NORTH EAST
What is an Animal Health Certificate
An animal health certificate (AHC) is the new document introduced since BREXIT which replaces the previous PET passports.
An AHC has to be issued by an official veterinarian (OV) within 10 days of your travel date.
The AHC allows pet dogs, cats and ferrets to travel from the UK into the EU.
It is a single use document allowing travel across the EU (along with Switzerland and Norway) for up to 4 months and return to the UK.
The AHC can certify travel for a maximum of 5 pets and is only for non-commercial travel.
Once you return to the UK the AHC cannot be reused and a new AHC must be issued for the next trip to the EU.
If you plan to travel outside of the EU, with more than 5 pets or if the pet is moving for a commercial purpose (eg for sale or transfer of ownership) then a different form is required called an export health certificate (EHC) We cannot presently issue these certificates and would advise checking the UK government website for information about these forms: https://www.gov.uk/taking-your-pet-abroad/travelling-to-a-noneu-country
What are the requirements to issue an Animal Health Certificate?
The government website is the best and most up to date source of information regarding the requirements for pet travel to the EU (and beyond) and back to the UK
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In summary:
1. Microchip
Your pet must have a microchip to allow permanent identification of each pet. This microchip should have the correct owner details registered to it.
2. Rabies vaccination
The pet needs to be vaccinated against rabies ATLEAST 21 days prior to issuing the AHC. The day of vaccination is classed as day 0.
The vet needs to check your pets microchip PRIOR to administering the rabies vaccination and record this in their clinical notes or on an appropriate vaccination card. See further details below.
3. Issue AHC
Meet with the Official veterinarian within 10 days of departure to issue the AHC. The owner must be present for this meeting along with the pet(s) because there is a declaration for the owner to sign and the OV must check the pets microchip number prior to issuing the certificate.
The AHC is issued in dual languages – English and the language of the country in which you FIRST arrive into the EU.
For example, if you are taking the ferry to France but travelling on to Spain then the AHC is issued in English and French.
4. Travel
You must enter the EU through specified Travellers point of entry https://food.ec.europa.eu/animals/movement-pets/travellers-points-entry_en
You can then travel across the EU for up to 4 months prior to returning to the UK.
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PLEASE NOTE: If you are taking your dog to Finland, Ireland, Malta, Norway or Northern Ireland, your pet will need to have a specific tapeworm treatment administered no less than 24 hours and no more than 120 hours before your arrival. This must be recorded in the AHC too.
5. Tapeworm treatment on return to UK
Pet dogs require tapeworm treatment prior to returning to the UK. This generally administered by a vet in the EU and certified in the AHC. The tapeworm treatment must be administered no less than 24 hours and no more than 120 hours before your arrival into the UK.
How do I apply for an AHC?
1. Ensure your pet qualifies to travel on an AHC using the information above.
2. Contact Pet travel North East via our contact form or email us on: info@pettravelnortheast.co.uk
We will send you an information form to complete with details of yourself, your pets and your travel dates. We will then ensure that an AHC is the correct document for your travel plans and we have availability on a suitable date to issue your AHC.
3. We will book a date and time for collection of your AHC.
We do get very busy and collection dates/times are restricted as our OV also works in a traditional veterinary practice. Please contact as soon as possible to confirm availability to fit with your travel dates.
4. You need to provide us with proof of your pets microchip and rabies vaccination. Please check our FAQs with information on which documents are acceptable to provide proof of rabies vaccination.
If you do not provide the correct evidence we CANNOT issue an AHC.
5. Our OV will then use all of the information provided by you to produce the AHC.
6. We will issue you with an invoice for payment prior to your collection appointment.
7. Our OV will meet you and your pet/ pets at a convenient location to issue your AHC for collection. The OV will need to check your pets microchip and there is a declaration for the owner to sign as part of the AHC. Therefore, the person named on the AHC must be present at this appointment.
Home visits may be possible to issue the AHC, please email to enquire.
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If you are not travelling on the same day as your pet or your pet is travelling with a friend/ family member or pet transport company there are other requirements for issuing the AHC which we can discuss with you.
PLEASE NOTE:
Pet travel North East do not provide a clinical service so we are unable to microchip or vaccinate your pets. Please contact your primary care veterinary surgeon for these services.