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Before you travel with your pet

Before travelling abroad with your pet, you must book your return journey into the UK with one of the many PETS-approved carriers, on a PETS-approved route. There is a limited amount of space, allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. You must book in advance as your pet will not be allowed to travel without a prior booking.

Taking care of your pet when travelling

These tips can help make your pet's journey as comfortable as possible:

  • make sure your pet is as fit and healthy as possible to withstand the journey
  • give them a light meal about two hours before they travel
  • give your pet the opportunity to go to the toilet before it is put in its carrying container
  • let your pet 'try out' the carrying container before the trip
  • the carrying container should be well-ventilated, roomy enough for the animal to move around, safe and have adequate food and water for the trip, with easily refillable containers for a long journey
  • put a familiar-smelling cushion or rug in the container to help your pet settle

Returning to the UK

When returning to the UK, transport staff will check your pet passport to ensure the requirements of the scheme have been met. If there is missing paperwork or your pet has not been prepared correctly it may be:

  • taken into UK quarantine
  • returned to the country from which it has just come

Travel with registered assistance dogs

The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, in partnership with other UK assistance dog organisations, Defra and a number of UK airlines has produced a set of guidelines for registered assistance dog owners wishing to use PETS.

Pets entering the UK on airlines under the Pet Travel Scheme must normally be carried in the hold. However, guide dogs or other assistance dogs are allowed to travel in the cabin with their owner on certain approved routes.

The people with disabilities section also gives more information on assistance dogs.

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