Moving pets between countries in the European Union is to be made easier but there will be stricter health controls. It is estimated that there are 64 million cats and 66 million dogs in the EU with one in four households having a pet and since pet passports were introduced a decade ago more than ever have taken their pets abroad.

The EU parliament has approved new legislation for the ‘non-commercial transport’ of pets which it says will make the administrative process easier. Online information for pet owners will also be made clearer. Before taking their pets across borders, owners should check that their anti rabies vaccinations are still valid. Under the new rules young animals between 12 and 16 weeks that have been vaccinated against rabies but have yet to achieve immunity should still be allowed to travel.

The legislation will be applicable 18 months after it is published in the EU Official Journal and under the new rules people may not cross borders with more than five pets at once and officials said that this restriction is needed to prevent or discourage any abuse of the rules for commercial purposes. However, the new law says owners may be exempted from it if they can prove that they are taking part in a competition, exhibition, sporting or other recreational event, such as a team of sledge dogs.

Quote from ExpatForum.com : “Im just wondering if anyone has taken their larger dogs on a plane from mexico to canada or the states? Ive been an expat for 2 years and i plan on maybe heading back to Canada for a while, however since ive lived down here i have adopted a pitbull. He is all up to date with shots, is perfectly healthy, he has all of his paperwork. Ive never done this before, nor know anyone who has, so hoping someone can give me some advise.”

The new legislation lays down clearer rules on pet passports and anti-rabies vaccination. Identification documents must be issued by an authorised veterinarian and should specify the transponder code, anti rabies vaccination details and other information on the animal’s health. Since July 2011, electronic tagging has been the only officially approved means of identifying pet dogs, cats and ferrets, which can carry the rabies virus. However, a clearly readable tattoo applied before that date is still considered valid.

‘In future, travelling across borders with pets will involve far less administrative hassle. We have eased the rules, and this should have a direct impact on citizens,’ said Horst Schnellhardt, the MRP who introduced the new bill. British MEP Chris Davies who voted for the bill said the changes will simplify the life of people with pets and it is due to the success of the pet passport scheme which has seen the number of cases of rabies in the EU fall to one or two a year.

Officials sad that rabies is now officially considered as extinct in many parts of the EU although vigilance should not be slackened.