Travelling with a cat to Germany from the UK?

First, the EU site that covers pet import, and is the agency that makes the rules:

http://ec.europa.eu/food/animal/liveanimals/pets/n...

http://ec.europa.eu/food/animal/liveanimals/pets/q...

"For movements of pets between EU Member States other than Ireland, Sweden, Malta and the United Kingdom, valid rabies vaccination is the only requirement for travel across borders.

An electronic microchip (transponder) will allow for easy identification of the animals, to connect the pet to the passport. Until 3 July 2011, a tattoo will be allowed as a way to identify the animal. For the entry of animals into Ireland, Sweden, Malta or the United Kingdom, antibody titration needs to be carried out after the vaccination."

And the German site:

http://www.zoll.de/english_version/faq/a0_passenge...

The 7 months is if you plan to return to the UK (there are also strict rules for a few other countries, but Germany isn't one of them). The UK requires a rabies titration test several months after the vaccine, which is the reason for the wait (it took 11 months for my cats due to the vaccine type!).

To enter Germany, you need the PETS passport, and only a microchip or tattoo + rabies vaccine. The vaccine must be given at least 30 days before entering Germany, and documented in the passport.

I spent hours on the phone with Defra trying to get the information about moving my cats out of the country (without an updated rabies vaccine), and the final response was that no titration test is needed if you are moving animals out of the UK and don't plan to return. If you want to verify this, contact the German Ministry for Food and Agriculture:

https://www.bmelv.de/cln_163/EN/Services/Contact/c...

The rabies regulations are quite complex and different according to each country you intend to visit, hence your confusion.

The website below has a comprehensive description of the requirements.

Best thing to do is read it, but essentially it says your cat must have a valid rabies passport and the vaccine must have been administered at least 30 days before travelling but no longer than 12 months.

Your cat also has to be micro-chipped (before the blood test)

The results from the blood test must be back as well. When the cat is vaccinated you have to wait a month before a blood test can be taken, it is then sent off and the results returned, usually within a week or so. You need to allow enough time for this, so I would say at least 6 weeks before travelling, unless of course the cat is already vaccinated and the booster is not due. Your vet should be able to help you with all this as well.

The 6 months thing may come from the UK requirement i.e. if going to the UK the rabies vaccination should be administered and validated 6 months before travelling. I don't think this applies in Germany, but read the detailed information to be sure.

The first thing we would say is trust your vet - he/she is registered with DEFRA and knows the PETS passport scheme upside down, inside out and backwards. He/she would never lie to you - he/she would lose their licence.

The process is as follows:

A subcutaneous (below the skin) microchip identification implant that meets ISOP specification

Vaccinated against rabies (and given booster vaccinations as required). Note: "Microchip MUST have been implanted before the first injection.

At least 30 days after the initial course of rabies injections is completed, they must be blood-tested (commonly blood serology test) to show that vaccination was successful, if they fail, they must be vaccinated and tested again.

Following successful vaccination, a health certificate signed by a veterinary surgeon holding LVI status will be issued, indicating that the above conditions have been met.

Once your pet has been successfully blood tested, it will be able to leave the UK no less than 6 months after the date the blood sample was taken.

As for travelling - no problem at all - put kitty in a carrier, have all the paperwork in a folder - arrive at port - present paperwork - have kitty scanned by port authority to ensure "microchip" matches the paperwork - Collect "ORANGE" sticker - affix sticker to windscreen - drive car on ferry. That simple. Once you clear "customs" formalities at your port of arrival that is it - you drive kitty to Germany.

A word of advice: Buy your own "Microchip" scanner from your vet - the ones at the ports are notorious for going haywire. We bought our own ten years ago and keep it in the glove box of our car as our dogs go everywhere with us. Please see this link, it may allay your fears: http://breizh-poellrezh.eu/TravellingwithPets.html

If you have any problems contact the PETS helpline: 0870 2411 710 ( UK 8.30-5pm Mon to Fri) for the latest details.

Hope this information is of assistance.