Since ex-marine Paul 'Pen' Farthing brought 173 animals to the UK from Afghanistan, his actions and the way the operation was handled have been thrust into the spotlight.
Farthing, the founder of Nozad animal charity in Kabul, landed at Heathrow Airport on Sunday morning (August 29) having rescued 94 dogs and 79 cats.
It is understood the 173 animals are currently being housed in a quarantine kennels and their future in the UK is yet to be determined, TeamDogs reports.
The Sunday Times, quoting a senior official in Whitehall, has predicted the animals could be condemned to death despite all the efforts and controversy to get them out of the country.
‘If they turn out to be riddled with disease, Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) will have to put them down,’ the official is quoted as saying.
According to the UK Government, an owner – or rescue centre – must have proof their dog, cat or ferret has been microchipped, vaccinated against rabies, and has a pet passport or health certificate before it can be granted entry into the UK.
Dogs are normally expected to have had tapeworm treatment before travel; this must be given no less than 24 hours and no more than five days before entry to the UK.
If these requirements have been met before travel, an animal can then be placed into quarantine for up to four months. This is because they may be carrying a harmful disease that could be introduced into the wider population if unchecked.
The rules on bringing an animal into the UK vary depending on where the animal is travelling from and whether the country is ‘listed’:
Listed countries
Part one of the list includes all EU countries as well as Andorra, Norway, the Canary Islands and others.
These are countries from which the UK will accept pet passports or a Great Britain pet health certificate as proof of entry.
Animals coming from countries on part two of the list can have a Great Britain pet health certificate as proof of entry, but their pet passports will not be accepted.
The USA, UAE, Australia and Japan, among others, are listed in this section.
The animal then must be up-to-date on their vaccinations, with proof that they have been fully vaccinated 21 days before travel.
They must have been microchipped before or at the same time they have received their rabies shot, otherwise they will need to complete a course of vaccinations again.
Unlisted countries
Animals coming from unlisted countries have further checks they must go through before being accepted into the UK.
Firstly, the pet must have a blood sample taken at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination. The blood sample must be sent to be processed at an EU-approved blood testing laboratory.
The results of the blood test must show the vaccination was successful and the rabies antibody level is at 0.5 IU/ml at least.
A three-month waiting period applies after the blood sample before travelling to the UK.
Approved routes
You can only use routes and companies approved by the Animal and Plant Health Agency in order to transport pets to Scotland and England.
If travelling to Northern Ireland you will need to contact the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.
Pets usually travel as cargo, but different rules apply when the animal is an assistance dog, like a Guide Dog.
Travelling with more than five animals
Many UK-based rescue centres bring dogs from abroad to be rehomed, meaning often they will have more than one animal travelling at a time.
The shelters then must always follow the commercial rules for importing animals if they’re being rehomed, sold, or their ownership is being transferred to owners in Great Britain, even if you’re travelling with fewer than five animals.
The process can be very complex, and new Brexit rules have added further complications as the animals will need different paperwork while travelling through the EU, and then upon arrival to the UK.
Caring for your pet in quarantine
Finally, due to Covid-19 restrictions, owners travelling with their pets can also be subject to their own set of rules.
If you have travelled from a red list country you won’t be able to leave the place you’re staying while you’re in quarantine to take your pet out for a walk or for vet appointments.
If you’re staying in a quarantine managed hotel, you cannot have your pet with you, unless they are a service animal.
You could arrange for someone who is not self-isolating or in quarantine to look after your pet while you’re in quarantine, or to collect your pet when it needs to leave the place you’re staying for any reason.
Visit gov.uk for more in depth information on travelling to the UK with animals.
