ONE way to brighten up February is to plan a holiday, but for some, the task is more difficult as they face the dilemma of what to do with their pet.
With Easter fast approaching and summer on the horizon, now is the time to make plans, and leaving your fluffy companion behind is not the only option.
The Pet Passport Scheme (PETS) means that dogs and cats resident in the UK can enter or re-ent
er the country without quarantine.
Penny Johnston, legislation and parliamentary support officer at the Scottish SPCA, says: "We support the idea of pet passports because quarantine is such a long, drawn out process and not always good for the animal. They can spend a long time, often months, in isolation and it's important to have something in place that is an effective alternative. "
The scheme was piloted in 2000 and, among the first to cross the border into the UK with her pet was campaigner Lady Fretwell with her daughter's Labrador, Dennis.
She formed the pressure group Passports for Pets in 1995, after one of her dogs died soon after leaving a six-month quarantine.
She and many others campaigned to overturn out-of-date and cruel quarantine regulations, in favour of a more modern 'passport' system, where pets could be certified as rabies-free.
Passports for Pets argued that, of all the pets who died during their six-month quarantine, not a single one had died from rabies. In addition, welfare standards at quarantine kennels were unregulated
Since its introduction, the passports for pets scheme has been widely supported. But, if your pet is not the travelling type, now is the time to think ahead and make arrangements closer to home.
"Kennels and catteries get booked up very quickly so make sure you make arrangements in good time," advises Doreen Graham of the Scottish SPCA. "They will ask for proof that your pet has received the appropriate vaccinations and if you don't have the appropriate paperwork they will turn you away, so it is important to be organised."
If you want to use a kennel, you are advised to check it out in person, unless it has been highly recommended by friends or family, and you should find out if it is licensed by the local authority – that licence should be on display.
The kennels should be clean, tidy and dry, with adequate water supplied and no old food and no overly wet and dirty floors. They should also be escape-proof and have good ventilation.
Insurance is important too, so find out what cover the kennel has, which insurer they use and if you are covered if your pet gets ill.
Many of the same criteria apply to catteries too, but bear in mind that cats tend to prefer their own surroundings, so a friend or neighbour might be able to help out. They'd need to visit at least twice a day to provide food and water so it can be an onerous task.
Of course, not all pets need to be put into kennels or catteries but owners of smaller animals need to plan in advance too.
"Smaller animals, such as guinea pigs or hamsters, can be a bit harder to make arrangements for and people very often leave them in the care of a friend," says Doreen.
"The first thing to make sure is that they definitely want to and are able to do it. Leave out the appropriate food and write down the feeding regime, and make sure they know about cleaning the cage or tank out because if dirt builds up it can create health problems."
THIS IDEA HAS COME A LONG WAYTHE Pet Passport Scheme (PETS) was introduced for dogs and cats travelling from certain European countries on February 28, 2000.
The scheme has been extended over the years and now applies to countries including Cyprus, Malta, and Canada.
The procedure involves a blood test to check for existing problems, and includes having your pet microchipped and vaccinated against rabies. Owners must also get the appropriate PETS documentation.
