Travelling Pets
Pets are seen as a member of the family by many owners and families in the UK and pets are often taken on holiday abroad.
Pets travelling from Great Britain to an EU country or Northern Ireland will need an Animal Health Certificate.
Your pet must:
Have a functioning microchip
Have a rabies vaccination at least 21 days before travel
Enter the EU via a designated Travellers’ Point of Entry
Have an Animal Health Certificate written in the official language of the country they will enter the EU unless you have a pet passport issued in an EU country or Northern Ireland
Dogs travelling directly to Finland, Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland or Malta must be treated for tapeworm no less than 24 hours and no more than 120 hours (5 days) before you arrive
The Animal Health certificate is:
Valid for ten days from the date of issue
Valid for a single trip into the EU
Valid for onward travel within the EU for four months or until the date of expiry of validity of the rabies vaccination whichever is sooner
Valid for re-entry to Great Britain for four months after the date of issue provided rabies vaccination is kept up to date
We suggest that you discuss your travel plans with one of our Official Veterinarians at least one month before your intended travel plans to ensure your pet is prepared for travel.
Always come and see us at KGVS and consult the DEFRA website about taking your pet abroad well in advance of travel.
Further information about possible infectious disease risks to your pet when travelling abroad has been published by the European Scientific Counsel Companion Animal Parasites:
Travelling pets advice
Travelling with pets in the UK by car or train is easy to do, but does need some planning and forethought. If travelling by car, effective restraint of pets is recommended. Doggy seat belts, dog crates and secured cat and bird carriers are essential. Always have a supply of freshwater and a means of offering it. NEVER open a cat carrier at a service station – or you risk your cat escaping. Make sure before you embark on a train journey that pets are allowed to accompany you.
Exporting pets permanently out of the UK could be a very simple or an enormously complicated process. The rules and regulations of the importing country will reflect the need to exclude infections and diseases not present in that country at the time. We recommend that you discuss your plans with KGVS as soon as possible so we can assist you in getting the correct and most recent information. We can then arrange for any laboratory tests, vaccination, parasite treatment or export certificates to be done at the appropriate times.
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