Overseas property owners will soon find it easier to take their four legged friends abroad, thanks to a relaxation of animal passport rules.
From the 1st of January 2012 pets travelling within the EU, as well as so called non-risk countries such as the U.S and Australia, will no longer need a blood test before re-entering the UK.
The wait between a pet receiving a rabies jab and the time they are able to travel will also be lowered. Under the new rules it will only take 21 days for the pet to be allowed to travel.
Welcoming the changes to the system, the environment Secretary Caroline Spelman described the old model of quarantining pets, as 'outmoded', stating that “too many animals have been cooped up unnecessarily”
She added: “The UK's quarantine system was designed to combat the threat of rabies in the 19th century and has now been left far behind by scientific advances.”