The department has now urged Islanders to observe pet travel rules after four dogs and one cat were barred from re-entry to the Island for not receiving a ‘valid vaccination’ against the deadly disease, which can spread to humans via the saliva of an infected animal.
Last year a total of 93 pets failed checks for travel to the Island and some did not have a valid pet passport when leaving. The most common cause for failing checks was dogs not having a valid tapeworm treatment, which must be carried out at least 24 hours and not more than five days prior to arrival in Jersey.
The second most common reason was the failure of a rabies vaccination to be administered or this not being correctly recorded in the pet’s passport by a vet.
A statement from the Environment Department says: ‘Pet owners must ensure their pet has a valid rabies vaccination to travel both ways between Jersey and mainland Europe.
‘If not previously vaccinated or if the vaccination has lapsed, the animal must be vaccinated at least 21 days before travel. After that, regular booster vaccinations are needed.’
States veterinary assistant Ashley Pinel said that Jersey had rules in common with the UK and Europe to protect the Island from ‘serious, life-threatening diseases’ such as rabies.
‘Pet owners need to plan ahead, and must check if their pet’s rabies vaccination is up-to-date at least three weeks before travel and visit their vet if it has expired or is close to expiry,’ he said.
‘Never take a pet out of the Island without checking what is needed.’
He added the consequences were financially and emotionally costly for owners.
‘Quarantine facilities in Jersey are expensive. A dog is separated from its owners and held in a kennel, with no outdoor walks for as long as three weeks. It can be upsetting for the pet and its owner,’ he said.
The cost for 21 days quarantine in the Island is just under £900, including boarding, transport, licence fees and rabies vaccination.
