United Kingdom
*The information on this page was last updated on Jun 24, 2025.
In general, adopting a dog or cat from Türkiye to the UK involves specific and often complex requirements that may differ from those in other countries.
For this reason, it's especially important to stay up to date and seek guidance from individuals or groups with direct experience in UK pet import procedures.
We strongly recommend reviewing both volunteer experiences and official government regulations to ensure a safe and smooth adoption process.
Helpful Resources & Official Guidelines
Volunteer-based guidance:
Rehome a Rescue Dog – Bringing a dog or cat to the UK from Türkiye
UK government’s official entry rules: Bring your pet to Great Britain
1. Find a Dog for Adoption
Search through online listings, shelters, or rescue organizations (you can find a list of options here). Contact the individual or organization managing the adoption to confirm whether they facilitate international adoptions and learn about their specific process.
2. Choose the Right Dog
Even if you have prior experience, take the time to read, research, and educate yourself about dog ownership. Carefully assess your family situation, current household members, and plans. Look through the listings to identify dogs that might be a good match for you.
Consider the dog’s age, breed, size, and temperament to ensure compatibility with your lifestyle. Don’t hesitate to request additional photos, videos, or detailed information about the dog.
Please also take a look at the Choosing a Dog section on our website.
3. Start the Process
If you haven’t already contacted the individual or organization, this is the stage to discuss whether the dog is eligible for international adoption and how the process works. Be prepared to provide detailed information about yourself, your family, your home, your lifestyle, and any prior experience with pets. This will allow the organization or volunteer to assess whether you and the dog are a good match. Once you receive approval for adoption, you can begin collecting the required paperwork.
4. Arrange Accommodation for Your Dog
While waiting for the paperwork to be finalized, your dog will need a place to stay. The volunteer or organization may suggest options such as a paid boarding kennel or a foster home.
Ideally, a foster home provides the dog with a safe and nurturing environment while awaiting travel. Foster parents handle daily needs, including feeding, exercise, and veterinary care. This can be a volunteer, friend, or family member.
If a foster home isn’t available, the dog can stay at a reputable boarding kennel for a fee. While not as personal as a home environment, a professional kennel ensures proper care and a secure space.
5. Prepare Travel Documents
Official procedures can be carried out by the dog’s registered owner or another authorized person. Depending on the dog’s status, the following documents will need to be arranged:
Rabies titration test (if not already completed)
Pet passport, including updated vaccination records
Health certificates issued by a licensed veterinarian
Microchip implantation and registration
International travel permits from Turkish authorities
We recommend reviewing both volunteer experiences and official regulations to plan your adoption successfully.
UK government’s official entry rules: Bring your pet to Great Britain
Please note: The required documents and procedures occasionally change or are updated by government authorities. Therefore, it is essential to work with an experienced veterinarian and to verify the latest requirements through official sources. Be sure to check the website of the Provincial or District Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry (İl/İlçe Tarım ve Orman Müdürlükleri) and also confirm details by phone. Below are the websites of some directorates that provide a detailed list of required documents:
6. Arrange Travel
Unlike the EU or Canada, adopting a pet from Türkiye to the UK requires more detailed travel planning due to the UK's strict import rules.
Volunteers and adopters with experience recommend two main transport options:
Option 1 – Commercial Courier Service
The pet travels with a DEFRA-registered commercial transport company via road (door-to-door), typically taking around five daysOption 2 – Owner-led Travel via EU Country
The owner flies with the pet to an EU country (e.g., the Netherlands) since no direct flights from Türkiye to the UK allow pets, and then they continue by ferry (usually to Harwich).
Before travel, the pet, owner, and documentation must be presented to the local İlçe Tarım Müdürlüğü (District Directorate of Agriculture) for an official Veterinary Health Certificate.
Organize an IATA-approved travel crate (ask your veterinarian or the adoption contact for guidance on crate size and model to meet regulations). One widely accepted brand on the market is Scudo, which is commonly used for international pet transport.
7. Welcome Your Dog!
Once your dog arrives, give them time to adjust to their new home and routine. Seek veterinary follow-up if needed and enjoy building your life together! Click here for more information.
If you have more questions, we recommend checking our FAQ page. Beyond that, while timelines and costs can vary greatly, they can be summarized as follows:
COSTS OF ADOPTING A DOG FROM TÜRKİYE:
Adopting a dog from Türkiye involves some costs that vary depending on your country of residence, the dog's breed, age, health, and logistical factors. Typical expenses include:
Vaccinations, rabies test and general health care (e.g., spaying/neutering)
Microchip and passport
Accommodation fees, if the dog stays in a foster home or kennel while awaiting travel, may include costs related to housing, feeding, and basic care during that period
Airline cargo fees, which vary depending on the dog’s size and weight, as well as the destination country and airline policies
Export documentation issued by the District Directorate of Agriculture, required by the customs authorities
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?
Adopting a dog from Türkiye to the UK requires special planning due to the UK's strict pet import regulations.
Standard documentation (such as the rabies titration test, microchip, and health certificates) is required. However, UK regulations do not allow dogs to enter directly from Türkiye without quarantine.
To avoid quarantine, dogs must first travel to an approved EU country and then enter the UK from there, following the EU-to-UK pet travel rules. This adds extra time and coordination to the process and often makes UK adoptions longer than those to the EU or Canada.
It’s also important to note that placing dogs into quarantine is generally not considered an option by the volunteers and rescue teams involved. Therefore, anyone adopting to the UK should be prepared for a longer, multi-step travel process, and stay in close coordination with the adoption team to ensure a safe and smooth journey.
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