09 October 2019
The States Veterinary Officer, Brian Smith, is reminding people who import dogs, cats or ferrets for sale or for rehoming to have the correct paperwork when they arrive in the island to ensure entry.
The reminder comes after an incident last month when a person arriving at Elizabeth Terminal was stopped by an Animal Health Officer for attempting to import three puppies to sell. They were refused entry because they did not have an import license or the correct health certification for the puppies.
There are several requirements in place to regulate the sale of dogs and cats across the whole of the European Union, its territories and the Crown Dependencies.
To import dogs and cats into the island for sale or rehoming the following is required:
• an import license which is issued by the veterinary team in Natural Environment
• an EU Intra Trade Animal health certificate
• a valid pet passport for each pet
If you're importing an animal into Jersey, you need to contact the States Veterinary Department as soon as you can. The process to import can take several weeks or even months. To date this year 28 import licenses have been issued to import 19 cats and 83 dogs for sale or rehoming from EU countries entering Jersey.
States Veterinary Officer, Brian Smith said: “Ideally obtaining a pet from a registered local breeder where you can visit the owner and in the case of a puppy or kitten, see it with its mother, is the preferred option as this helps to mitigate disease and ensures the best welfare for the animal.
“However, if people do choose to import they must make sure they follow the correct procedures. If the paperwork isn’t in order the animal and owner may be refused entry and sent back to the port of departure.
“If a person is looking to get a pet from outside the Channel Islands and the UK advice can be found on the government website. There is an associated leaflet with advice on obtaining dogs and cats.”
gov.je