Changes to rules for pets entering UK, military housing Published Oct. 7, 2011 By Karen Abeyasekere 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs RAF MILDENHALL, England -- Beginning Jan. 1, 2012, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is updating the rules, making it a much shorter, easier and less stressful process for pets and owners alike. In addition to pets being microchipped and having various shots, owners currently have to wait six months before shipping them to the United Kingdom, or have their animals go into quarantine for six months upon arrival. "While microchipping and rabies vaccinations will still be required, in addition to a pet passport or official health certificate signed by a veterinarian, the waiting period when bringing pets from the States will be cut to 21 days after the rabies vaccination - none of which is in quarantine, but will allow the pets to stay at home with their owners," said Mel Hardinge, 100th Force Support Squadron base individualized newcomer treatment and orientation program manager. Hardinge added there is a good possibility that pets already in quarantine on Jan. 1, 2012, having entered between July and Dec. 2011, will be released early, providing the owners have completed the necessary steps required by DEFRA. The new rules will apply for pets (dogs, cats and ferrets) coming to the U.K. from European Union and approved non-EU countries and territories, including the mainland U.S. This new move brings the U.K. in line with the rest of the EU's pet travel scheme, while still keeping it protected from rabies. "However, there are exceptions to the new rules. Pets coming in from unlisted, non-EU countries, such as India, Brazil and South Africa, will have additional steps to take. They will need a blood sample taken at least 30 days after they receive their rabies vaccinations, then owners have to wait another three months before the pets can enter the U.K.," said Hardinge. In both situations, pets have to travel on an approved route. The requirements for ticks and tapeworm treatments will also change with the new rules, so it's important pet owners understand the process completely or they may run into problems. According to the DEFRA website, procedures must be carried out in the correct order, and the pets' documentation must be correctly completed. If this isn't done, pets may not be able to enter the country, or will have to go into quarantine on arrival, resulting in delays and extra costs. Certain breeds of dogs are banned from the U.K. and this will not change. These breeds are Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and Fila Braziliero. Also, according to the Directgov website, a dog type is not a breed, so whether a dog is a banned type depends on its characteristics, rather than its breed or name. If a dog matches many of the characteristics of a Pit Bull Terrier, it may be a banned type, because the website says dogs with these characteristics are more likely to cause severe harm if they attack, than other dogs. Military members and Department of Defense civilians should also be aware that there are now certain breeds of dogs which are not allowed in military, government-managed or privatized family housing. This applies throughout the U.S. Air Force. According to a U.S. Air Force guidance memorandum from Headquarters U.S. Air Force, dated March 28, 2011, residents of base housing are not allowed to board dogs of any breed (including mixed) that are considered "aggressive or potentially aggressive," unless the dog is a certified military working dog and is being boarded by its handler/trainer, or people have written approval from the installation commander. Dogs banned in military housing are Pit Bulls Terriers, American Staffordshire Bull Terriers, English Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, Chows and wolf hybrids. Even if people's pets are not listed as one of the banned breeds, they may not be allowed military, government-managed or privatized family housing if they display aggressive behavior such as unprovoked barking, biting or chasing people. The memorandum also stated that exotic animals, including reptiles, rodents (other than hamsters and guinea pigs), ferrets, skunks and rats are banned from military, government-managed or privatized family housing. "We wish to share the U.K. Pet Travel Scheme changes with the base population early, to enable sponsors and supervisors an opportunity to get the word out to inbound personnel who may be considering shipping their pets as part of an upcoming [move] to RAF Mildenhall," Hardinge said. "The new rules could make a difference to some people's decision on bringing pets into the U.K., and may help them decide when to start the process." For more information and a full listing of approved non-EU countries, please visit the DEFRA website at www.defra.gov.uk/pets.