Step 1
As a first step your pet must be micro-chipped by your vet to provide identification.

Step 2
Your vet should then complete the passport application form and return the form to the issuing authority (details on application form). If you wish to have your pet's photograph on its passport (this is optional), you should bring a photograph with you to your vet to attach to the application form. The photograph should be no bigger than 6 cms wide and 4 cms long, should be clear and should feature only your pet.

Step 3
Your vet should then vaccinate your pet against rabies.

Step 4
Once sufficient time has elapsed following vaccination (usually about a month but your vet will advise) your vet should do a blood test to confirm a sufficiently high level of rabies anti-bodies. If your pet fails this blood test, your vet will have to re-vaccinate and test again. This blood test is a requirement for re-entry into the UK. If your pet will not be returning to the UK, the test may not need to be done.

Step 5
Your pet's passport, with certain details completed, will be sent out directly to your vet. When it is received your vet can then enter the details of the rabies vaccination and blood-test results.

Step 6
A minimum of six months after the date of the successful blood-test you are free to use your passport when bringing your pet back into the UK if you are travelling from an eligible country on an approved carrier. This six month period must be spent only in eligible countries. Before you travel be sure to read "How to travel into the UK with your pet" as you must have your pet treated for tick and tapeworm shortly before entering the UK.

You should always keep the rabies vaccination for your pet up to date. If you take care to have your pet re-vaccinated before the validity of the previous vaccination expires, you will never have to do the blood-test again.