Overview
- DEFRA issued a formal reply to a fast‑growing public petition and said it will not change the in‑cabin pet rule.
- Current policy requires cats, dogs and ferrets entering Great Britain to travel as manifest cargo in the hold, with only Recognised Assistance Dogs allowed in the cabin.
- The department says pets must go to dedicated facilities away from passenger terminals so staff can check rabies vaccination and tapeworm treatment documents before entry.
- Officials highlight welfare rules for animals in the hold, including controlled air, temperature and pressure, plus IATA‑approved travel crates and food and water based on journey length.
- The petition started by Eirini Zartaloudi has topped roughly 14,000 to 16,000 signatures and still falls short of the 100,000 needed for consideration for a parliamentary debate.