uk gov travel with pets

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Pet Travel Scheme

The Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) allows:

Dogs (Canis lupus familiaris)
Cats (Felis silvestris catus)
Ferrets (Mustela putorius furo)

to enter or re-enter the UK without serving statutory quarantine providing they comply with PETS. More information on PETS is on the Bring your dog, cat or ferret to Great Britain GOV.UK page.

Criteria for a 'non-commercial' movement

The owner, or designated person, must travel within five days of the pets.
No more than five pets in the consignment
A non-commercial entry document is issued with a signed declaration.

Your pet must be booked as manifest cargo on an approved airline. You may need to apply for Transfer of Residency relief (ToR1). Information is at Entering and staying in the UK on the GOV.UK page.

Travel from a listed country (Part 1 and 2)

A list of these countries is on the listed and unlisted countries GOV.UK page. The required order of preparation is:

Go to the microchip GOV.UK page. Their microchip:

Should be ISO 11784/5 compliant (15 numerical digits)
Must have been implanted and scanned prior to their rabies vaccination

We have microchip scanners that are able to read AVID (9 digits), FECAVA (10 digits, alphanumeric) and Trovan standard microchips too.

Rabies vaccination

Go to the rabies vaccinations and boosters GOV.UK page. Ensure the rabies vaccine is administered:

After their microchip was implanted and read. The vaccinating vet must scan their microchip prior to vaccination.
In accordance with the manufacturer's and countries data sheet
When your pet was at least 12 weeks old
At least 21 days prior to arrival (day of vaccine = day 0)

DOGS only: Tapeworm treatment

Go to the tapeworm treatment for dogs GOV.UK page. Ensure the treatment:

Is administered by your vet
Contains the active ingredient praziquantel
Is administered no less than 24 hours arrival before arrival
Is administered no more than 120 hours (five days) before arrival
Is recorded in full on their entry document

Tapeworm treatment is not required for dogs arriving from Ireland, Finland, Malta and Norway

Get an entry document issued

The entry document required depends on the country your pet is travelling from:

Part 1 listed countries

EU Pet Passport. These can only be issued by vets in a Part 1 listed country. Third country vets (Eg. USA, Canada) are not authorised to enter information in sections labelled "Authorised veterinarian" – doing so may make it invalid for entry. Tapeworm treatments may be documented by third country vets. Go to the listed and unlisted countries GOV.UK page.
Animal Health Certificate. This is completed by a official vet in Great Britain for return travel to the EU. From the date of issue you have 10 days to enter the EU or Northern Ireland. You may return to Great Britain within 4 months of the date of issue.

Part 2 listed and unlisted countries

GB Health Certificate. This is completed by your authorised/official vet, and then endorsed by the competent authority in the country of origin. You must include supporting documentation with this certificate. Your pet must enter Great Britain no later than 10 days from the date of endorsement by the competent authority. Go to the listed and unlisted countries GOV.UK page.

EU Pet Passports and Animal Health Certificates cannot be used as an entry document from part 2 and unlisted countries.

Cats from Australia

Cats from Australia must be accompanied with a certificate from the Australian veterinary authorities confirming that they have not been on a holding where Hendra virus has been confirmed during the 60 days before export.

Pets from Malaysia (Peninsula)

Health certification must be provided by the Malaysian veterinary authorities which confirms they:

Had no contact with pigs during at least the 60 days before export.
Had not been resident on holdings where during the past 60 days any case of Nipah disease has been confirmed.
Had a NIPAH test with a negative result. This must be carried out in a laboratory approved for testing for antibody against the Nipah disease viruses by the competent veterinary authorities on a sample of blood taken within ten days of export.

Pets imported for commercial purposes and those which cannot be accompanied as above must travel under the Trade and import regime .

Travel from an unlisted country

Any country that is not Part 1 or 2 listed on the GOV.UK page is classified as unlisted. In addition to the requirements above, you pet will need:

Rabies serology test

To be valid this must:

Be performed at an EU approved laboratory
Be based on a blood sample drawn at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination (the date of vaccination is day 0)
Return a titre of at least 0.5iu
A waiting period of three months from the sample date must pass before entry. Your pet may re-enter the EU without the three month post-blood test wait providing they vaccinated against rabies and blood sampled whilst still in the EU. This must be documented in your pet's EU Passport by your vet.
The blood test remains valid for entry providing your pet has remained vaccinated against rabies without any breaks/gaps since the blood sample. We must see evidence of all subsequent vaccinations in the form of a vaccination booklet or certificates. These must all list your pet's microchip number.

What happens if there are problems with my paperwork?

This is likely to result in delays in releasing your pet and you could incur extra charges. Non-compliances are grouped into three categories:

Section 1: Minor administrative errors by the issuing vet. No clarification from the issuing vet required and no further action required.
Section 2: Errors with the paperwork that will require us to contact the vet for clarification before release. This will incur an administrative fee of £99.
Section 3: Serious error with the paper work that could result in your pet needing to serve quarantine, or be re-exported to the country of origin. This also includes issues such as tapeworm re-treatment or new entry paperwork being issued. These will incur further charges.

Common problems

Your vet needs to record the following information about the rabies vaccination:

Manufacturer (eg. Merck, Zoetis, Merial, Boehringer Ingelheim)
Product name (Eg. Nobivac, Defensor, Imrab)
Batch number
Validity dates

We often see entry paperwork where the vet has only stated the manufacturer, and not the product name. This will result in your pet being held at our facility until we can confirm this information from the vet who administered the vaccine, incurring a £99 administrative fee.

Your pet must be identifiable via microchip before it is vaccinated against rabies. The vaccinating vet must scan and record the microchip number of your pet before administering a rabies vaccine. Any rabies vaccinations administered before microchipping are not valid for entry.

We advise you review your pet's veterinary records to find the date the microchip was implanted so this can be recorded on the entry document. if you cannot find this date, a reading date can be entered. However this first reading date must be before the rabies vaccination(s).

Most three year rabies vaccinations are only valid for three years if they're given as a booster within the validity of a one year primary rabies vaccination. The entire rabies vaccination course must have been administered:

After their microchip was implanted/read
In accordance to the manufacturer and countries requirements

If your pet's three year booster was given more than one year before its scheduled entry you will need to include evidence of its vaccination history in the form of vaccination certificates, or a booklet. You must ensure the following information is present:

Microchip number
Manufacturer of vaccine (Eg. Merck, Merial, Zoetis, Boehringer Ingelheim)
Product name of vaccine (eg. Nobivac R, Imrab, Defensor)

Any breaks in vaccination will invalidate subsequent boosters and we cannot use any vaccinations that occur before its microchip was implanted or read. The first vaccine after a break or microchip implant is considered its primary vaccine, valid for one year only.

Frequent issues with tapeworm treatment include:

A treatment given that does not contain the active ingredient 'Praziquantel', eg. Pfizer Cestex
The tapeworm treatment is administered by the owner, and not the vet.
The treatment was not administered at least 24 hours before arriving at Heathrow, or more than 120 hours (five days) before arriving. You must allow for time zone differences, these time frames are based on UK (GMT) time.

If your dog arrives without a valid tapeworm treatment it will be re-treated by a vet at HARC. This will incur re-treatment costs and another 24-hour boarding fee.

Pet Travel - Can I Bring My Dog With Me to the UK?

The withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (a move known as "Brexit") formally occurred on January 31, 2020. Following that departure is a transition period lasting until December 31, 2020, during which the U.K. and E.U. will negotiate the terms of their future relationship. This article has been updated as of the January 31st withdrawal, and you can find up-to-date information about details of the transition on the U.K.'s government website .

Yes you can bring your dog, cat or ferret into the UK without having to park them in quarantine. You just have to follow a few important rules. A lot of people still think that if they bring their pets with them into the UK they'll have to put them into a quarantine kennel for six months. Old ideas die hard. It's actually much easier, and kinder for pets and their owners, these days.

The Pet Travel Scheme, known as PETS, has been in effect in the UK for more than 15 years. It's a system that permits pet travel to the UK. Dogs, cats and even ferrets can enter or re-enter the UK from qualified EU countries and non-EU "listed" countries . Listed countries include named non-EU countries in Europe and elsewhere. Pet travel from the USA, Canada, Mexico , Australia and New Zealand are included.

In a change from the old quarantine regulations, pets that comply with the PETS rules for EU countries can enter the UK without quarantine from almost anywhere in the world. There are just a few exceptions and extra waiting periods.

What pet owners must do

Preparing your animal for pet travel under the PETS scheme is not complicated but you need to plan ahead and get the process in the works well ahead of time - at least four months if you are traveling from outside the EU. Here is what's required:

Have your pet microchipped - Your vet can carry this out and it is not painful for the animal. It must be done first, before any inoculation. If your dog has been inoculated against rabies before being microchipped, it will have to be done again.
Rabies vaccination - Have your pet vaccinated against rabies after being microchipped. There is no exemption from this requirement, even if the animal already had been vaccinated.
Blood test for pets entering from outside the EU - After a 30-day waiting period, your vet should test your animal to make sure that the rabies vaccination has succeeded in giving sufficient protection. Dogs and cats entering from and vaccinated within EU or non-EU listed countries do not have to have a blood test.
The 3-week/3-month rule The first time your pet is prepared to travel under the PETS system, you must wait three weeks before you can travel and return to the UK if you are coming into the UK from an EU or listed country. The day of the vaccination counts as day 0 and you must wait a further 21 days. If you are traveling to the UK from an unlisted country outside the EU, your pet must have a blood test 30 days after the vaccination (with the vaccination day counting as day 0) and then wait a further three months after the valid blood test before the animal can enter the UK.
PETS Documents Once your animal has passed all the required waiting periods and has had a valid blood test, if that is required, the vet will issue PETS documentation. In EU countries, this will be an EU PETS Passport. If you are traveling to the UK from a Non-EU country, your vet must complete a Model Third Country Official Veterinary Certificate which you can download from the PETS website. No other certificate will be accepted. You must also sign a declaration stating that you do not intend to sell or transfer ownership of the animal.
Tapeworm treatment Just before you enter the UK, your dog must be treated against tapeworm. This must be done not more than 120 hours (5 days) before entering the UK and not less than 24 hours. This treatment must be carried out by a licensed vet every time your pet enters the UK. If your dog does not have this treatment during the required period, it can be refused entry and placed into a 4 month quarantine. Dogs entering the UK from Finland, Ireland, Malta and Norway do not have to be treated for tapeworm.

Once you've fulfilled all the requirements, your animal will be free to travel to the UK as long as rabies vaccinations are kept up to date.

There are some exceptions. Pets coming to the UK from Jamaica must be prepared for travel under the PETS requirements in a different country, outside Jamaica. Special extra requirements apply to cats coming to the UK from Australia and for dogs and cats arriving from Peninsular Malaysia.

What else should I know?

Only certain carriers are authorized to transport pets under the PETS system. Before you make your travel arrangements, check the list of authorized carriers for air, rail and sea travel to the UK. The authorized routes and transport companies can change or may only operate certain times of year so check before you travel. If you don't arrive via an approved route, your pet may be refused entry and place in the 4-month quarantine.

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Checks to Make Before Travelling

It is prudent to check a few things before you travel out of the United Kingdom with pets. You should find out whether the company you choose to travel with:

Is going to accept your pet for travel and how their rules apply to your journey.
How many pets they will accept if you plan travelling with several animals at one time.
Requires any specific proof that the pet or pets are fit and healthy for travel purposes.
Need a letter from a veterinarian. Some companies may ask for verification of information stamped in the pet passport.

Bringing Your Pet into the United Kingdom

The PETS travel scheme rules allow up to five (5) days for pet arrivals to the UK before or after you. There are a different set of rules to follow if the animal does not arrive within that five day window period.

As a rule, you must travel with your pet using an approved transport company and route. The exception applies when travelling between Ireland and the United Kingdom.

Note : You will need to fill in a ‘ Declaration for the non-commercial movement of animals ‘. This form is to confirm that do not intend to sell or transfer pet ownership to another person.

Authorise another Person to Travel with Pets

The Pet Travel Scheme legislation permits someone else to travel with your pet or pets. But, you would need to provide authorisation in writing. Make sure you do this before another person travels with the animal(s).

Bringing in other Animal Species

Note : There are some different rules that apply when bringing certain other animals into the United Kingdom.

Pet Travel Scheme UK Rules

The process of bringing your pet cat, dog or ferret into the United Kingdom varies. In simple terms the rules to follow depend on whether you are entering from:

A country within the European Union or another country that meets the UK pet passport rules.
One of the listed countries.
An unlisted country. The UK does not accept a pet passport from any of the unlisted countries.

Country’s Pet Passports accepted by the United Kingdom

The United Kingdom accepts pet passport entries from all countries listed in the EU. The same applies for these other Non EU countries:

Andorra, Azores, and Madeira
Canary Islands
French Guiana
Gibraltar, Greenland, Guadeloupe, and the Faroe Islands
Liechtenstein
Martinique and Monaco
San Marino and Switzerland
The Vatican City

Pet Passport Listed Countries

Listed countries for bringing in pet dogs, cats, and ferrets to the United Kingdom include:

Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, Ascension Island, Australia
Bahrain, Barbados, Belarus, Bermuda, BES Islands (Bonaire, Saint Eustatius and Saba), Bosnia-Herzegovina, British Virgin Islands
Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, Curacao
Falkland Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia
Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Montserrat
New Caledonia, New Zealand
Russian Federation
Saint Maarten, Singapore, St Helena, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Pierre and Miquelon, St Vincent and The Grenadines
Taiwan, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Trinidad and Tobago
United Arab Emirates, USA (includes American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the US virgin Islands)
Wallis and Futuna

Special rules apply if you travel with a pet from Jamaica to the UK. You need to get your pet microchipped and vaccinated in a different non-EU listed country. The alternative would be to put a pet in rabies quarantine for the minimum period.

Note : Extra rules apply to pet passports and other documentation. Check the laws if you enter the UK with a cat or dog from Malaysia or a cat from Australia.

Approved Routes for Assistance Dogs

If you travel with a service dog you must use specified travel routes to enter England, Scotland, or Wales. The same rule applies to using certain travel companies.

The GOV.UK has a publication covering those routes. Check ‘ Pet travel: approved air, sea and rail carriers and routes ‘ before you travel. But, be aware that they may change or only operate at certain peak times of the year.

Note : As a rule, pets will travel as cargo. Even so, different rules apply when arriving by sea or air with a guide dog or assistance dogs .

