Pet owners face months of prep for travel under no-deal Brexit

Pet owners hoping to travel to Europe with their pets may face months of preparation before their trip under a no-deal Brexit.

Owners of cats, dogs and ferrets could have to discuss their plans with their vet at least four months in advance, depending on what category of "third country'' the UK becomes if it quits the EU without a deal.

In its latest raft of no-deal technical notices, the Government said it was seeking discussions with the European Commission to allow the UK to become a "listed'' third country.

Under the best case, this would mean little change in pet travel arrangements.

But if the UK crashes out without agreement and becomes an "unlisted'' country on March 29, there could be a four-month turnaround for securing a health certificate proving pets are effectively vaccinated for rabies.

This means anyone planning to travel on March 30 would need to discuss requirements with their vet before the end of November, the technical notice says.

Pets that have had a blood titre test - which demonstrates they have enough of the rabies antibody - and whose vaccinations are up to date would not have to repeat the test before travel.

Those which have not had the blood test, but whose rabies vaccinations are up-to-date, would have to have the test done before travel, and there would then be a three-month waiting period to make sure no symptoms develop.

Pets without an up-to-date rabies vaccination will need to be vaccinated and then wait 30 days before having the blood test, with another three-month wait before they can travel to the EU.

Owners would have to get a health certificate issued by their vet for every trip to the EU, within 10 days before travel.

Then they would go though a specified point of entry in the country they are travelling to have their pet's documents and identity checked.

Simon Doherty, British Veterinary Association president, warned a no-deal Brexit could put a strain on large and crucial sections of the vet sector, such as those treating small animals, if new transport requirements "lead to a surge in demand for vets to carry out rabies vaccination and testing prior to travel''.

"It's highly likely that owners will not only be affected by veterinary capacity shortfalls, but also face long waits and additional costs for giving an animal the all-clear to leave the UK,'' he warned