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Bringing the family pet along with you on your move to the Costa del Sol is quite straightforward, but be prepared to start the process of inoculations and certification well in advance of your leaving date. The best option is to follow the “PETS” scheme which came into force in Great Britain on March 2000, this scheme allows you to import your pet to Spain but if needed the pet can return to the UK without going into 6 months quarantine.
The following checklist will help;
- A microchip needs to be fitted to your pet.
- Blood test result for Rabies.
- A health certificate (passport) issued after the completion of the above, this is issued by a veterinary surgeon. A list of authorised veterinary surgeons can be obtained from the appropriate ministry in you country.
The “PETS” certificate will be issued 6 months after the blood test results have been received. It is a good idea to keep up the Rabies booster vaccination and blood test carried out annually, this costs approximately 90€.
Animals less than 3 months old are not required to be vaccinated against Rabies.
Travel arrangements from the UK to Spain are generally limited to Gatwick and Heathrow airports for flying out pets, by sea from Dover, Plymouth and Portsmouth and by train via the Channel Tunnel. Further details can be obtained from the British Airways website, www.ba.com.
Once on the Costa del Sol it is advisable to have the microchip with your old address updated with your new address in Spain, this can be carried out by most vets in Spain.
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