Travelling to and from Ireland and Northern Ireland

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs is in control here. You can contact DAERA if your journeys goes to Northern Ireland. But, there is no need to use an approved transport company while travelling from Ireland to the UK.

Note : If you travel with a pet into the UK from Ireland you can only bring it on an airplane or by private boat.

Bringing Multiple Pets into the UK

There are strict rules about bringing more than 5 pets to the United Kingdom. You cannot do so without a valid reason. Examples include attending or training for a show, competition, or a sporting event. In this case ‘ all the pets ‘ must:

Be attending the training or event.
Be at least 6 months old.
Meet all the UK Pet Travel Rules and regulations.

Note : You must provide written evidence of the event registration when travelling.

You will need to complete a declaration confirming that you meet the requirements. There is a different declaration form if you will arrive in Northern Ireland.

What if you are not attending or training for a show, competition, or sporting event? There are other commercial rules for importing animals when you travel with more than 5 pets.

Dogs Arriving in the UK

Staff at the airport, or from the travel company, will scan the pet microchip upon arrival. They will also check your documentation when you arrive with dogs in the United Kingdom.

In some cases they will check your pet before you board. This would happen if you travel by sea ferry or through the Eurotunnel.

Border control can put the pet into quarantine or send it back to the country that it travelled from unless you:

Have the correct documentation for entering the United Kingdom with a pet.
Prepare the dog, cat, or ferret properly for international travel.

Note : It is your responsibility to pay for any fees or charges if you fail to follow the rules.

Entering the UK from a Country Outside the EU

You cannot collect the pet until it gets taken through customs control. A travel company, agent, or the airline will often do this for you. But, there may be a fee. Failing that, you should either:

Contact the customs department where you will arrive (before travelling).
Get more information from the National Clearance Hub at [email protected] .

ALSO IN THIS SECTION

Pet microchipping laws.

The pet microchipping procedure is most associated with the PETS Travel Scheme. The section explains how the pet microchip rules function in the United Kingdom.

Pet Passport and Documents

Travelling to and from abroad with a pet is much easier since the 2012 changes in the Pet Travel Scheme. Even so, the guide will help you understand how the pet passport scheme works.

Rabies Vaccination Rules

Getting a dog, cat, or a ferret vaccinated against rabies means it can travel in and out of the UK. Check how the pet rabies vaccination rules apply to dogs, cats, and ferrets.

Guide and Assistance Dogs

The section explains the guidelines for international travel with a guide dog . It also covers the rules for travelling overseas with other assistance dogs.

PET Helpline

The page lists the Pet Travel Scheme helpline number and email address. Use these contact details to get more information or make a complaint to the pet travel helpline.

Note : Pet owners can check the GOV.UK website for the latest advice on travelling with pets ahead of the formal end to the EU exit transition period.

Pet travel webchat

Webchat can help with general pet travel requirements. If you have a specific question, call our helpline.

We are running the webchat as a trial, so we may ask you to provide feedback.

Webchat opening hours

Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm
Bank holidays, Closed

Webchat - There are currently no agents available, try again later.

Pet travel guidance

Bringing your pet dog, cat or ferret to Great Britain
Taking your pet dog, cat or ferret abroad

Wellington: 01823 662286

Wiveliscombe: 01984 624422

Taking Pets Abroad From the UK

January 1, 2021
Cats , Dogs , Guides , Pets , Travel

Mount Vets Pets | Taking your pet abroad

When considering any pet travel please check the gov.uk website for the most up to date information contact APHA to discuss any specific questions you have.

Correct as of 31st March 2021. Please note: this guidance is aimed at the non-commercial movement of UK pets (dogs, cats and ferrets) travelling from Great Britain as a Part 2 listed country. There’s different guidance if you’re  bringing your pet dog, cat or ferret to the UK . Read the Border Operating Model if you want to export pets to an EU country or Northern Ireland for commercial reasons  such as a change of ownership.

Planning on travelling to the EU with your pet from 2021?

What does this mean for you.

Unless you’re a UK national living in the EU, your EU pet passports are no longer valid (when leaving Great Britain) from 1st January 2021. Instead, you will need an Animal Health Certificate (AHC).
When travelling to the EU or Northern Ireland, your pet (including assistance dogs) needs:

A Microchip

A valid rabies vaccination

Mount Vets Pets | Animal Health Certificate

An animal health certificate (unless you have a pet passport issued in an EU country).

Tapeworm treatment for dogs (if you’re travelling directly to Finland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Norway or Malta).

Main points to remember about getting an AHC

The earliest date we can complete an AHC is on the 22nd calendar day post rabies vaccination.
The AHC is a 10-page document which will take a minimum of an hour to complete therefore we advised not booking to travel on the same day as the appointment.
The AHC cannot be completed any earlier than 10 days before travel.
To be able to book in for an AHC we need you to complete the below form.
Up to 5 pets will be able to travel on a single AHC.
A new AHC will be required for each journey to/from UK (you will be able to travel for 4 months around Europe providing the rabies vaccination does not expire during that time).
If travelling directly to Finland, Ireland, Malta, Northern Ireland or Norway the tapeworm treatment will need to be given no less than 24 hours and no more than 120 hours (5 days) before you arrive.
If planning a day trip only the tapeworm treatment will need to be given and recorded prior to travel as you will be unable to re-enter the UK until 24hours post tapeworm treatment.
The person who is travelling with the pet must be at the AHC appointment as there is a section that must be signed by both the OV and the person travelling.
If the owner is not travelling with the dog, we need a signed document from the owner specifying the name of the person who is travelling with the pet.
An AHC cannot be used if the pet is being sold.

Please note that some countries have additional restrictions and requirements to travel to them. To keep you from scrolling through reams of information, we have provided guidance for the most common circumstances in easy-click tabs below. If your circumstances are not listed below, please give us a call and we will advise you as best we can, given the current information provided by the UK government.

Need to make an appointment?

You can no longer use a pet passport issued in Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland) for travel to an EU country or Northern Ireland.

You can still use a pet passport issued in a (current) EU country.

If you have a pet passport issued in Northern Ireland, contact your vet for advice before travelling. You can also read about  changes to pet travel on the NIDirect website

Your pet will need a new animal health certificate for each trip to an EU country or Northern Ireland.

You will need to bring your pet to us within 10 days of your travel date to get an animal health certificate. There should be no problems issuing you with one, as long as your pet is microchipped and vaccinations up to date.

Your pet’s animal health certificate will be valid after the date of issue for:

10 days for entry into the EU or Northern Ireland
4 months for onward travel within the EU
4 months for re-entry to Great Britain

Your dog will need tapeworm treatment for each trip if you’re travelling directly to Finland, Ireland, Malta, Northern Ireland or Norway.

Rabies vaccination, boosters and blood tests

You must get your dog, cat or ferret vaccinated against rabies before it can travel. Your vet needs proof that your pet’s at least 12 weeks old before vaccinating them.

If you’re taking your pet to the EU or Northern Ireland, you must wait 21 days after the primary vaccination before you travel.

You must  get your pet microchipped  before, or at the same time as, their rabies vaccination. If you do not, they’ll need to be vaccinated again.

The vaccine must be an inactivated vaccine or recombinant vaccine that’s approved in the country of use.

Booster vaccinations

If you’re travelling with your pet, you must get regular rabies booster vaccinations for your pet. Check your  animal health certificate  to find out when the booster vaccination is due.

