kitten from turkey to uk

Question
my daughter has been staying in turkey for the past 3 months and fell in love with a kitten,its approx 8 weeks old now and wants to bring it home back to the uk,what do i need to do?many thanks

Answer
Hi, Julie,
Bringing any animal into the UK is difficult because of the strict quarantine regulations.

Pet Passports, given by a licensed veterinarian in the country being left make it easier to enter the UK, and possibly avoid quarantine.  Pet passports include information regarding rabies vaccinations, and other vaccinations, as well as proof of being microchipped.  Also, any pet traveling under this passport may only do so using specified sea, rail or air routes - check with your preferred point of entry in UK to find out the specific details, there.

Unfortunately, Turkey has not signed on to the Pet Passport agreement, and your daughter may have trouble finding a veterinarian there who knows about that process.

Also, even with a Pet Passport a license to import your pet is necessary.  Usually, a quarantine agency is willing to supply you with the appropriate application for license, and even submit the application, if you agree to utilize their quarantine service.  The quarantine service may even actually collect your pet at an approved port or airport.  If the quarantine agency does not collect your pet you will have to hire an authorized Carrying Agent.

Length of time in quarantine depends on age, medical condition, actual vaccinations, and costs 200Pounds/month for cats.

Here is the UK website re: quarantine regulations:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets/pets/travel/quarantine/index.htm

Good luck, and thank you for your question.
Juli