Dog and cat looking at camera and standing on forest ground. (silvana87 (123RF))
If you’ve brought your furry friend to England, you must register them at the RAF Feltwell Veterinary Treatment Clinic within two weeks of arrival.
While the installation vet can see pets for routine care, appointment availability if often low. It is highly recommended that you establish a local British veterinarian for your pet’s basic care in addition to emergency and specialty needs.
To bring your pet to the U.K., and avoid costly quarantining, there are a number of steps required. For details, visit gov.uk/bring-pet-to-great-britain.
1. Ensure your pet has a 15-digit ISO microchip.
2. Pets must have all current vaccinations at least 21 days prior to arrival.
3. Dogs must have a tapeworm treatment documented within five days, but not less than 24 hours of arrival.
4. Have a UK health certificate signed by a USDA or military veterinarian.
5. Book travel.
If you fly on the Patriot Express your pet’s paperwork will be checked by British customs agents when you arrive at RAF Feltwell. It can take up to eight hours after you land before your pet is released to you.
If you travel on a commercial airline you must fly into Heathrow, Gatwick or Manchester so your pet can pass through an approved UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) office and clear customs. If you come into Heathrow, the recommendation is to hire a pet transport company to assist in the process.
RAF Feltwell Veterinary Treatment Clinic
Bldg. 80 | 01638-52-7097 | usaf.lakenheath.48-mdg.mbx.vet-clinic@health.mill
Documents to provide for registration:
DD Form 2343
Veterinary Health Record
Copy of PCS orders
ID card
Copy of the pet’s vaccination/medical records
• Rabies
• Distemper
• Hepatitis
• Parvovirus
• Leptospirosis
• Cat Flu
• Enteritis
• Feline Leukemia
• Worming, flea and tick - Ensure pet is on these preventive medicines year-round
You must provide your pets with a suitable environment, diet and housing, plus offer the freedom to exhibit normal behaviors and protect them from pain, suffering, injury or disease.
Cats have a ‘right to roam’ in the U.K. and are not required to wear a collar.
Dogs must have a collar and ID tag on at all times when in public. The tag should include their name, your phone number and your address.
You must be able to control your dog and not let them be dangerously out of control or chase or attack livestock.
There are large fines for not picking up your dog’s poop in public places.
Many public places have local ordinance requiring dogs to be on leashes.
Tail docking, ear cropping and declawing are illegal in the England.
In order to travel to the EU with your pet, it must at least have a microchip, rabies vaccination, and UK animal health certificate. The U.K. no longer issues pet passports.
