The Pet Travel Scheme

The Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) has now been in existance since 2000).  Under the terms of the Pet Travel Scheme, pet dogs (including guide dogs and other assistance dogs), cats and ferrets can be brought into the UK from specified countries without having to enter them into quarantine, subject to the fulfilment of certain conditions.  It also means that people in the UK can, having taken their pet dog, cat or ferret to one of these countries, bring them back to the UK without having to enter them into quarantine.  The Pet Travel Scheme is administered by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

An image of a golden retriever guide dog holding his passport document in his mouth.

The Pet Travel Scheme applies to travel by sea, air or rail. However, it only operates on routes which have been agreed by DEFRA. A travel operator, e.g. an airline wishing to operate the scheme on a particular route, must agree, and have approved, a Registered Method of Operation for the route with DEFRA.

Pets travelling on airlines under the scheme are normally carried in the hold of the aircraft.  There is an exemption within the scheme to allow guide dogs or other assistance dogs to travel in the cabin with their owner.  However, until 13 April 2004 a requirement that dogs must be carried in a sealed container on some international routes meant that it was not practical for a guide dog or assistance dog to travel in the cabin on many routes.

This requirement for dogs to be carried in a sealed container has now been removed and has opened the way for airlines to allow guide dogs and other assistance dogs to travel in the cabin with their owner.

In light of this Guide Dogs established a working group, bringing together representatives from the airline industry, Defra, The Department for Transport and The Civil Aviation Authority, to look at the way in which airlines should carry guide dogs and their owners on both short haul and long haul routes in and out of the UK.

In April 2005 a comprehensive advice and support document was launched at Gatwick Airport, along with a policy for the carriage of guide dogs and other assistance dogs by UK airlines, enabling Guide Dog Owners to plan and prepare for international travel under the Pets Passport Scheme.

To help guide dog owners, details of the Pet Travel Scheme and advice about guide dog travel overseas can be found on the following pages.  While every effort will be made to ensure that this information is kept up to date, please note that it may be subject to change. For further information and advice, please contact the Policy Department at Guide Dogs' head office on 0118 983 8304.

We would also advise you to check the latest PETS information by visiting the Pet Travel Scheme section on the DEFRA website (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) at: www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/pets/index.htm

Download guidelines on preparation of UK guide dogs and other assistance dogs for international travel as a PDF (874kb)

Download contact details for Passenger Assistance Services at UK Airports as a PDF (28kb)

You can also speak to a pet travel advisor by calling the PETS Helpline on 0870 241 1710, or alternatively email at pets.helpline@defra.gsi.gov.uk