Animal Health Ceritificates

At Brookend we can advise you on the latest regulations and arrange everything you need to take your pet to Europe and beyond. Our vets can issue Animal Health Certificates and have additional qualifications allowing them to issue export certificates too. 

Thinking of taking your pet to the EU?

Since January 2021, the regulations for travelling to the EU, Switzerland and Norway has changed and Pet Passports are no longer valid in these countries. Travelling pets now require an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) before you can travel. 
A certificate is valid for a single trip only and a new certificate will be required for every new trip to Europe. 

What is an Animal Health Certificate?

An Animal Health Certificate is a verified document issued by an Official Veterinarian (OV) certifying that your pet meets the requirements to travel from the UK to the EU. At Brookend vets we have OV’s that can issue certificates during a specific AHC consultation.

How do I get an Animal Health Certificate?

Your pet must meet the following requirements before an Animal Health Certificate can be issued. They must be:

  • Microchipped
  • Valid Rabies Vaccination:  this needs to be administered a minimum of 21 days before we can issue the AHC. This does not apply to rabies boosters providing they are not overdue. If another practice has given the rabies vaccine, please send us a full medical history and a copy of your vaccination certificate.
  • You must travel within 10 days of issuing the certificate and return to the UK within 4 months
  • Your pet will require tapeworm treatment given by a veterinary surgeon between 1 and 5 days before returning to the UK.

Important Information

To be able to issue an AHC for your pet, please provide us with the following information ahead of your appointment:

  • Rabies Vaccination Certificate and please bring the original to the appointment
  • Date of onward travel
  • Country of first entry into the EU (not the country of destination, if different)

The owner must attend the appointment with the pet. If the owner is unable to attend, then please get in touch with us before the appointment as we may not be able to issue the certificate.

Latest Government Information

For the most up to date travel regulations and requirements visit:

www.gov.uk/taking-your-pet-abroad

In addition to European travel, we also have experience of helping owners export their pets all over the world including China, Japan, Australia, USA and many other countries.  Get in touch to discuss travelling with your pets