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Taking Your Pet to Europe

If you are planning to take your pet on a trip abroad (be it an animal, cat or ferret) then you’re going need an Animal Health Certificate to get there and return.

You might be familiar with that old passport for pets system however, in a post-brexit society, these pet passports aren’t longer valid.

Yes, it’s more difficult than it was to transport your pet around the world and, yes, it’s more expensive.

However, we’re not here to advocate in favour or against the changes resulting from brexit, but solely to outline the details and procedures required for bringing pets from the UK to Europe (and return to the UK) in the current state.

How To Find A Animal Health Certificate

You’ve decided to plan your vacation to Europe and you’d like to bring your pet along with you. What do you do?

You require The Animal Health Certificate, often abbreviated as AHC!

It doesn’t matter if the pet you have is cat, dog or ferret.

It doesn’t matter if you’re driving and using your time taking the Eurotunnel as well as a ferry or you are a ferry rider or the Eurostar or an airplane.

No matter if you are a holder of an UK Pet passport issued by the UK.

Still require an Animal Health Certificate.

These are steps that you must take to follow:

Do you have a pet with vaccination against rabies?
If so, and on time then skip to step 4.
If it’s not there or has expired and requires an increase, you’ll need to provide your pet with a vaccine for rabies at least 21 days prior to the time you even receive an AHC.
You’ll have to give the vets who issue the AHC legal document proof of your pet’s rabies vaccination status. If your vet has have administered the rabies vaccine and is preparing the AHC they’ll have it already. If you do not plan to use your own veterinarian to administer your AHC (more details on that later) they’ll be able to supply the required documentation to forward.

That’s it! Four easy steps to obtain the Animal Health Certificate!

However, if you’re traveling direct to Finland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Norway or Malta (i.e. not through a third country) you’ll also have to have your veterinarian administer the treatment for tapeworms and keep a record of the treatment as well.

Which vets should I seek an AHC From?

Some vets may not offer you the Animal Health Certificate.

While not all vets cost the same. You shouldn’t be paying any over PS100 in the case of an AHC therefore, speak to your vets for an estimate.

Today, AHCs are a relatively new piece of documentation and some vets be a bit rusty in filling out the forms. Particularly, in areas that are far from major international transport connections, such as ports or large airports.

We’ve been told (unverified but highly credible) reports of veterinarians filling out AHCs incorrectly, and pets not being able to travel until they reach the airport or port.

Therefore, for this reason, and in order not to disrespect numerous veterinarian practices, should get the Animal Health Certificate issued by an experienced and well-reviewed veterinarian close to the departure point from the UK since they’ve done a lot of work in the past and are now in filling out these forms.

If you have to provide any of the vets listed above with the proof of your rabies vaccination (which should have been given at minimum 21 days prior to taking an AHC) you have two optionsto choose from:

If your pet is covered by current rabies vaccination and you’ve got an older pet passport, this one will contain the required details on rabies vaccinations that is recorded which is then signed off by a qualified vet. Send scans of relevant pages to the veterinarians.
If your pet isn’t carrying an old passport for their pet, you must request the Rabies Vaccination Certificate through your vet in the area and then forward it to the vet who issued the AHC you or ask your vets to send directly to the vets who issue the AHC. (Different procedures differ in the types of vaccines they accept , so make sure to inquire the vet directly).

What is the length of time the validity of an Animal Health Certificate Valid For?

This is the toughest part.

A Animal Health Certificate is only valid for 4 months and one trip to another country! Be aware the fact that it’s 4 months after the date of issue of the AHC and not four months from when you enter Europe!

This means you’ll need to purchase a new AHC each time you travel across the world together with your furry friend!

What date do I have to have my AHC by?

A Animal Health Certificate must be used within 10 days after the date of issue in order to be accepted.

Unfortunately, you can’t have your certificate issued ahead of time as it could be outdated at the time you want to use it.

However, the top doctors (the one we’ve recommended) typically allow you to reach them, provide all the necessary information and pay for the certification several months ahead of time.

They’ll then design and issue the certification within the appropriate time that you can pick up when you leave in the UK as well as into Europe.

How many pets can I keep within just one Animal Health Certificate?

You are allowed to have up to five pets on your Animal Health Certificate.

The only catch is that all pets have to share the same owner and traveling together simultaneously.

But, they don’t necessarily have to be of the same species. They may be a mix of cats, dogs and ferrets.

What’s the price for the cost of an Animal Health Certificate cost?

There isn’t a standard all-inclusive to guide the price you spend on the Animal Health Certificate.

We’ve heard of individuals paying PS75 as well as heard of individuals being assessed a charge in excess of PS250.

Based on the options that are available to you by your vets mentioned above, we’d suggest that if need by the vet to spend more than PS100 or PS150 in order to purchase your AHC (for one pet) then you may need to research a some!

It’ll cost a little more to add additional pets to your AHC.

The Process of Traveling with Your Pet Abroad

Now, you’ve got all you need to know about receiving your AHC what’s the exact procedure to take your pet away and then returning it to your home.

Check that your pet has had an rabies vaccination for at least 21 days prior to collecting your AHC
Take your AHC issued no later than 10 days prior to when the date you plan to travel
Bring your pet along with AHC to the authorities at the point of entry into Europe. They’ll need to look over the documents and scan your pet’s microchip.
Take advantage of your travels for as long as 4 months following the date of issue on the Animal Health Certificate.
Visit your pet’s European vet within 24 to 12 hours (1 up to five days) prior to your return visit in the UK to have it wormed. The vet needs to administer the worming procedure themselves and keep a record of the procedure in your AHC!
Return to the UK and again present you AHC as well as your pet’s ID to authorities at the entry point to the UK.

One note on the “points of entry” for Europe as well as the UK. It is likely to be prior to your actual travel. On the Eurotunnel for instance the check of your pet’s outbound is conducted by the UK and is completed by Calais on your return (return) travel.

Your carrier (ferry company, airline) etc. will notify you of the location and how it is handled when you check your pet to travel with them.

Why Can’t I Use my Old Pet Passport?

As of Brexit Great Britain has been awarded a ‘part II classified status’ pets that do not require commercial travel.

This signifies that pets’ passports are removed as well as Animal Health Certificates required on a trip-by-trip basis.

The Facts: Animal Health Certificate Alternatives

There are a lot of individuals who are unhappy about the added cost and the complexity of pet travel in Europe out of the UK in an following Brexit world.

There is a workaround which, although not exactly as per the law and may backfire, it is being used by a lot of people.

While you’re living in the EU certain European vets will give your pet the EU pet passport, instead of the GB pet passport.

This effectively lets you travel within as well out of EU exactly the same way you did before Brexit as long as your rabies vaccine is up-to-date by using the European vets who gave you your EU pet passport.

This means that you’ll be required to regularly go to Europe and also the vet that you visit to keep the vaccine current.

However, you’ll encounter difficulties to find a vet who offers this service, as it is being slapped down. It is also possible to prove that you have an address that is a home address within the EU this could be a problem for those who do not have a second home or family members and friends who reside in the EU.

What Will Happen When the Old Pet Passport Scheme Come Resurrected?

There are rumors, but at the moment, it’s only the rumor.

It would be wonderful to discuss in conjunction with EU to reinstate the pet passport scheme , but at the moment of writing there’s no official confirmation of the matter.