Quarantine and the rabies vaccine THE EDITOR, Sir: I READ in your paper at the beginning of the year that quarantine restrictions from Jamaica to the UK were now at an end. I was so delighted as, after having lived in Jamaica for 25 years but now being a widow, I have decided to return to the UK I have a little dog that is 10 years old and really want to take him back and I doubted he would survive six months quarantine. Unfortunately, it is not true that you can take your dog back without quarantine. I was told by the British High Commission that you could provided that you: 1. Have your dog microchipped, 2. Have your pet vaccinated against rabies 3. Arrange for a blood test by a recognised laboratory. I then talked to my vet who informed me that it was illegal to bring the rabies vaccine into Jamaica and I would have to talk to the Veterinary Division of the Ministry of Agriculture. First, I spoke to one vet there who had never heard of the restrictions having been lifted. I was told to make an appointment to see the head man there. I made an appointment to see him, but alas he was not there when I went for the appointment. I was sent over to see another vet who told me that it was only an experiment and was only meant for Europe, (nowhere on the web site does it say that it is an experiment and it does include Jamaica in their long-haul countries that can enter the UK without going into quarantine) but that I should write a letter to the head man and then make another appointment to see him. I wrote the letter, but when I phoned up to make an appointment, I was told that he would not see me and that there was no way you could bring in the vaccine and that was the end of the story. I am so disappointed and I feel that the British Government and Jamaican Government should discuss this matter and if the Jamaican authorities will not allow the rabies vaccine in, then Jamaica should be taken off the list and not mislead people who want to take their animals back to the UK I am etc., KATIE SAMPSON osbourne@cwjamaica 8 Gleaneagles Crescent Kingston 8
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