Animal health certificate
An Animal Health Certificate (AHC) is a document that allows you to travel with your dog, cat or ferret from Great Britain (GB) to the EU or Northern Ireland.
What is an AHC?
An AHC is a certificate issued by a vet which allows your pet to travel with you to certain countries. This replaces GB issued pet passports.
There may also be other things you need to do so your pet can travel to, or return to, the UK. Each country can have different regulations, and these can change. If you’re planning to travel with your pet, always make sure you check the requirements for the UK and the country where you’re planning to travel.
Important
It's your responsibility to understand the travel regulations. This applies for any countries where you’re travelling, and the regulations for when you return to GB. Always check the government websites of all the countries
How do I get an AHC?
An AHC can only be issued by an official veterinarian (OV) authorised by the Animal and Plant Heath Agency (APHA). You will need to call your vet practice to ask if they have an OV who can carry out your AHC appointment. If your usual practice doesn’t have an OV, they may be able to direct you to an appropriate practice.
Is there anything I need to prepare before the appointment with the OV?
- Plan ahead: Getting an AHC can take time. Book your appointments well in advance to meet all requirements.
- Get documents ready for your appointment: Your vet will need information and documents for your pet. This usually includes microchip and vaccination details. Ask your vet for a list so you can bring all the documents you need.
- Check if your pet needs a rabies vaccination: Rabies vaccinations are often needed for pet travel but are not usually part of annual vaccinations in the UK
Can I use my pet’s passport that was previously issue in GB?
No. Pet passports that were previously issued in GB are no longer valid for travel. Pet passports issued in other countries may be valid for travel from GB to other countries. Check the UK government website for more details.
Important
Your pet’s travel documents are just as important as your own passport. Always check you have all the documents you need before you start to travel, by speaking with an official veterinarian and checking government websites.
Can I get an AHC from a Blue Cross hospital?
Our Blue Cross hospitals do not issue AHCs or provide rabies vaccinations. We prioritise our appointments to help the sick and injured pets that are most in need of our care. Vaccinations given at Blue Cross hospitals do not quality your pet to travel abroad.
More information
- Visit the government website
- Call the government’s pet travel helpline on 0370 241 1710
- Email the government’s pet travel helpline at [email protected]
