Bringing your pet dog, cat or ferret to Great Britain
Travel routes for pets
You can only use certain travel routes and companies to enter Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland).
Check the ‘approved routes’ before you travel - they can change or may only operate at certain times of the year.
There are more approved routes for people travelling with guide or assistance dogs.
Check your travel company’s rules
Before you book your travel, check if the company you’re travelling with:
- will accept your pet for travel - and how many they’ll accept if you have more than one
- needs any proof that your pet is fit and healthy to travel, for example a letter from a vet or certain information in your pet passport or health certificate
When pets have to travel as cargo
How your pet can travel depends on how you are travelling.
If you’re travelling by plane
Pets have to travel as cargo on a plane unless:
- you’re flying on a chartered private plane
- you’re travelling with a guide or assistance dog
If you’re travelling by sea or Eurotunnel
Check if the company you’re travelling with allows you to bring pets before you travel.
You can only bring a pet into Great Britain by private boat if you’re travelling from Ireland or Northern Ireland.
Travelling to and from Northern Ireland and Ireland
Contact the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) if you’re travelling to Northern Ireland.
You do not have to use an approved route or company if you’re travelling from Ireland to Great Britain.