The government has put in place a new emergency support system for people fleeing Ukraine with their pets, including funding for rabies quarantine.
Under the terms of an emergency licence scheme, refugees from Ukraine can now bring their pets to the UK with the costs of any necessary quarantine stays met by the government.
The Animal and Plant Health Agency will, the government says, now be able to give quicker license approvals and make quarantine arrangements to avoid creating additional delays. The government will be covering the costs of vaccination and microchipping as well as quarantine, if applicable.
Pets are being considered on “a case-by-case basis”, with a shortened quarantine period for those that are vaccinated, the government has pledged. The maximum stay in quarantine for a pet which has received no rabies vaccination is four months.
The government has said it will prioritise quarantine facilities to individuals fleeing Ukraine accompanied by their pets, with rescue animals and commercial imports required to follow the usual processes.
Animal Welfare Minister Lord Goldsmith said: “People having to flee Ukraine are in an appalling situation. I’m pleased that Ukrainian refugees will be able to bring their pets to the UK with any quarantine costs paid for by the Government.
“As part of our new streamlined process, any animals which have already received some treatment may also have their stay in quarantine reduced and be returned back to their owner as soon as possible.”
