Take off for EU pet passports

The concept of a pet passport for travelling domestic animals came a step closer yesterday, just months before it is introduced in Europe. As from 3 July, owners of pets (specifically cats, dogs and ferrets) will need a suitable passport if they take them abroad, proving that the animals have vaccinated properly, following a decision officially adopted yesterday by the European commission. According to The Independent, the new passport will have a blue cover, with the yellow stars of the European Union flag. There will be an option of including a picture of the pet. The pet’s country of origin will also be noted, and there will be a number that will correspond to a microchip or tattoo on the animal. The newspaper quotes the EU health and consumer protection commissioner David Byrne as saying: “This is a significant step for the free movement of people and their pets.” The Guardian reports that domestic ferrets, of which there are some two million in the UK, became eligible for EU travel after lobbying by their owners.