Pets now able to fly to and from Edinburgh Airport

Cats, dogs and ferrets can now fly from and touch down in Edinburgh, rather than via England, thanks to a new border inspection at the airport.

The newly launched "PETS" Animal Reception Centre, operated by freight forwarding company Extrordinair, is Scotland's first.

Scottish animals under the EU Pet Travel Scheme are no longer required to travel to and from London and Manchester's animal centres - the only two in the UK until now.

It is hoped that the new animal centre will avoid causing stress to both pets and their owners from prolonged travel/separation periods in a strange environment.

Managing director of Extrodinair, Sylvia Fleming, said: "Our new facility at Edinburgh Airport means that animals flying into Scotland can be reunited with their owners within hours of touchdown, provided that they have a valid Pet Passport or EU third country Health Certificate and comply with DEFRA regulations.

"The service makes things much easier for owners and for pets."