Pet Travel
If you plan to take your pet abroad, you will need a certificate to allow them to travel. This will be either an AHC (Animal Health Certificate), or an EHC (Export Health Certificate). The certificate needs to be signed by an Official Veterinary Surgeon who is licenced by DEFRA specifically for this purpose. At Two Rivers we have two vets who are OVs and can help you with the requirements for travel and sign travel documents for you.
Please note that although we are happy to advise, it is ultimately your responsibility to ensure that you understand the requirements of the country or countries you plan to visit, and that you check yourself that all your documents are in order. We cannot be held liable for any disruption to your travel plans if the documents you have requested do not fulfill the requirements of your journey.
Animal Health Certificate
travel to a country within the EU, or Northern Ireland for dogs, cats, or ferrets
trip must not be for commercial reasons eg to sell the animal
the certificate will be valid for re-entry to Great Britain within 4 months
microchip (before or at same time as rabies vaccination)
rabies vaccination (at least 21 days before travel, booster every 3 years, must still be valid for return journey)
NB rabies vaccination should not be given within 2 weeks of other vaccinations
vet appointment for AHC within 10 days of travel (please give as much notice as you can for this appointment)
tapeworm treatment given by vet at least 24 hours and not more than 5 days before you arrive (if travelling to N Ireland, Ireland, Finland, Norway or Malta)
up to 4 additional pets can be added to the same AHC certificate
a new certificate is required for another trip
AHC costs £145 plus £45 for each additional pet (plus microchip, rabies vaccination, parasite treatment etc)
Export Health Certificate
travel to countries outside the EU
the certificate is valid for outward travel only, not return to Great Britain
find out the requirements of the country or countries you plan to travel to here
you will need a Government Gateway account and a DEFRA account info here
application is online
you will need to nominate a veterinary practice and vet to do the required checks and sign your certificate
EHC costs £295 plus £45 for each additional pet (plus microchip, rabies vaccination, blood testing, parasite treatment, and any other treatments if/as required for certification)
To enable us to help you with an Animal Health Certificate or Export Health Certificate, please complete the form below, as fully as possible, and by giving us as much notice as possible before travel:
