Moving back to UK with my Mutt!
 

Hello people!



I've read a few of the threads about moving back to UK with my dog (mixed breed) from the USA.

I've read Defra, and quite frankly my simple mind cannot take in all that info and process it into logic.

I have gotten in touch with a petmoving company and have gotten a quote, but i'm sure there is a LOT to do before confirming that I want their service. I read something about registered vets or a registered office to send blood tests etc to. Has anyone done this and can anyone give me a step by step on exactly what is needed?

Thanks!

Kevin

Re: Moving back to UK with my Mutt!
 

This was my reply to the same question you asked in another thread:

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showp...4&postcount=33

Hope it helps.:)

Re: Moving back to UK with my Mutt!
 

Thanks :)

Re: Moving back to UK with my Mutt!
 

I moved from Spain with 2 dogs. When I first read what was needed I couldn't get my head round it all either. The vet explained and once we'd started tests etc it was relatively straightforward, just takes a while as it's about 8 months altogether (6 from when the bloodtests are taken)
Just get everything underway .good luck

Re: Moving back to UK with my Mutt!
 

Hi Kevin.....I know it can be confusing.........but several of us have been through it before and it can be done. What you need to know is it takes 7 months from start until your dog is ready to ship.....and here's a thread where I laid it all out.

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...89#post5032489

Steps for shipping your pet from the US to the UK
(microchip the pet first)
Steps:

1. Get the rabies shot
2. Wait about 4 weeks and have your Vet draw blood and send to the Kansas Lab for results.
3. Once you get the results of the titer test wait 6 months.
4. Have the certificate endorsed by the USDA (Federal) Vet ....this is not the same thing as a USDA Certified Vet. A lot of Vets are USDA certified but the Federal Vet works for the USDA......once the certificate is endorsed it's good for 4 months....if you don't leave the country in that time frame, the Federal Vet must endorse a new certificate. Make sure you do not let your rabies vaccination expire. Get it renewed at least a month before it is due to expire.
5. Once you are ready to fly and have your date booked, get a Health Certificate to fly your pet out of the country. It must be issued within 10 days of travel. This is not the same certificate as the UK Pet Travel Scheme one. This is the certificate required by the airline to fly any animal in the US anywhere. This certificate may say that the Federal Vet needs to endorse it as well and British Cargo incorrectly advised us it must be endorsed by the Federal Vet, but the USDA tells us it is not required..........I had the Federal Vet endrorse it anyway (on the day we flew out no less) because after all the wrong advice we got from our Vet and maybe inadvertantly BA Cargo, I no longer trusted anyone to know what they were talking about.
6. Between 24 and 48 hours of travel, have your Vet give the dog the tick and tapeworm treatment. Make sure to read the DEFRA requirements for the proper drug that must be used. Make sure your vet completes the Pet Travel certificate regarding the tick/tapeworm treatment.
7. BA requires that you arrive at cargo with your pet at least 4 hours before flying. .........when you count that extra time, the length of the flight and the time it takes to pet to clear customs, you are probably going to have a somewhat soiled and smelly dog on your hands when you collect her/him. BA was great at Gatwick for helping us to clean our dog Scout up and provided loads of blankets for her to rest on in the car. Our dog messed her crate 5 minutes before we picked her up. If British Customs had been a bit more speedy and hadn't taken 4 hours to clear her we would have been fine. DEFRA cleared her almost immediately, but Customs took their time.

Our dog is blind and diabetic. She was exhausted the day after the flight but has since perked back up a good bit. I would advise a visit to the Vet for any animal with a few days arriving back in the UK to give them a quick looksee.

We faxed our customs forms to the UK several days prior to our flight as BA told us to do, but don't count on that speeding Customs up any.


Good look to anyone shipping their dog over. I have to say, it was the most stressful part of our move.....at least to me.

Re: Moving back to UK with my Mutt!
 

Don't know whether you've seen this Scout...I put your post in the Wiki a while ago. :)

http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Shippi...Back_to_the_UK

Re: Moving back to UK with my Mutt!
 

I know it's the thing that's giving ME most kanniptions (no idea how that should be spelt :p)!

Don't know what I'd do if I got to the airport and they told me the paperwork wasn't in order . . . .

Plus I worry about the dogs being ok. One is 8 years old and has hip dysplasia (diagnosed when he was 5 months old!). The other is only 4 but she's got a thyroid problem! Both of them have to have meds, but fortunately it won't be dire if they miss or get one later than usual.

Re: Moving back to UK with my Mutt!
 

I've been through this grouling process, I'm almost at the last leg. My dog is scheduled for her Tick and Tapeworm next Monday, which is within my 24 - 48 hour time frame of leaving.

You will definitely find lots of information on this website, i've also listed the steps on here, about 6 months ago.

A piece of advice, I wouldn't depend on the vets to know what they are doing. My vet was completely useless. Also, I got my dog microchipped the same day it got vaccinated, which is fine, providing the microchip was inserted FIRST. I had to provide a letter, on vet letterhead stating the order things were done in.

Keep all documents you get from the vet, make a few photocopies (doesn't hurt).

Where abouts in the UK are you going Kevin? Thought about taking the QM2?? At first I was all about flying over, until i got a quote over $1600 for a 7 pound dog, compared to a $300 charge for the boat.

All the best over the next 7 months.

Re: Moving back to UK with my Mutt!
 

I second that comment. I got into a major shouting match with my Vet before we left because he screwed things up so badly. DO NOT trust the Vet to know what they are doing..........now the USDA knows what they are doing because they do it all the time........but your local vet is not going to have a clue.