A European passport for animals. Since 2004 your pets can no join you on holiday in the EU.

A-Z: P for Pet Passport

P for Pet Passport. There's no longer   any excuse to leave your pet behind.

Your best friend can come on holiday   with you almost all over the EU.

Since 2004, there's been   a pet passport for animals. No kidding.

This is not any old passport,   it's Fido's European passport.

It's for dogs, cats   and other small animals.

Since 2004, our pets have been able   to go abroad within the EU,

with their owners,   as long as they have their passports.

This document is the same   in all Member States.

A description of the animal   allows it to be identified.

Its name, species, breed, sex,   date of birth and coat type and colour.

Its owner's name and address   are also included.

There's no need for a photo   as the passport contains a numeric code.

It links the paper passport   to an electronic chip.

It's a small piece of electronic equipment,

which is always placed on the animal's   right side, between its neck and shoulder.

This way, customs officers   can quickly identify it.

The code is recognised   in all EU countries.

Currently, our furry friends   have to be clearly identified

by one of two methods until 2011,   either a tattoo or electronic chip.

After 2011, only the electronic chip   will be accepted.

To have Princess identified with a chip,   all she needs is a visit to the vet.

It is with this syringe that the chip will   be inserted, without her really noticing.

Once the vet has inserted   the identity chip

and administered the rabies vaccine,   the owner is given its pet's passport.

The passport doubles up   as a health card.

There we are, all ready   for a new holiday experience,

as long you don't forget   the European passport.

Yuki will be able to go away with Marie   to almost any country in the EU.

The passport and rabies   vaccination are necessary

There are exceptions to this rule. The UK   and Malta have additional regulations.

Before taking Yuki to London or Valletta,   it's best to go see your vet.

So, our dogs, cats and other small   animals are ready to travel with us.

There's no excuse to leave the likes   of Yuki, Faro and Princess behind.