The Environment Department says the increased traffic, coupled with Islanders and visitors failing to ensure their pets comply with the EU Pet Travel Scheme, means staff are currently dealing with an average of two cases a week.
Of the 747 pets – 709 dogs and 38 cats – that travelled to the Island up to 30 April, 31 were either put into quarantine or had to remain in Europe with their owners until the issues preventing travel were resolved. Only one dog was categorised as being a banned breed and the majority were subsequently allowed entry to the Island.
States vet Dr Theo Knight-Jones said the main barrier to travel was that owners had not ensured their pets received the mandatory tapeworm prevention treatment before returning to the Island. The other refusals were caused by incomplete documentation, mostly relating to rabies vaccinations.
Dr Knight-Jones said: ‘The rules are there for a good reason – to protect you, your animal and the wider community from sickness, and serious, sometimes fatal diseases like rabies.’
The previous highest number of dogs or cats coming to Jersey from outside the UK for the same period was in 2015 when a total of 690 pets arrived from Europe.
Dr Knight-Jones is now calling on Islanders planning to take their pets to Europe this summer to check that their pet passports are current and contain all the relevant information.
Anyone in doubt should contact their vet or the Environment Department for advice. Details of the Pet Travel Scheme can also be found online at gov.je/PetTravel.
