The Editor: Sir,
SINCE 2000/2001, Jamaica has been added to a list of countries that can take advantage of the UK Pet and Companion Animals Travel Scheme. This scheme allows animals to be vaccinated and micro-chipped in their country of origin which, in turn, means that they do not have to be quarantined for lengthy, and expensive, periods of time, but can be released to their owners, in the UK, within 48 hours.
This reduces stress on both pet and owner. Other countries in the Caribbean, including Cayman and Barbados, have already got on board and have noticed a reduction in the number of animals being abandoned. Jamaica still has not got its act together.
One of the objections raised has been that there is a risk of rabies infecting the stray/street dog population but, as the vaccine used is not a live vaccine, this is no longer a valid reason for not joining the scheme.
Please help me to make the Jamaican public aware of this scheme and, perhaps, put some pressure on the authorities to allow the rabies vaccine and the necessary micro-chipping technology to be brought into Jamaica, so that pets can be brought, more easily to Jamaica, and can travel, with their families returning to the UK.
I am, etc.,
J. MARCHALLECK
33A Norbrook Drive
Kingston 8
