Rabies vaccine

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stormox

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One of the animal charities (AHAR) which regularly bring vanloads of dogs from Ireland to the UK for re-homing by English charities is trying to get people to donate towards the cost of rabies vaccinations and pet passports. They are saying this is now the law. I had understood there is (and always has been) a common travel zone between the UK and Ireland. I myself regularly travel back and forth with my dogs. Does anyone know if this is true? I have tried looking on the English DEFRA and Irish TEAGASC websites but cant find anything. And I came across on the ferry 2 weeks ago and never saw any signs up. It is a bit worrying to think I could get to the ferry one day and have my dogs confiscated or something. Thanks for reading.
 
It is law but until recently has not been applied. It is being applied now to prevent commercial trafficking of dogs.

The commercial vanloads being bought from Irish pounds and sold here under the guise of rescue is part of the problem.
 
They're now tightening up on this law, for the reasons given by S4S. There's been a bit of a hoo hah about it among the show fraternity who would be going back and forth. Most of the people I know will take their dogs to Europe anyway so already have a PP.
 
il throw a more detailed reply in later when I have the time...but yes dogs travelling between the Republic of Ireland and the uk are now expected to have a valid pet passport and therefore be vaccinated for rabies within the time limits. ..nonsense in some ways as the border between northern ireland will not be policed so commercials can just leave from the belfast and other northern ports instead.....but the ferries are ment to be having a crack down.the offical line i have read is that there were concerns raised that dogs from continental europe were entering the uk through ireland and increasing the risk of foreign diseases....which also doesnt make sense as they should be passported and checked before entering ireland from france etc anyway! The end result is that yes all dogs travelling now need to be passported and that the loophole of allowing free movement between the 2 rabies free coutries is gone. Bit of a disaster for the already financially struggling rescues as passports are expensive but in some ways not entirely a bad thing....dogs been shipped should be healthy before leaving and there has been some concerns raised in the past about the health of some of the dogs being sent abroad.
 
I think, Aru, that dogs entering EITHER the UK OR the Republic from continental Europe are meant to have a passport/rabies jab. But between UK and Ireland, two rabies free countries? It seems a bit unnecessary. Dogs have always crossed the Irish Sea, for dog shows, mating, holidays etc with no need for paperwork.
 
stormox said:
I think, Aru, that dogs entering EITHER the UK OR the Republic from continental Europe are meant to have a passport/rabies jab. But between UK and Ireland, two rabies free countries? It seems a bit unnecessary. Dogs have always crossed the Irish Sea, for dog shows, mating, holidays etc with no need for paperwork.
Click to expand...

Thats what has changed...they are talking about enforcing the pet passport between the two countries,rabies included, even though they are both rabies free.....

On the UK site they advise contacting specific countries to find out exact requirements Ireland is one of these...

"There are no requirements for pets travelling directly between the UK and either the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man. Owners of pets entering the Channel Islands, Isle of Man or the Republic of Ireland from outside the UK should contact the appropriate authorities in those countries for advice on approved routes and any other requirements.

For the Republic of Ireland visit www.agriculture.gov.ie or e-mail pets@agriculture.gov.ie, or ring the Helpline on +353 1 6072827. "

In spite of the note quoted above tellng you to contact the Irish dept of agriculture before travel there is no mention of exemptions due to rabies free statis and Ireland it is included in the list of EU countries requiring a pet passport further up the page.

https://www.gov.uk/pet-travel-information-for-pet-owners
 
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Just found this on the irish citizens information..

Pets from EU member states

If you want to import a cat, dog or ferret into Ireland from any EU member state INCLUDING THE UK, the pet animal must have an EU Pet Passport, (this document is the same throughout the EU).

The Passport certifies that:

The pet is travelling from an eligible country.
The pet is identified by an implanted microchip.
The pet has been vaccinated against rabies subsequently at least 21 days before travel
•Dogs must be treated for tapeworm between 24 and 120 hours before travel and the time and date of treatment must be entered on the passport. Treatment for ticks is not compulsory but it is advisable to get it at the same time as the tapeworm treatment.
There is more information about the entry requirements for dogs, cats or ferrets from EU and certain other EU territories on the website of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.


http://www.citizensinformation.ie/e...live_in_ireland/bringing_pets_to_ireland.html

Guess that confirms the rumours in official writing......passports are now needed to travel between the british isles.
 
Does the word 'import' mean dogs travelling temporarily, like holidays, dog shows etc? I always took 'import' to be a permanent thing. Like if I'm in UK and I buy a horse (or dog) from Ireland,or vice-versa, I'm 'importing' it. But if I'm a racehorse or greyhound trainer sending a dog/horse over for a race and its coming home afterwards I wouldn't call that 'importing'.
 
Import makes no differentiation between staying or not.

Once rabies arrives here, & it will, all dogs will have to have a Pets Passport ie rabies vaccination as microchipping is already due to be mandatory.
 
Does any one have any idea how much it costs to get the pet passport? As far as I can see, you would need 3 vet visits- m/chip and !st rabies vac, booster vac, then the day before you travel the flea tic and tapeworm treatment. One of my jack russels is 14, shes travelled with me all her life. I hate the thought of leaving her behind, but Im not sure of the side effects of vaccinating an older dog, even though shes in perfect health.
 
I had a kitten passportsed last year - cost about £60 but already microchipped.
No longer need the second rabies & three weeks wait till travel.
 
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