Dogs and quarantine

[Chilenachica]

Would you put your dogs in quarantine? Is it cruel? Do they adapt or do they suffer?

We are probably going to relocate, I know the regulations etc., what I don't know is whether I should put my dogs(German Shepherds) into the quarantine system for six months, or leave them here with a new home.

Friends have told us that their dog's personalities changed, they suffered etc. and they would never but an animal through the trauma again.

We used the local pet's kennel service when we last went on holiday and when we collected our dogs they were like skeletons. This is a place I know and trust, we bought one of the dogs from them. They regained weight within a week of being home with us.

Oh, and if we leave them how the hell do I explain to the DCs that the dog we rescued as an orphaned and sick stray puppy, who has survived being poisoned, isn't coming with us?

Where are you relocating to and how long for?

My family and I moved to another EU country when I was about 10 for 2 years in the days before the EU and pet passports. Because of quarantine we left our dog (a rescue collie x) with my grandparents for those 2 years and took him back when we returned.

If you are considering a permanent move, depending on location - I'd take the dogs. It really depends. I recently turned down a relocation to singapore due to not being prepared to relocate the dog (now dogs), as it didn't seem too dog-friendly, but would happily relocate to new zealand as a permanent move and take the doggies.

It could be Europe, then UK a few years later, or straight to UK permantly. Moving from South America. I just don't know what would be best for the dogs.

Dp is from south America. when his family moved to Europe, they brought the dog with them. i don't remember him mentioing quarantine, i'll ask him.

The need to go into quarantine is highly unlikely due the change in the pet importation regulations on first of January. There is very good info on the DEFRA website. You may actually find it more difficult to export your dogs to other countries as they have their own requirements. Once you know where you going go and have a chat to the OV bet in your practice they will be able to advise you for the country you are moving to.

I wouldn't ever put my pets into quarantine.

However, if you move to the UK you shouldn't have to (assuming your name tells us where you are!)

There's a list of stuff and a very strict timescale:

"What you need to do if you are entering the UK from the EU and listed non-EU countries
Preparing your dog, cat or ferret

Step 1 ? Have your pet microchipped ? Before any of the other procedures for pet travel are carried out, your pet must be fitted with a microchip so it can be properly identified.
Step 2 ? Have your pet vaccinated ? After the microchip has been fitted your pet must be vaccinated against rabies. There is no exemption to this requirement, even if your pet has a current rabies vaccination. Rabies boosters must be kept up to date. The length of the waiting period before entry to the UK is 21 days after the first vaccination date. A waiting period is not required for subsequent entries into the UK, provided rabies boosters are kept up to date. If the vaccination is in two parts the 21 day wait will be from the date of the second vaccination.
Step 3 ? Get pet travel documentation ? For animals being prepared in an EU country, you should get an EU pet passport. If you are preparing your animal in a non-EU listed country or territory you will need to obtain an official third country veterinary certificate (apart from Croatia, Gibraltar, Norway, San Marino and Switzerland who also issue pet passports).
Step 4 ? Tapeworm treatment ? (dogs only): before entering the UK, all pet dogs (including assistance dogs) must be treated for tapeworm. The treatment must be administered by a vet not less than 24 hours and not more than 120 hours (1-5 days) before its scheduled arrival time in the UK. There is no mandatory requirement for tick treatment. No treatment is required for dogs entering the UK from Finland, Ireland or Malta).
Step 5 ? Arrange for your animal to travel with an approved transport company on an authorised route ? Your pet must enter the UK from a listed country or territory travelling with an approved transport company on an authorised route."

[[http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets/pets/travel/pets/pet-owners/#a More info here ]] but there are different rules if you go to another EU country.

Good luck!

Thanks for your responses, unless the UK has almost abolished all restrictions then we would have to use quarantine for six months even with the microchip and vaccinations. I know they changed recently but when I checked Chile was still on the "other" list.

I'll go through the DEFRA web site again to double check.

Peri why wouldn't you put a pet in quarantine? Because I've never moved a pet between countries I don't know how it affects the animals.

Chilenachica, Chile is 'listed non-EU country'. Therefore the same rules apply as for EU countries (except you have to get an 'official third country veterinary certificate' instead of an EU passport. Your dog does not have to go into quarantine anymore, providing you follow all these steps properly.

Thank you Kladdkaka

Last time I checked, after the Jan 1st changes, Chile was on the non-listed list. Something must have changed between then and now at this end. So, problem solved, phew! The only sticking point I'll have now is getting the third party certificate, they just don't get what all the fuss is about here. Last time I tried to explain it to my vet he told me don't worry, I send dogs abroad all the time, you need to do anything special. Doh!

Might have to try a different vet and claim to have not previously vaccinated the dogs.

Thanks again for all your responses

My parents brought their dog from Argentina, and whilst I appreciate that it's not Chille, they found the easiest way to deal with the passport was to go to a new vet, start from scratch and DICTATE say "THIS IS WHAT YOU NEED TO DO".

Good luck!

Thanks QuietTiger

I'll have to do the same, my vet has even told me -no, you don't need to repeat the rabies vaccine, I did it less than a year ago.- I'm sure he's thinking stooopid gringa

If the dog had a microchip implanted prior to the most recent rabies vaccination then you do not need to give another, your vet is correct. Vets are quite regularly sued for screwing up this sort of thing so these days are pretty careful about giving the correct advice! The DEFRA website gives very clear instructions.

Today Chile is listed as a non-EU country which means as long as a the pet has a microchip implanted before the rabies vaccination was administered being at least three weeks prior to travel to the UK and less than the duration for which the vaccine is allowed in the country you are departing you only need your official veterinary surgeon signed third part certificate. Then travel by an approved carrier BA being the easiest.

Thanks again, they are not chipped yet, vet knows this he just can't seem to get his head around the difference in regulations. Thinks because all he had to to send a dog to Brazil was write an address label for the crate I'm making it up.

He's good with the animals and the local laws, just a bit backwards insular in his thinking. Anyway, I'm much more relaxed now that I know I can bring my babies dogs