You will not need to get repeat vaccinations for repeat trips to the EU or Northern Ireland if your pet’s rabies vaccination is up to date.

Rabies vaccination record

Your pet’s rabies vaccination record in their animal health certificate must show:

your pet’s date of birth
microchip number, date it was put in or read, and where it is on your pet’s body
rabies vaccination date
rabies vaccine manufacturer, product name & batch number
date the rabies vaccination is valid until
the vet’s signature and contact details

Your pet can be stopped from travelling if the details in their animal health certificate are in the wrong place.

Tapeworm treatment for dogs

A vet must treat your dog for tapeworm and record it in the  AHC  if you’re travelling directly to:

Northern Ireland

The treatment must have been given no less than 24 hours and no more than 120 hours (5 days) before you arrive.

The treatment must:

be approved for use in the country it’s being given in
contain praziquantel or an equivalent proven to be effective against the Echinococcus multilocularis tapeworm

Short trips

If you’re leaving Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland) for a short trip to visit countries other than Finland, Ireland, Malta, Northern Ireland or Norway, you could have your dog treated by a vet before you go.

You must wait for 24 hours before re-entering Great Britain and return within 120 hours or you’ll need to get another treatment abroad.

Information your vet needs to record

Check the vet has put the following details in the ‘Echinococcus treatment’ section of your dog’s pet animal health certificate:

the name and manufacturer of the product
the date and time they treated your dog
their stamp and signature

You cannot take more than 5 pets to an EU country or Northern Ireland unless you’re attending or training for:

a competition
a sporting event

You’ll need written evidence of registration for the event when you travel.

All your pets must:

be attending the event or training
be over 6 months old
meet all the other requirements for pet travel to that country

Arriving in an EU country or Northern Ireland

You’ll need to go through a  travellers’ point of entry  when you arrive in an EU country or Northern Ireland.

You may need to show your pet’s animal health certificate along with proof of their:

rabies vaccination
tapeworm treatment (if required)

Help and support

You can contact the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) if you’ve got questions or need more information. Alternatively, c ontact the Pet Travel Scheme helpline if you need more information about pet travel.

Pet Travel Scheme helpline [email protected] Telephone: 0370 241 1710 Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm (closed on bank holidays) Find out about call charges

There is no change to the current health preparations for pets leaving Great Britain to a non-EU country since becoming a part 2 listed country.

If you’re travelling to a non-EU country, you’ll first need to complete an export health certificate  (EHC), which then needs to be approved by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), and finally forwarded on to your vet . You’ll also need to complete an export application form (EXA) if you’re in England, Scotland or Wales.

The  export health certificate  and the export application form for each country and pet will tell you how to apply.

An EHC checks that your pet meets the health requirements of the country you’re travelling to.

You must nominate an official vet who will be sent the EHC. They’ll check your pet has met the correct health and identification requirements before you travel.

Check the rules of the country you’re travelling to for any additional restrictions or requirements before you travel.

You can contact the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) if you’ve got questions or need more information.

Animal and Plant Health Agency [email protected] Telephone: 03000 200 301 Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm Find out about call charges

If you live in Great Britain, your EU pet passport is no longer valid (when leaving Great Britain). An AHC is a document that needs to accompany your pet when travelling without a valid pet passport.

Your pet’s AHC will be valid for:

10 days after the date of issue for entry into the EU
onward travel within the EU for 4 months after the date of issue
re-entry to Great Britain for 4 months after the date of issue

Your pet will need a new AHC  for each trip to an EU country or Northern Ireland.

Your pet will not need a repeat  rabies vaccination  so long as its rabies vaccinations are up to date.

Your dog will need  tapeworm treatment  for each trip if you’re travelling directly to Finland, Ireland, Malta, Northern Ireland or Norway.

The rabies vaccination is required every 3 years under EU law but is recommended annually.

Pets must be 12 weeks old to have the rabies vaccine and you must then wait 21 days before travelling to allow the vaccine to work correctly. This means your pet will be 15 weeks old before it can travel.

Owners of assistance dogs returning from the EU do not have to travel on approved routes but they must notify the point of entry in advance that they are travelling with an assistance dog to ensure the appropriate checks are done.

Click here to view the approved routes on the government’s website.

You must get your pet microchipped before, or at the same time as, their rabies vaccination. If you do not, they’ll need to be vaccinated again.

Microchipping for pet travel can only be done by:

a vet nurse, student vet or student vet nurse (directed by a vet)
someone trained in microchipping before 29 December 2014, and with practical experience
someone who has been assessed on an  approved training course  -  contact the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA)  if the course was in Northern Ireland

Make sure your vet puts the microchip number in your  animal health certificate . The date must be before your pet’s vaccinations.

Airlines, train and ferry companies in the EU can read microchips that meet International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards ISO 11784 and ISO 11785.

You may have to bring your own microchip reader when you travel if your pet’s microchip does not meet ISO standards. You should check with your travel company before you leave.

If the microchip cannot be read

You’ll have to do all the preparation again if your vet cannot read the microchip. This means you’ll have to ask your vet to:

rechip your pet
revaccinate your pet
issue a new animal health certificate if you’re travelling to the EU or Northern Ireland
record new microchips in the ‘Marking of animals’ section of the new animal health certificate

You’ll have to  wait the required time before you can travel  if your pet is revaccinated or has new blood tests.

If the microchip can only sometimes be read

Your vet should try to read the microchip. If they get a reading, they can rechip your pet (the original chip is not removed).

This must be recorded in the animal health certificate in the ‘Marking of animals’ section with:

the number of the old and new chips
the date they were read
the date the new chip was inserted

The vet must sign and stamp the page in the animal health certificate.

Your vet should record in the ‘Others’ section of the animal health certificate that your pet has been rechipped .

You do not need to have your pet microchipped if it’s been tattooed with an identification number and all of the following are true:

you’re travelling to the EU or Northern Ireland
your pet was tattooed on or before 3 July 2011
the tattoo is clearly legible
your pet was vaccinated against rabies after it was tattooed

Your vet must record the date of tattooing, the tattoo number and the date of the rabies vaccination in the animal health certificate.

We are qualified official veterinarians (OVs)...

Please call: 01823 662286.

References:

https://www.gov.uk/taking-your-pet-abroad
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pet-travel-to-europe-after-brexit
https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/file_import/travelling_en_6.pdf

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Brexit: what to do if you travel with pets in Europe

By pdsa | 3 january 2020 #lifestyle, if you regularly travel to the eu from the uk with your four-legged friend there are a few things you’ll need to be aware of..

Brexit has been something of a sensitive issue for a few years now, with a few potential outcomes. As we are now leaving the EU at the end of January, we’ve pulled together various bits of Brexit-related pet advice into a handy guide and are going to try and break down the different possibilities and how it’ll affect travelling with pets in Europe.

So sit tight as we try to cast some light on it all.

Brexit and pets: a brief breakdown

So currently, you can take your cat or dog to the EU with an EU pet passport as long as they are microchipped, have had their rabies vaccination and have been treated for tapeworm (that one’s just for dogs). Sort of simple.

If you are considering travelling to Europe with pets, we'd recommend first going to speak to your vet about it ideally at least four months before you travel.

As the details of Brexit haven't been finalised yet, when it comes to pet travel to the EU, according to the government’s website we’re looking at three possible outcomes:

A no deal Brexit, in which case we’re likely to be classed as an ‘unlisted’ country.
A deal resulting in us being classed as a ‘Part 1 listed’ country.
A deal resulting in us being classed as a ‘Part 2 listed’ country.

