PCS to UK
Pets in The UK
Stars and Stripes
May 22, 2026
In England, cats have the right to roam. (I-Wei Huang - stock.adobe.com)
Our 2026-2027 “Welcome to The U.K.” magazine is a guide for newcomers and is a vital resource for understanding your new home in England.
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 is 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.
When PCSing overseas or outside the continental United States, service members may be authorized a reimbursement for the transportation costs of one pet (cat or dog). The reimbursement cap is $2,000 and it cannot be shared to cover multiple pets.
PET ARRIVAL
To bring your pet to the U.K., and avoid costly quarantining, there are a number of steps required. For details, visit www.gov.uk/bring-pet-to-great-britain.
Ensure your pet has a 15-digit ISO microchip.
Pets must have all current vaccinations at least 21 days prior to arrival.
Dogs must have a tapeworm treatment documented within five days, but not less than 24 hours of arrival.
Have a U.K. health certificate signed by a USDA or military veterinarian prior to departure.
If you travel on a commercial airline you must fly into Heathrow, Gatwick or Manchester so your pet can pass through an approved U.K. 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.mil
Documents needed to register your pet:
DD Form 2343
Veterinary Health Record
Copy of PCS orders
ID card
Copy of the pet’s vaccination and 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 England.
In order to travel to the EU with your pet, they must at least have a microchip, rabies vaccination, and U.K. animal health certificate. The U.K. no longer issues pet passports.