LONDON, January 31, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --
Easier and cheaper rules on pet passports have been welcomed by owners keen to travel with their cats and dogs.
Currently pets need an anti-rabies jab six months before they travel, plus a blood test to check the vaccination has worked.
From 1 January 2012 new regulations mean pets can be taken to the vet for their injection up until three weeks before a trip to the EU, America or Australia. Blood tests have been dropped and the Government estimates the change could save owners £7 million a year in vets' fees.
Animal lovers who fall foul of red tape and cannot produce the right paperwork will no longer have to see their cherished companion consigned to quarantine for six months.
The new pet passport rules are expected to encourage more families to travel with their pets and should make more spontaneous holidays possible. Cats and dogs can be covered with travel insurance for pets.
While owners welcomed the change, posting their approval in internet forums for cat and dog enthusiasts, some wished the new regime could have been in place in time for them to holiday with their pets this summer.
Meanwhile a tongue-in-cheek article in The Independent suggested Labradors might enjoy visiting Labrador in Canada, ferrets the French resort of Cap Ferret, cats could feel at home in Siam (or Thailand, as we now know it), while there were 101 reasons for spotted dogs to love the Croatian region of Dalmatia.
Announcing the changes, Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman said:
'It's time we changed these outdated rules which have caused hardship to generations of pets and pet owners, and those who rely on assistance dogs, with too many animals cooped up unnecessarily.' She mentioned Britain's 19th century quarantine system was far behind modern science.
Direct Travel Insurance offers annual travel insurance, single trip insurance, and backpacker insurance.
Please be aware Direct Travel Insurance does not provide cover for travelling pets. This page is for information only and this information may assist any of our customers who might be considering travelling with their pet. The information provided is correct as of 10 January 2012.
Notes for Editors
Established in late 1992 and trading since 1993, Direct Travel Insurance specialises in travel insurance for individual travellers, couples and families up to the age of 75. Direct Travel Insurance offers a range of cover options and added benefits including cover for over 100 sports and activities enabling customers to tailor their policies for single trip, annual multi trip, backpacking and winter sports.
All travel insurance policies are underwritten by Chartis Europe Limited. Direct Travel Insurance is a trading name of UNAT Direct Insurance Management Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA Number 312350). Chartis Europe Limited is also authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA Number 202628).
[source of £7 million saving stat: http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2011/06/30/new-rules-pet-passports/ ]
Contact:
Katie Elfer
Email: [email protected]
Phone number: +44(0)20-8774-5644
Address: Chartis Direct
96 George Street
Croydon
Surrey
CR9 1BU
SOURCE Direct Travel Insurance
Share this article