Any country not part of the EU is classed as a ‘third country’ and gets one of the above ‘listings’. Still with us? We hope so.

Scenario one: no deal and being ‘unlisted’

For those who travel to the EU with a cat or dog, this is probably the worst-case scenario. If you currently have an EU pet passport that was issued in the UK, it would no longer be valid.

Before your dog or cat can travel, there are a few things you need to do to prepare. Keep in mind that these steps will take a minimum of four months, so you need to make sure you’re ready well in advance of your travels.

To prepare your pet, you’ll need to:

Get them microchipped (if they aren't already) and vaccinated against rabies.
Have a blood test at least 30 days after their final rabies vaccination and have this sent to an EU-approved lab.
If the blood test results show the vaccination has been successful, you’ll need to wait a further three months before travelling.
If the blood test results show the vaccination hasn't been successful, you’ll need to start the process again.

Once you’ve completed the above, on the day you travel you’ll need to have an animal health certificate (AHC). You'll need to get one of these from your vet within 10 days of travelling. In order to get one, you'll need to provide proof of:

Your pet’s vaccination history.
Your pet’s microchip date.
Your pet’s successful rabies blood test result.
Tapeworm treatment (this is only for travel to certain countries).

Phew. It’s a long process, so make sure you prepare well in advance. You can read the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and Animal and Plant Health Agency’s full advice on the government’s website.

Scenario two: a deal with ‘listed’ status

If we leave with a deal, there’s a chance we’ll become a ‘listed third country’. This in itself is then split into two possibilities: Part 1 listed and Part 2 listed (we’re getting there). A current EU pet passport will no longer be valid.

Both are fairly similar with small differences, so whatever happens make sure you double check before you start preparing.

Travelling with pets as listed country infographic

The only real difference between Part 1 listed and Part 2 listed is that for Part 1 listed you’ll need to apply for a new UK pet passport, but for Part 2 listed you’ll need to get a new AHC every time you visit the EU with your pet. Otherwise, for both 1 and 2, you’ll need:

To have your cat or dog microchipped and vaccinated against rabies at least 21 days before you travel.
Rabies vaccinations to be kept up-to-date.
Tapeworm treatment for your dog (if needed).

Returning to the UK

According to current government advice, there will be no change to the current system for pets entering the UK from the EU. In order to return to the UK, your pet will need one of the following:

An EU pet passport (issued in the EU or in the UK before Brexit)
The AHC issued in the UK you used to travel to the EU (you can use it up to four months after it was issued to return)
A UK pet health certificate.

Don't forget to check routes before you travel as you can only travel with pets on certain approved routes. Your pet's microchip and documents will be checked when entering England, Scotland or Wales.

Until Brexit happens, the current system in place will carry on. If you’re in the mood to find out more and you’ve not had a Brexit travel overload from all this, visit the government’s website for official advice.

Got more questions? You can contact the government’s pet travel helpline directly by emailing [email protected] or giving them a call on 0370 241 1710.

If you decide not to take your furry friend abroad with you, don't forget to check out our advice on holiday care and boarding for pets.

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Animal imports and exports: guidance

This guidance applies only to import and export of farm animals and domesticated animals.

Pet cats, dogs and ferrets from certain countries can enter Great Britain (GB) without quarantine provided they meet certain rules. The rules are in place to help keep GB free from rabies and certain other diseases.

Pets travelling to GB from Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man are exempt from these rules.

You can enter or return to GB with your pet cat, dog or ferret if it:

has been microchipped
has a pet passport or health certificate
has been vaccinated against rabies – it will also need a blood test if you’re travelling from an unlisted country
dogs are required to have a tapeworm treatment unless they are travelling to GB directly from Finland, Ireland, Malta or Norway

If you intend to bring your pet to GB, it’s important to remember:

the rules apply to all cats, dogs and ferrets travelling with their owners (including assistance and guide dogs)
your pet can travel with someone else if you’ve authorised it in writing
your pet must arrive in GB within five days of you (or another person who has written authorisation from you)
if you are purchasing or rehoming (i.e. from a pet rescue organisation/charity) a pet cat, dog or ferret from outside GB - these movements are considered to be commercial and you will have to follow additional rules for commercial movements
you cannot bring more than five pets to GB unless the pets are travelling to attend a show or a competition and are aged over six months old
it is necessary to complete a written declaration and present written evidence that the pets travelling are registered to attend such an event
if you are travelling with more than five pets and you are not attending a show or competition then you will have to follow additional rules for commercial movements
the rules for bringing your pet cat, dog or ferret into GB will be different depending on the country the pet is travelling from
pet owners are responsible for ensuring their pet meets all the rules for entering GB and that its documentation (i.e. pet passport or animal health certificate) is correctly completed.
pets that do not meet the rules may not be allowed to enter the country or may have to be quarantined on arrival at their owner’s expense

The current, full pet travel rules are detailed on the UK government website and should be consulted in advance of making travel arrangements.

Ukraine pet travel

The UK Government has put in place a temporary process for people bringing their pets to the UK from Ukraine. The Animal Plant and Health Agency (APHA) will provide quick approvals and quarantine arrangements.

More information for people displaced from Ukraine wishing to travel with pets is available on the UK Government website.

Relevant legislation

The rules for non-commercial pet travel to GB are set out in The Non-Commercial Movement of Pet Animals Order 2011

The rules for commercial movements are set out in The Trade in Animals and Related Products (Scotland) Regulations 2012 .

The Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and Other Mammals) Order 1974 sets out the requirements for bringing rabies susceptible animals into GB.

Trade in illegally imported cats and dogs

We know that some people are buying and selling dogs and cats that have been imported illegally from abroad. This trade puts the health of the animals, and the general public, at serious risk from diseases including rabies.

The UK has been free from rabies for many years. However, rabies is still present in many countries across the world. Our importation controls for pet animals are designed to stop rabies and other exotic diseases from being introduced into the UK.

Help to fight the illegal trade in pet animals

The trade in illegally imported pets is driven by consumer demand; you can play a part in fighting this illegal trade in pet animals by following some simple guidelines.

If you are planning to buy a cat/dog or puppy/kitten, we recommend that you seek out as much information as possible about your new pet.

It is equally important whether you are buying a pedigree or a cross bred animal that as a minimum:

you view the animal and its documentation before you buy
the animal if being purchased or rehomed from outside the UK must have an animal health certificate (a pet passport cannot be used for animals being purchased or rehomed from outside the UK).
the animal health certificate needs to confirm the microchip number, that it was vaccinated against rabies at no less than 12 weeks of age and for imports from certain countries, had a subsequent blood test 30 days after vaccination - for dogs, it should also show that it has been treated for tapeworm
you check the animal's history by speaking to a previous owner - if you are buying a puppy or kitten, you should always ask to see it with its mother and the rest of the litter
never buy a puppy younger than 8 weeks old

In addition you should:

buy your animal from a reputable supplier - advice on buying a dog or cat is available from a range of organisations, such as the Dog Advisory Council, Scottish Kennel Club, the Dogs Trust and the SSPCA. If you have doubts about an animal speak to your vet before agreeing to buy it

If your new pet is found to be illegally imported and non-compliant with disease control rules, then you may find yourself having to pay for costly quarantine and veterinary bills. If you are unable to meet these costs, this may leave the local authority with no option other than to euthanase (put down) the animal.

