Among other things, the letter solicits opinions about whether the new system would offer adequate safeguards against the import of rabies into the United Kingdom and how pet owners would be affected. The advisory group report suggests that a sufficiently long period of up to three years should be allowed for the introduction of this new system. Opinions about the system are divided in the United Kingdom. Alex Ross of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals contends that the new system would be more effective and humane than the current quarantine system. Conversely, the British Veterinary Association maintains that pet passports would not provide a proper safeguard against rabies.
Rabies is rare in England.
The most recent reported case in a quarantined pet was in 1983. In the past 25 years, the only case in a human was a woman who was bitten by a bat in 1996. Safeguards must be kept in place to keep England rabies free, but the human-animal bond has become an undeniably strong force. Changes in century-old laws will not come swiftly enough for some, although it appears the British government is interested in finding a key to a kennel that s been locked for many years.