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By Georgina Mills
Most rescue dogs from abroad are entering the UK through the EU Pet Travel Scheme (PETS), leading to concerns over the rigorousness of health checks before they travel.
Results from a study, published online by Vet Record this week, show that 89 per cent of dogs were imported under the EU PETS, rather than the Balai Directive.
Currently, dogs can be brought into the UK under both schemes; however, the PETS deals with the non-commercial movement of animals accompanied by their owners. It is only appropriate for imported rescue dogs if the new owner adopted an animal while holidaying or living abroad. As it only requires the dog to be microchipped, vaccinated for rabies and treated for the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis, it is the cheaper option.
The Balai Directive covers the commercial movement of imported dogs (and other animals), and includes situations where there is a change in ownership (such as rescue dogs)....