05 June 2009
If you're planning on taking your pet to Europe or other countries and want them to be able to return without undergoing 6 months quarantine in the country of departure (Jersey has no quarantine unit), you should make sure that your pet complies with the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) legislation before you leave Jersey. Your vet can advise you on what steps to take.
The PETS requirement is a legal obligation and protects all animals on the Island from diseases such as rabies, blood parasites and tapeworm.
Failure to comply with the PETS legislation can have serious consequences - recently there have been several cases where pets have been refused travel to Jersey as they do not meet the PETS requirement. Please note: pets entering Jersey directly from the UK are exempt from the PETS legislation.
Complying with PETS
The process to become eligible to enter without quarantine takes at least 7 months so it is vital that you plan ahead. You should speak to your vet who can give you information and guidance on the steps to take.
Eligibility to enter Jersey without quarantine
To be able to return to Jersey, the pet must have (in this order):
- been microchipped
- been vaccinated against rabies
- had a blood sample taken (to check the vaccine has been effective)
- waited 6 months from the date the blood is taken
- been treated against ticks and tapeworm by a vet between 24-48 hours before embarkation to come back to Jersey.
Pets must enter Jersey by travelling with an approved carrier (currently only Condor Ferries). Pets cannot return on private boats or private planes.
To keep your pet eligible to travel and enter Jersey using the Pet Travel Scheme, you must ensure booster rabies vaccinations are carried out on time. One day late means the entire process of blood test and 6 months wait has to re-start.
Failures identified at check-in
The most common failures identified at check-in are:
- rabies re-vaccination not carried out in time
- rabies vaccination given late and blood test has not been repeated
- six month wait after the blood test has not been completed
- blood test has not been entered into the passport
- tick and tapeworm treatment has not been given
- the tick and tapeworm treatment is not within the 24-48 hour period
- the vet has not entered the time, signature or stamped the tick and tapeworm treatment
- the vet has not entered the expiry date for the rabies vaccination
- the microchip cannot be read
- date of microchip has not been entered as DD/MM/YY
- microchip date is after rabies vaccination date (procedure not carried out in correct order)
Moving away permanently
If you plan to move away permanently, your pet must have a pet passport to go to Europe. You are advised to give careful consideration to getting (and keeping) your pet compliant with the PETS legislation as circumstances can change. This means having the blood test done and keeping the passport up to date with rabies boosters given on time. This will allow a straightforward return and save a lot of expense and worry.
For more information see "travelling with pets" section
Pet Travel Scheme 
(PDF document, size 155Kb) (opens in new window)
gov.je