Since 1st January 2021, the principles on travelling out and in of Great Britain with a pet have modified.
Before Brexit, pet passport holders may freely journey between EU nations with out quarantine underneath the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS).
This made it simpler for individuals to take their cats, dogs and ferrets on vacation. Now it is totally different.
Below, we focus on:
What’s a pet passport?
It’s a doc that permits pets entry to different nations with out quarantine. It was initially used for pets to enter and re-enter Britain from the EU and different listed nations.
However, we not use them in Britain, and you may not use pet passports issued in Britain. Northern Ireland or EU pet passports are nonetheless legitimate.
Pet journey to Europe after Brexit
Pet journey to Europe has modified since Brexit.
You can nonetheless take your pet from Britain to EU nations with out quarantine when you have an animal well being certificates (AHC).
An AHC is a doc that proves a pet is microchipped and vaccinated towards rabies, and dogs, cats or ferrets travelling from Britain to an EU nation or Northern Ireland wants one.
Read extra about microchipping your pet.
AHCs embrace details about a pet’s proprietor and particulars of the pet/s, together with kind, breed, age and measurement.
How to get an animal well being certificates
To get an AHC, you have to test that your regular vet can challenge one, as solely an official veterinarian (OV) can signal them. You have to get an AHC not more than 10 days earlier than you propose to journey.
You’ll have to show your pet’s microchipped and supply its vaccination historical past. Your pet’s regular vet ought to have all these particulars on file.
Read extra about vaccinating your pet.
An AHC can have as much as 5 pets on it, and as soon as issued, it’s going to be legitimate for 10 days. You then have a 10-day window to enter the EU or Northern Ireland from the date on the AHC.
The AHC might be legitimate for 4 months of onward journey throughout the EU and 4 months of re-entry to Britain.
You’ll want a brand new AHC for every journey you need, however your pet is not going to want a repeat rabies vaccination if the earlier one continues to be up-to-date.
The cost of an AHC varies between vets, however it’s often round £100-£150, which incorporates the worth of a veterinary session and time for a vet to overview the required paperwork.
Rabies vaccinations
You should vaccinate your canine, cat or ferret towards rabies earlier than they will journey.
Vets state that your pet wants vaccination a minimum of 12 weeks old, and a vet should see proof of their age earlier than vaccinating them.
You should wait 21 days to journey after your pet is vaccinated to make sure they’re adequately protected.
Book your pet for booster vaccinations yearly to guard them towards rabies. Your vet ought to hold your pet’s vaccination report updated, however it’s price checking it to ensure.
Tapeworm remedies for dogs
A vet should deal with your canine for tapeworm and report it on the AHC everytime you need to carry it to Britain. The canine must obtain therapy between 24 and 120 hours earlier than getting into.
To adjust to the journey laws, the vet administering the tapeworm therapy should put the next on an AHC:
- particulars of the worming product
- the date and time of therapy
- their stamp and signature
Failure to take action can lead to a canine being refused entry to Britain or put into quarantine.
Travelling to an EU nation or Northern Ireland
When travelling to an EU nation or Northern Ireland from Britain, your pet wants:
- a microchip
- a sound rabies vaccination
- an AHC or a sound pet passport the nation accepts
- tapeworm therapy for dogs when you’re travelling on to Finland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Norway or Malta
Before journey, you need to test the principles of the nation you are travelling to for any further restrictions or necessities.
Travelling to a non-EU nation along with your pet
If you are travelling from Britain to a rustic exterior the EU, you may want an export well being certificates (EHC) that checks that your pet meets the nation’s necessities.
Each nation has its personal EHC necessities, so you need to seek for the nation you are travelling to on GOV.UK.
You’ll additionally have to fill in an export software kind. Your vet will test and signal the EHC and guarantee you could have the correct journey paperwork.
Travelling on planes
The International Air Transport Association Live Animal Regulations want air journey operators carrying animals to make sure appropriate pet circumstances.
Unless your pet is an help canine, it’s going to have to journey within the maintain of a aircraft, which may very well be closed longer than anticipated when you have a delayed flight.
Pets can discover air journey irritating. Putting a blanket from home or a favorite toy within the service with them will help a pet really feel extra settled on the journey.
Before reserving a flight, test the airline’s pet journey coverage and ensure they’re on the government-approved pet journey airways record. Visit GOV.UK for an up-to-date record.
Travelling on ferries
Ferries are equally regulated, and your pet will seemingly have to remain in your car or a delegated container space throughout journey. You ought to test your ferry firm’s pet coverage for particular particulars and ensure they’re a government-approved operator on the pet journey sea and rail route record.
Again, GOV.UK is your finest wager for an up-to-date record.
Returning to Great Britain with a pet
When you arrive in Britain, an official will test, signal and stamp your pet’s journey paperwork.
If they refuse your pet entry, they will hold it in quarantine till your pet completes any mandatory therapy. Sometimes, it could be deported to the nation you travelled from or, in excessive circumstances, put to sleep.
If you enter Britain from exterior the EU, you possibly can solely accumulate your pet after it has been taken by way of customs. You will pay an agent, journey firm or airline to do that for you.
If you possibly can’t do that, contact the customs workplace the place you arrive earlier than you journey or ask the National Clearance Hub at [email protected] for extra data.
Before you journey along with your pet
Be trustworthy with your self about what could be finest on your pet. Many pets can discover travelling irritating, particularly if it means being separated from their homeowners during the journey.
If your pet is prone to wrestle with the change of routine and atmosphere, go away them with a trusted pal, member of the family or pet sitter at home.
If you determine to take your pet, test that your vacation vacation spot has all the required services.
Check you may get your pet’s regular meals when you are away, and ensure you take lots with you if you cannot. A sudden change in meals can lead to an upset abdomen.
Consult a vet when you want extra clarification about how your pet would address travelling. They’ll be capable of advise you on the very best choices for you and your pet.
Pet insurance coverage when overseas
Pet insurance coverage is efficacious when bringing your pet overseas or to Britain. Many insurers have cowl for pets abroad however test that that is included in your coverage earlier than you journey.
Some insurers have exclusions for particular nations, which means your pet won’t get cowl when travelling there.
We prolong our pet insurance coverage to European locations for as much as 30 days.
Karen Cornish
Pet journalist
I’ve spent 20 years writing about pets and exploring the fantastic relationships they’ve with their homeowners. I began as a workers author on Dogs Today journal, working my method as much as turn into deputy editor in 2008. In 2010, I left the workplace to pursue a contract profession, relocated to north Norfolk and began a household.
Over the years I’ve contributed considerate human-interest options, superstar interviews and investigative information tales to publications together with The Sunday Times, Dogs Today, Dogs Monthly and Your Cat. I’ve additionally ghost-written veterinary books and press releases for the pet trade.
When I’m not writing, I get pleasure from lengthy walks within the Norfolk countryside with my rescue lurcher Popsie. These are at all times adopted by tea and cake.
