If you are planning on travelling abroad with your animal, and you’ll be returning within 4 months, you will need to obtain an animal health certificate (AHC) specific to the European country you first enter from the UK.
To allow our OV (official veterinarian) to do this we need the following information:
• Country of entry
• Mode of transport
• How many pets you are travelling with
• Date of entry/return
• Who is travelling with your pet
• Purpose of travel
Our vets will need to see your pet(s) to scan their microchip(s) to confirm the following:
• Microchip number, position and details
• Date of birth of each animal
• Sex and neuter status of each animal
• Weight of each animal
• Colour and breed of each animal
• Vaccination record (Rabies)
Depending on your travel destination, your pet will require AT LEAST a rabies vaccination a minimum of 21 days prior to travelling. Some countries require a rabies titre blood test (please check this prior to travel as this will take considerably more time to perform and confirm). If your rabies vaccination was done at a previous vet practice, or your pet has had one in the past, we need to have their records to complete their travel certificates.
Whilst not compulsory for all countries, we recommend your pets are fully vaccinated and treated for parasites prior to travelling.
When you are returning to the UK, you will need to visit a vet to give a tapeworm treatment 24-120 hours before re-entering the UK. This CANNOT be given by us prior to travel or by yourselves.
Please be organised and give our OV enough time to fill out the paperwork. This needs to be signed by yourself/an appointed agent the week before you are travelling.
Please thoroughly research the country/countries you intend on travelling to prior to committing to travelling with your pet and whether its in you pet’s best interest to take them with you (the ‘gov.uk’ website will point you in the right direction). It is your responsibility to research all aspects of your travel relating to your pet(s) prior to travelling and the rules are constantly changing!