Brexit is back in the news, as the current transition period enters into its final few months.

Pet owners are being urged to speak to their vets now if they intend to travel to the EU in the first few months of 2021 because they may need to arrange for their dogs, cats or ferrets to have blood tests and vaccinations if pet passports are scrapped.

The British Veterinary Association is warning that it could take four months for pets to be certified to travel under new Brexit rules, or in the event of a ’no deal’ situation.

British pet owners could be classed as citizens of an ’unlisted country’ when traveling to the EU.

A ’no deal’ scenario would mean that the pet passport system would be voided, and that British dogs, cats and ferrets would not be able to move freely around Europe even if they have been chipped and tested under current passport arrangements.

In the case of a ’no deal’ Brexit dogs, cats and ferrets will need to have a rabies vaccination before travelling to the EU. Pets will then have to wait thirty days before taking a blood test, and then another three months before they can travel freely. This means that if owners want to travel with their pets in January they will have to start the process next month.

It is possible that Britain could be given ’part one unlisted country’ status as a result of Brexit negotiations.

This would mean that owners wouldn’t need to take their pets to the vets every time they travel, but they would still need to get them vaccinated, wait 21 days before travelling and re-apply for a new pet passport which will last for their pet’s lifetime.

Our Covid-free status on the Isle of Man means that our veterinary practices are all fully up-and -running again, although they are still coping with a back-log of routine operations and check-ups.

It’s more of a challenge to make an appointment with a vet in England, Wales and Scotland where social distancing and COVID-related restrictions are still in place.

The UK government operates a pet travel helpline Monday to Friday which is able to give detailed advice to owners - the helpline number is 0370 241 1710.

Staying at home until Brexit and Covid uncertainties are ironed out is an attractive alternative, especially given island life is getting back to normal.

We are now planning to hold events again, the first of which is a table-top sale on Sunday, July 26.

The sale will take place indoors in our barn here at Ard Jerkyll in Foxdale, and it will run from 11am to 2pm.

Pitches are still available, priced at just £10.00, and so if you’ve had a clear out and wish to sell clothes and bric-a-brac, then e-mail our event co-ordinator on [email protected].

Our tearooms will be open from 10am and you can view our cats and small animals from 1pm.

We’re rehoming our cats very quickly at the moment, although the more nervous and shy ones take longer. Lots of people want kittens at this time of year, too, and so some of our adult cats will be overlooked.

Two-year-old Kipper, for example, is super shy and he’ll need a new owner with lots of patience - someone who will take things at Kipper’s pace and continuously reassure him that everything’s OK.

He will also need a quiet, relaxing home environment where, in time, he will gain confidence and come out of his shell.

When you visit the cattery he won’t be rubbing up against the door of his pen, urging you to make a fuss of him.

He’ll be hiding in his bed, nervously wondering how scared he should be about the people passing by. Someone will fall in love with him, though, and understand how rewarding and fulfilling it is to nurture a cat like Kipper.