leave the EU in a no-deal situation, said UK chief veterinary officer Christine Middlemiss. “Those pet owners who wish to travel with their pets immediately after 31 October 2019 should consult with their vet as soon as they can.”

She added: “This is about planning ahead to ensure their pet has the correct health protection documented and in place for all possible Exit scenarios. We continue to be in contact with vets to highlight this issue and they are expecting pet owners to consult with them and plan ahead.”

Up-to-date advice on pet travel advice can be found on GOV.UK or by searching ‘pet travel’.

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Endangered turtles rescued from smugglers

A group of endangered turtles have found a new home at London Zoo after being rescued from smugglers.

The four big-headed turtles arrived at the zoo at the end of last year, after smugglers tried to illegally import them to Canada, labelled as toys.

One of the turtles, named Lady Triệu after a Vietnamese warrioress, has moved to a new exhibit in the zoo�s reptile house. She is the only one of her kind in a UK zoo.

Big-headed turtles have such large heads that they cannot pull them back into their shells. To compensate, they have armour plating from head to tail and a very sharp beak to fend off predators. They are ranked number 18 on ZSL�s EDGE of Existence reptile list, which puts threatened species at the forefront of conservation action. Image � ZSL

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Professor Abdul Rahman announced as keynote speaker for BVA Members� Day 2019

Celebrated Indian vet and parasitologist Professor Abdul Rahman is set to deliver the keynote speech at BVA Members� Day 2019.

Professor Rahman will present his insights into the human behaviour challenges of controlling zoonotic disease in his talk: �A One Health approach to rabies elimination in Asia�. The talk will outline efforts to gain political support for dog vaccination programmes in China, as well as the need for a collaborative approach between vets, public health, livestock and animal welfare agencies.

The event takes place on Thursday, 19 September at Brangwyn Hall, Swansea. Tickets are free but must be reserved through the BVA website as places are limited.