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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 29th December 2014
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Pet travel rules change
dog
A new passport has been introduced to help prevent forgeries.
New regulations aim to crack down on abuse of the system

Changes to the Pet Travel Scheme come into force today, in a bid to clamp down on abuse of the system. From today (December 29), all pet passports issued will fall under the new rules.

The scheme allows people to travel in and out of the country with their cat, dog or ferret, assuming they meet the criteria. An undercover investigation by the Dog's Trust revealed widespread abuse of the system. Shocking footage shows European vets forging passports and rabies vaccination records and underage puppies slipping through the net undeclared.

In order to improve traceability and prevent passport forgeries, a new pet passport has been introduced from today. New passports contain laminated strips and the issuing vet is now required to provide more contact details.

Other changes include:
  • A minimum age of 12 weeks before pets can be vaccinated against rabies
  • All EU member states must now carry out checks on their borders
  • Owners who cannot travel with their pet when they enter the EU must do so within five days

Existing passports will remain valid for the lifetime of the pet, or until the treatment spaces have all been filled.

Since the rules of the scheme were relaxed in 2012, making it easier for pets to travel around Europe, many in the veterinary profession have raised concerns that this could lead to a rise in the number of illegally imported pets, and therefore the risk of disease.

Between 2011 and 2013, the number of declared dogs entering the UK from Lithuania rose by 780 per cent, and from Hungary, 663 per cent. The Dogs Trust has warned that these figures are merely the tip of the iceberg, due to the high number of illegally imported puppies.

Often, these puppies travel thousands of miles in appalling conditions, without the necessary treatments or vaccinations. The charity says this poses a very real disease threat to people and animals in the UK.

For further information on the Pet Travel Scheme, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pet-travel-guidance-on-changes-to-the-eu-scheme-from-29-december-2014

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.