General Information About Pet Ownership in the UK
Register your Pet Microchip
If you are new to the UK one of the first things it is important to know is that since 6 April 2016 it is a legal requirement that all dogs in England, Scotland and Wales be microchipped by the age of eight weeks. Owners who don’t get their dog microchipped and registered face a fine of up to £500.
Your dog must also still wear a collar and tag with your name and address when in a public place.
You must make sure that your dog is registered on one of the UK databases that meet government standards.
You are responsible for keeping your dog’s microchip information up to date (for example if you move house).
These details are kept alongside the microchip number on a database, so that your dog can be returned to you if it is lost or stolen.
It is very important to microchip both dogs and cats. Although microchipping a cat is not legally required it is very improtant as they could get lost, stolen or injured too.
Link to the relevant UK government page:
https://www.gov.uk/get-your-dog-microchipped
Pet Insurance
It is strongly recommended that you get your pet insured as private veterinary medical treatment can be expensive in the UK.
When it comes to considering insurance, many people hold the misconception that only older pets need it, as they’re more likely to get ill. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case: younger pets are often more adventurous and can be more accident prone.
In fact, the younger your pet is when you insure them, the better: insuring a pet without any existing conditions will mean any health issues they then face will be covered by your policy.
There are many insurance companies offering pet cover, so you will need to research well which one is more appropiriate for you and your pet and what sort of coverage is needed.
For clients and pets that are coming from other countries it is important to know that many insurance companies will request the past clinical history of your pet when you are signing up to an insurance policy or when starting a new insurance claim
Please read the rules and discuss all the queries before deciding on the correct insurance for you pet.
Register your pet with a veterinary practice
It is very important to register your pet with a vet in case of an illness and or emergency.
Its advisable to have your pet checked by a veterinary surgeon once or twice a year for a general health check and preventative care.
We are here to help if you need.
Preventative Care
If you are coming from other countries it is important to know that there might be different diseases and parasites in your country of origin and you might find other new ones in the UK.
You may also observe a different veterinary approach when getting your pet treated compared with what you might be used to.
You might find that the vaccination, wormer or flea treatment protocols in your country of are different. We can help you to discuss all your queries and find a better way to treat your pet while they are under our care, here in the UK.
In the UK we will be able to help with the preventative care that is morst appropriate for your pet when considering their needs in this country.
At IVET Services we will be able to consider your pet history, exam your pet (testing, dental examination, immunisations, parasite prevention, weight maintenance, neutering)
If you are planning to travel to a different country please let us know in advance so we can discuss the best preventative care for your pet.
Prescription medications
In UK the use of prescription medication are regulated by The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) which protects animal health, public health and the environment.
By law some veterinary medicines (POM-V) may only be supplied if they have been prescribed by a vetetinary surgeon following a clinical assessment of the animal(s), which must be under their care.
In UK differently from other countries the use of veterinary medication or human medication ( antibiotics, analgesics and controlled drugs) are taken very seriously.
In your country you may find that the acquisition of certain medications might be different than in the UK and your pet might be on certain type of treatment that might differ from the treatments that are available in the UK.
Here at IVET Services we will be able to help you and your pet to find the best solution and treatment for your pet.
Register here