Brucella canis

Brucella canis is a type of bacterial species which causes an infection known as brucellosis . Brucella canis can be transmitted from dogs to humans. In the UK, it is mainly found in dogs imported from Eastern Europe. We advise that all imported dogs are tested for Brucella canis before coming to the UK. Further information is available on the UK Government website .

Tel: 0300 244 9874 Address: Animal Health and Welfare, P Spur Saughton House, Broomhouse Drive, Edinburgh EH11 3XD

Advice on pet travel and imports updated

Updated Pets.

Added information note to page to indicate it is currently under review and may not reflect the latest position.

Advice on pet travel scheme updated.

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Pet Travel from 1 January 2021

The EU Pet Travel regulation (Regulation (EU) 576/2013) details the documentary, health and compliance check requirements for the travel of pet dogs (including assistance dogs), cats and ferrets between and into EU Member States (MS) including Northern Ireland (NI) to avoid the quarantining of animals.

View EU Regulation 576/2013

Under the NI Protocol, from 1 January 2021, the EU Pet Travel Regulation continues to apply to travel between NI, EU Member States and Third Countries. In other words, NI remains part of the EU Pet Travel Scheme.

From 1 January 2021, Great Britain (GB) has become a ‘Part II Listed’ Third Country, for the purposes of pet travel and is therefore no longer a member of the EU Pet Travel Scheme.

This change in GB country status means there are additional documentary requirements, health preparations and checks for travelling with a pet from GB to NI, including a rabies vaccination and an EU pet passport for NI travellers or an EU Animal Health Certificate (AHC) for GB travellers.

Travelling from GB to NI or travelling from NI to GB and returning to NI

On 15 September 2021, DAERA Minister Edwin Poots MLA announced that checks on all pet dogs, cats and ferrets travelling from GB to NI would be suspended indefinitely while negotiations between the UK government and EU continue.

The UK Government and the EU have agreed the Windsor Framework . There will be no routine compliance checks on the non-commercial movement of UK origin pets (dogs cats and ferrets) travelling from GB to NI until the Windsor Framework pet travel provisions are implemented.

Please note, until further notice, all current requirements for the non-commercial movements of pets (dogs, cats and ferrets) continue to apply.

Further information on changes will be published here in due course.

Until further notice, there will be no routine physical or documentary checks on the non-commercial movement of pet dogs, cats and ferrets travelling from Great Britain to Northern Ireland where Northern Ireland is the final destination.

Officials reserve the right to undertake checks in the interim should there be a suspicion of illegal activity or welfare concerns. This applies to all journeys, irrespective of origin or destination.

Pet Travel Scheme (PETS)

PETS allows pet dogs, cats and ferrets to travel between and into EU Member States (including NI) without quarantine, as long as they meet the conditions of the scheme.

The EU Pet Travel Regulation covers the movement of up to 5 pets with their owners. Where more than 5 pets are travelling in a consignment (see exception for travelling to shows below) or in the case of the commercial movement of pets, as well as the preparations needed for pet travel, the requirements for commercial trade laid down by the Animal Health Law Regulations 429/2016 must also be met.

The Animal Health Law can be found at: Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2016 on transmissible animal diseases and amending and repealing certain acts in the area of animal health (‘Animal Health Law’) (Text with EEA relevance) | eur-lex.europa.eu .

Commercial trade includes any transfer of ownership and also relates to dogs travelling for the purpose of re-homing. Further information can be obtained from [email protected] .

Before travelling, it is always recommended that you contact the competent authority of the country of destination as there may be additional requirements that have to be met.

Getting a pet passport

From 1 January 2021, UK style EU Pet Passports issued in GB or NI up to 31 December 2020 are no longer valid. However, as NI remains part of the EU pet travel scheme, NI travellers can obtain a valid EU pet passport in NI to use as an alternative to an AHC.

As an interim measure, NI pet owners can contact their private vet, who will update their UK style EU pet passport appropriately to allow travel. A new style UK (NI) branded EU Pet Passport will then be distributed to veterinary practices in due course.

You can obtain a pet passport directly from one of the veterinary practices participating in the pet travel scheme. See link below for details:

List of Practices participating in the Pet Passport Scheme

If you live in England, Scotland, Wales, Channel Islands or Isle of Man please contact Animal and Plant Health Agency (please ring 0370 241 1710 or email [email protected] ) for details.

Requirements/Preparations for Pet Travel

The requirements for travel to EU Member States (including NI) with your pet depends on the country you are travelling from.

If you travel with an EU export health certificate (EHC) rather than an EU pet passport, you should report to the travellers’ point of entry at time of arrival in NI, to have the EHC endorsed by Portal Officials, which will allow you to use the EHC for 4 months onwards travel into the EU. Without this endorsement, the EHC will not be valid for onwards travel to the Republic of Ireland or the rest of the EU. This requirement applies to GB origin pets as well as to Rest of World origin pets.

There are 4 categories of countries. The category your country falls into will determine the preparations you need to make for your pet to travel. Details for each category are set out below:

Travelling within EU Member States (including NI)

A list of EU Member States can be found at: Countries in the EU and EEA | gov.uk .

A pet needs:

a microchip,
a rabies vaccination administered by an authorised vet. The animal must be microchipped beforehand and be at least 12 weeks old at the date the vaccine is administered,
to wait before travelling until the appropriate immunity has developed, as stated by the datasheet of the vaccination given, which must be at least 21 days after the primary vaccination is given. If the datasheet of the vaccination used says that immunity is not present until day 30 after vaccination, then you must wait 30 days before travel and your vet should record the same in the passport / animal health certificate. (This wait does not apply to an annual or 3 yearly booster vaccination, provided the booster is administered before the original vaccination expires),
a valid EU issued pet passport or an EU Animal Health Certificate,
tapeworm treatment for dogs if you’re travelling directly to Finland, Ireland, NI, Norway or Malta,
Check with your transport company, as they may need a statement from a vet confirming your pet is fit to travel.

Travelling from a Part 1 listed country to an EU Member State (including NI)

A list of part 1 listed countries can be found at: Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1293 of 29 July 2019 amending Implementing Regulation (EU) No 577/2013 as regards the list of territories and third countries in Annex II and the model of animal health certificate for dogs, cats and ferrets set out in Annex IV (Text with EEA relevance.) | eur-lex.europa.eu .

a pet passport issued by a part 1 listed country or an EU Animal Health Certificate (valid for 10 days from issue to entry of an EU Member State (including NI) and for 4 months onward travel within the EU),
Check with your transport company as they may need a statement from a vet confirming your pet is fit to travel

Travelling from a Part 2 listed country (including GB) to an EU Member State (including NI)

A list of part 2 listed countries can be found at: Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1293 of 29 July 2019 amending Implementing Regulation (EU) No 577/2013 as regards the list of territories and third countries in Annex II and the model of animal health certificate for dogs, cats and ferrets set out in Annex IV (Text with EEA relevance.) | eur-lex.europa.eu .

to wait before travelling until the appropriate immunity has developed, as stated by the datasheet of the vaccination given, which must be at least 21 days after the primary vaccination is given. If the datasheet of the vaccination used says that immunity is not present until day 30 after vaccination, then you must wait 30 days before travel and your vet should record the same in the animal health certificate. (This wait does not apply to an annual or 3 yearly booster vaccination, provided the booster is administered before the original vaccination expires),
a single use EU Animal Health Certificate confirming microchip and vaccinations (valid for 10 days from issue to entry of an EU Member State (including NI) and for 4 months onward travel within the EU,
to enter EU (including NI) through a Travellers’ Point of Entry,
Check with your transport company as they may need a statement from a vet confirming your pet is fit to travel.

