Animal Health Certificates

Before your dog, cat or ferret can travel to the EU or SI you’ll need to apply for an Animal Health Certificate.

For Northern Ireland, owners can apply for a Northern Ireland Pet Travel document online. You can find more information here: Taking your pet dog, cat or ferret abroad: Travelling to Northern Ireland - GOV.UK

We are currently only able to do Health Certificates for clients and pets already registered with us.

What you need to check before getting an Animal Health Certificate:

  • Your dog, cat or ferret must be microchipped.
  • Your dog, cat or ferret needs to be vaccinated against rabies (NB: your pet must be at least 12 weeks old to receive this vaccination)
  • You will need to wait 21 days after any primary or rabies vaccinations before you travel so bear this in mind when you are planning your travel and AHC appointment.
  • If the rabies vaccination was not administered by Elm Vets, we will need official veterinary history, including expiry dates and batch numbers.
  • The person travelling with the pet needs to be present to sign at the collection appointment.
  • Check if your pet needs tape worming treatment prior to travel, each country differs.
  • That you will be arriving via a travellers point of entry to the EU.
  • That you have read the Gov website: Taking your pet dog, cat or ferret abroad: Travelling to an EU country - GOV.UK

Please contact the practice AT LEAST 30 days before you intend to travel. We are unable to complete the certificates short notice.

FAQ's

  • An Animal Health Certificate is issued by an Official Veterinarian and confirms that your pet:

     

    - Is microchipped (before rabies vaccination)

    - Has a valid rabies vaccination

    - Is clinically healthy and fit to travel

     

    An AHC is valid for 10 days to enter the EU, lasts for 6 months and a new one is required each time you travel. Pet passports are no longer valid for GB residents entering the EU, even if the passport was previously issued in an EU country.

     

    The primary purpose is to keep the UK free from rabies, and other foreign diseases such as those transmitted by parasites that do not exist in the UK.

  • An animal health certificate (AHC) can only be issued by an Official Veterinarian (OV). An appointment for this can be arranged by contacting us but please do this as soon as you book your journey. We cannot guarantee we will be able to provide an AHC at the last minute as we may not have the spare appointment time.

     

    When you apply for an Animal Health Certificate, you will need to take your pet, along with vaccination and other medical records, to the issuing vet.

  • You need an AHC for your dog, cat or ferret if they’ll be travelling from the UK to an EU country (inc the rep of Ireland).  Please find a list here: Taking your pet dog, cat or ferret abroad: Travelling to an EU country - GOV.UK

     

    If your pet is travelling from a non-EU country, then different rules may apply (for example additional documentation or blood samples). See Taking your pet dog, cat or ferret abroad: Travelling to a non-EU country - GOV.UK for government guidelines on which countries this is applicable to.

  • The owner, as named in on the AHC must be aged over 16. Pets must be accompanied either by their owner or by a person authorised in writing by the owner. The person travelling with the pet owner or non-owner will need to be available in person at the AHC collection appointment.

  • Please click here to view our price list.
     

    Any vaccinations or medications required in addition will incur additional charges. You will need a new certificate every time you leave the UK, including travel to Ireland/NI.  

  • An animal health certificate can only be issued ten days to travel (ie: you will have 10 days to use it to leave this country). Please bear in mind that travel to some countries require blood tests and additional treatments, and in these cases, passports or travel certification can take significantly longer to prepare and issue. You should always contact us as soon as possible if you are planning to travel.

  • The EU Regulation requires pets to be at least 12 weeks old when vaccinated. Whilst some EU countries will allow young, unvaccinated pets to travel (subject to certain conditions) the UK does not permit this. This means no pet can enter the UK unless they are 15 weeks old (12 weeks and 21 day wait).

  • The owner or authorised person can only be accompanied by a maximum of five pets. You cannot take more than 5 pets to an EU country unless you’re attending or training for a competition, show or sporting event. You’ll need written evidence of registration for the event when you travel.

  • All AHC’s will be issued from our Milehouse clinic, please call 01752 567567 to arrange an appointment.

  • You can read more about Animal health certificates and pet travel at Taking your pet dog, cat or ferret abroad: Travelling to an EU country - GOV.UK