Travelling from an unlisted country into an EU Member State (including NI) (an unlisted country is any country not included in the list of EU, Part 1 or Part 2 listed countries)

a microchip
a rabies vaccination which must be administered by an authorised vet and valid at the time of travel - the animal must be microchipped beforehand and be at least 12 weeks old at the date the vaccine is administered
a blood test taken at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination and the blood test must show the vaccination was successful. (the date of the vaccination counts as day zero not day 1)
a single use EU Animal Health Certificate confirming microchip and vaccinations (valid for 10 days from issue to entry of an EU Member State (including NI) and for 4 months onward travel within the EU
tapeworm treatment for dogs if you’re travelling directly to Finland, Ireland, NI, Norway or Malta
to wait 3 calendar months from the date the blood sample was taken before travelling
to enter EU (including NI) through a Travellers’ Point of Entry

(You don’t have to wait 3 months if your pet was vaccinated, blood tested and given a pet passport in the EU (including NI) before travelling to an unlisted country)

Please note if you are travelling directly to NI by air you must contact DAERA for further information at [email protected] .

Travelling from NI to GB but NOT returning to NI

If travelling from NI to GB with your pet and not returning to NI, there are no documentary or health preparation requirements. However, there is a legal requirement that dogs are microchipped at 8 weeks old.

Travelling from NI to the Republic of Ireland (ROI)

There is no change to the requirements for travelling between NI and ROI. Under the terms of the NI Protocol, the EU Pet Travel Regulation continues to apply to travel between NI and EU Member States, including the ROI, following the end of the transition period.

As was the case before EU Exit and from 29 December 2014, all pets travelling from NI to the ROI will continue to require the following:

a microchip;
a rabies vaccination;
an EU Pet Passport and
to wait before travelling until the appropriate immunity has developed, as stated by the datasheet of the vaccination given, which must be at least 21 days after the primary vaccination is given. If the datasheet of the vaccination used says that immunity is not present until day 30 after vaccination, then you must wait 30 days before travel and your vet should record the same in the animal health certificate. (This wait does not apply to an annual or 3 yearly booster vaccination, provided the booster is administered before the original vaccination expires).

A risk-based approach is taken with regards to the level of compliance checks on pets travelling between NI and the ROI. DAERA and the Department of Agriculture Food & Marine (DAFM) reserve the right to carry out checks should there be a suspicion of illegal activity or welfare concerns.

Under Article 35 of the EU Pet Travel Regulation (EU) 576/2013, an EU Member State can take appropriate action if non-compliance is discovered. These actions can include returning the pet animal to its country of dispatch or isolating the animal under official control for the time needed to comply with the necessary conditions.

If allowing the animal entry was considered to be a significant animal or public health risk, the powers exist to euthanise the animal. However, it should be stressed that this measure would only be used in an extreme situation and after extensive veterinary checks, associated risk assessment and would be matter for the jurisdiction where the non-compliance is detected.

Guide dogs and other assistance dogs

The rules for assistance dogs travelling under the EU pet travel scheme are the same as for other dogs.

Assistance dogs must meet all the requirements of the Pet Travel Scheme or may be subject to quarantine on arrival in to NI.

Assistance Pets may be permitted to travel in the aircraft cabin with their owner with carriers registered to carry assistance dogs and on approved routes. This may apply to other means of transport also.

You are advised to contact your travel operator in advance of your journey to ensure you are prepared and aware of all their requirements.

The Guide Dogs Association website has advice about taking assistance dogs abroad.

When you return to NI

On arrival if you don’t have the correct documents or your pet hasn’t been properly prepared it may be licensed into quarantine until it fully meets the entry requirements or be sent back to the country it travelled from. You must pay the costs for this.

EU Animal Health Certificate

For countries outside of the EU, authorised vets issue EU animal health certificates instead of pet passports.

This certificate is single use, confirms microchip and vaccinations and allows your pet to enter the EU (including NI).

You may need other supporting documents too. Check your certificate for full details.

If you travel with an EU Animal Health Certificate (AHC) rather than an EU pet passport, you should report to the travellers’ point of entry at time of arrival in NI, to have the AHC endorsed by Portal Officials, which will allow you to use the EHC for 4 months onwards travel into the EU.

Without this endorsement, the AHC will not be valid for onwards travel to the Republic of Ireland or the rest of the EU. This requirement applies to GB origin pets as well as to Rest of World origin pets. DAERA Trade Imports Branch can be contacted for further guidance via [email protected]

Moving commercial dogs into NI from GB

Before moving dogs for commercial purposes into NI from GB, you need to obtain an Export Health Certificate. The guidance in the link below will help you obtain an export health certificate, pre notify the arrival of the consignment into NI in advance and advise you on what you need to do on arrival at a Point of Entry.

Guidance on bringing commercial transports of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets to NI from GB

Commercial movement of pets (including travel with more than 5 pets) within the EU

Commercial movement of pets includes a sale or, the transfer of ownership including dogs travelling for the purpose of re-homing or, where more than 5 pets are travelling in a consignment. (See section below on going to shows, competitions or training).

The EU Pet Travel Scheme covers the movements of pets with their owners. For commercial movements or travel with more than 5 pets, in addition to meeting the preparations needed for pet travel, the requirements for commercial trade laid down by the Animal Health Law, in force from 21 April 2021, must be met.

Going to shows, competitions or training for an event

Pet owners travelling to an event in NI with 6 or more pets from any country, including GB, should complete the Declaration using the link below and make the completed Declaration available to a DAERA Portal Inspector upon arrival in NI.

Pet owners from NI travelling to and from an event in GB with more than 5 pets should also complete the declaration below

Pets Declaration for Events in NI

Please note that if attending a show, training event or competition irrespective of number of pets you must meet the welfare requirements laid down in 'The Welfare of Animals (Transport) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 as amended'. Further guidance and information regarding animal welfare during transport can be found at: Welfare of animals during transport. .

Movement of pets from NI to outside the EU

Before travelling, it is recommended that you contact the competent authority of the country of destination as there may be additional requirements that have to be met.

If you need to apply for an export health certificate instructions can be found at the link below:

Pets Exports

Microchipping

Your pet must be microchipped before it is vaccinated against rabies.

Make sure the vet records the number of the microchip on the pet passport or official third country veterinary certificate.

An official from DAERA NI will read your pet's microchip on arrival in NI.

You must bring your own microchip reader when you travel if your pet’s microchip doesn’t meet ISO standards.

You don’t need to have your pet microchipped if it has been tattooed with an identification number and all of the following are true:

your pet was tattooed before 3 July 2011
the tattoo is clearly legible
your pet was vaccinated against rabies after it was tattooed

Your vet must record the date of tattooing, the tattoo number and the date of the rabies vaccination in the pet passport or official third country veterinary certificate.

Tapeworm treatment (dogs only)

Your vet must treat your dog for tapeworm and record it in the pet passport or EU Animal Health Certificate every time you want to enter NI. The treatment must be given between 1 and 5 days (24 to 120 hours) before you are scheduled to arrive in NI.

Your vet must record the following details in your dog’s pet passport or certificate:

the name and manufacturer of the product used to treat your dog
the date and time they treated your dog
their stamp and signature

The treatment must have praziquantel or equivalent as its active ingredient. You don’t need to treat your dog for tapeworm if you’re coming directly to NI from Finland, Republic of Ireland, Malta or Norway.

You must put your pet into quarantine when it arrives in NI if it does not meet the entry requirements. You must pay the costs for this.

You will need to book quarantine premises.

The quarantine premises will normally deal with all documentation on your behalf. They should:

submit an application form for an import authorisation
arrange to collect your pet when they land
organise clearance through customs
arrange transport for your pet to the quarantine premises

It is advisable to check when making the reservation that the premises will do the above. If they do not, you will need to do them yourself.

Contact DAERA Trade Imports for advice by telephone: 028 90 524588 or email: [email protected]

Release from quarantine

Your pet will become eligible for release when it meets the entry requirements.

A DAERA Veterinary Officer or quarantine kennel owner will tell you when your pet will be released from quarantine.

Movements for other types of pet

If travelling with other pets such as, reptiles, birds , rodents, rabbits, please contact [email protected] for further advice and guidance. See also other animal species movements from GB to NI at: Other animal species movements from Great Britain to Northern Ireland .

Where can I get further information regarding pet travel?

Information regarding travelling with pets will continue to be updated on this DAERA website as information becomes available.

If you cannot find an answer for your query please contact the following Tel No 0300 200 7840 or email [email protected] .

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Important notice

Temporary website updates are in progress to fix technical issues. For assistance, visit our Contact Us page.

Travelling with a pet

The United States (US) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced changes to the import requirements for dogs entering the United States . These changes will come into effect on August 1, 2024 and will impact dogs travelling from Canada to the United States. The CFIA is currently in the process of reviewing these requirements. Further information and guidance will be provided as soon as possible.

New import conditions for personal pet dogs and assistance dogs from countries at high-risk for dog rabies starting September 28, 2023

Personal pet dogs and assistance dogs from countries at high-risk for dog rabies will require an import permit issued by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency before travelling to Canada.

If you're planning on bringing your dog into Canada from September 28, 2023 onwards, prepare in advance and learn more about the import process .

Pets must meet specific requirements when travelling to Canada or another country. It is your responsibility to review all the requirements for your situation.

Some requirements must be completed at specific times and if not completed correctly or on time your pet may not be eligible to travel and be refused entry.

As soon as you know your travel details, contact your local veterinarian to assist with the pet travel process. Requirements could include obtaining a health certificate, updating vaccinations, testing, or administering medications.

Only dogs, cats and ferrets qualify as pets by Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). Check requirements for other animals if you're travelling with a non-traditional pet.

Travelling to Canada from another country (import requirements)

Requirements for bringing an animal into Canada apply to the following situation:

animals entering Canada permanently
animals in transit through Canada on their way to a final destination
animals entering Canada for a temporary visit
Canadian animals returning to Canada

Travelling from Canada to another country (export requirements)

The country you're travelling to may have requirements your pet must meet before they can enter the country. Export requirements are determined by each country and can change frequently. Every time you plan to travel with your pet, it is your responsibility to check the requirements and allow enough time to get your pet ready to travel.

Pets (dogs, cats and ferrets)
All other animals

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Choosing a vet practice and treatments for your pet

Published 23 May 2024

This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: [email protected] .

Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.

This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/choosing-a-vet-practice-and-treatments-for-your-pet/choosing-a-vet-practice-and-treatments-for-your-pet

Introduction

Pet owners are responsible for making all sorts of choices about the care their pets receive.

As part of that care, you decide which vet practice to use and what treatments to buy, with advice from your vet.

It’s important those decisions are right for you and your pet.

Having the right information, and knowing what questions to ask can help when making decisions, including:

choosing a vet practice
deciding what treatments to buy (including referrals for tests, treatment or surgery)
buying prescription medication (medicines that a vet has prescribed or told you to use)

Find a veterinary practice using the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons find a vet database .

Choosing a vet practice

Look further than the closest vet

When looking for a vet practice, research shows that pet owners are more likely to find a practice that:

is near to their home
they can easily get to and access
people have recommended

There are other things that you may want to think about when choosing a vet practice.

Vet practices can often charge the same price for the same treatment and services, so it is a good idea to check and compare prices across different practices.

Prices are often available on vet practice websites, or you can ask for a price-list directly from the business.

It’s worth checking prices for some of the most common treatments and services that pets are likely to need, including:

consultations
prescriptions
annual vaccinations
first vaccinations for puppies or kittens
pet passports
microchipping
neutering or spaying a dog or cat

Vet practices can be independently owned or part of a large corporate chain.

You can check who owns a particular vet practice. The information can be available on their website, or if you are unsure, you can ask them directly.

Size and facilities

Vet practices can be different sizes, have different numbers of staff, and can vary in the treatment and services they offer.

For example, when thinking about using a vet practice, consider whether you might prefer to travel further to one that has more on-site facilities, more staff or longer opening hours.

Payment plans

Some vet practices might offer payment plans, which allow for the cost of veterinary care to be spread across a number of payments, in some cases. If this is important to you, check if the vet practice offers this.

Out of hours services

Vet practices should offer an out of hours service. If this is important to you, check who provides it.

Some vet practices provide the service themselves, and some use a third party.

If they use a third party, you can check where they are located, as they may be some distance from where you live.

Treatment and services

Ask if there are other treatment options

Vets provide expert advice when your pet is unwell or injured, and it’s important they understand any queries or concerns you may have when they are advising you.

If you are unclear or concerned about any recommended treatment or the affordability of treatment, then it’s important to discuss this with your vet.

You can also ask about alternative options to the recommended treatment.

If you have concerns about cost or affordability, discuss this with the vet practice, there may be options available (for example providing the treatment in stages, to spread the cost).

If your pet needs to be referred to a specialist for surgery or tests, it’s possible to ask for alternative providers who may offer a lower cost, or are in a more convenient location for you.

Check with the vet how urgent the treatment is, so you know if you or the vet can explore alternative options.

Before you proceed with any treatment, make sure you understand what the likely outcome may be for your pet and how much the treatment will cost (most of the time this will be an estimate and not a fixed price).

Make sure you also understand whether further treatment might be necessary.

Considering the costs and asking for options does not mean you don’t care for your pet or trust your vet.

Prescription medication

Consider buying medication elsewhere

It may be convenient to purchase prescription medication directly from your vet practice, and in some emergency situations there may be no choice.

Pet owners do not always have to buy medication from their veterinary practice.

Vet practices can provide a prescription for the medication, which allows you to purchase it elsewhere, if it is not urgently required (for example, from an online medication supplier).

There is usually a fee for a prescription if you are not buying the medication directly from the vet, but even including this fee, in some cases, it can still be cheaper to buy the medication elsewhere.

You can find accredited online suppliers on the Veterinary Medicines Directorate pages .

If you don’t know what the fee is for a prescription at your vet practice, ask.

You should also ask the vet whether you will need repeat prescriptions, or further consultations to review the medication.

Prescription fees are not fixed and so vet practices may charge different amounts. Depending on the time between prescriptions, or the kind of medicine being prescribed, your pet may need a further examination.

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