Travel Advice

An Animal Health Certificate (AHC) is required for all pet dogs, cats and ferrets owned by GB residents travelling from the UK to or through the EU. See https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-eu-rules-for-pet-travel-for-gb-residents for further information.

An AHC is not required for:

• Any species other than those stated above
• Pets owned by EU residents who have a valid EU pet passport with an up-to-date Rabies vaccination
  • Although can be provided to EU residents whose pet’s Rabies vaccinations are out of date and need to be renewed in the UK
  • UK pet passports are no longer valid for travel but please retain these as a record of past Rabies vaccinations
• Pets travelling from England/Scotland/Wales to Northern Ireland
• Pets being transported for commercial movement i.e. being sold, rehomed or transfer of ownership

A pet travelling from England, Scotland or Wales to Northern Ireland does not require an Animal Health Certificate unless they are travelling on to the EU. These pets require a Northern Ireland Pet Travel Document (PTD), which owners can apply for online for free and are valid for life. See https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-northern-ireland-pet-travel-document to apply.

A certificate completed by a government-approved official veterinarian (OV) certifying that a pet dog, cat or ferret has been administered a Rabies vaccination by a veterinary surgeon and their microchip was scanned at the time of administration for identification purposes.

An AHC Is not: 

• A medical health certificate 
• A fit to fly certificate 
• An infectious disease certificate 
• An export health certificate 

1. Cats with a valid Rabies vaccination that:
2. 1. Covers them for the entire duration of travel
   2. Has been given consistently without lapse
      1. OR was given >21 days prior to the AHC appointment
   3. Note: Cats must be 12 weeks or older to receive a Rabies vaccination

2. Cats with a valid original (copies not accepted) Rabies vaccination certificate including:

1. 1. Microchip number
   2. Confirmation that the microchip was scanned at the time of vaccination
   3. Date the rabies vaccination was administered
   4. Date the rabies vaccination becomes valid
   5. Date the rabies vaccination is next due
   6. Vaccine batch number
   7. Vaccine expiry date
   8. OR a valid clinical history with the Rabies vaccination information and stating the microchip was scanned at the time of vaccine administration

3. Cats with a valid microchip

£329.00 for first cat. £99.00 for each additional cat under same pet owner (maximum 5 cats altogether).

If a cat has been booked for an AHC appointment but is not eligible, you will still be charged £133.00 to cover the extended consultation fee. Cat owners are responsible for ensuring their pet meets the requirements for an AHC. If you would like veterinary advice on whether your cat is eligible for an AHC, you may book in for a consultation (£67.00) or phone consultation (£60.00) prior to booking the AHC appointment (ideally several weeks before travel). Please note, we cannot provide advice without the original Rabies vaccination certificate or previous clinical history (ideally both). If your cat is not eligible, they may not be able to travel.

A microchip is £36.00 and will only need to be implanted once. A rabies vaccination costs £77.00 – this will need to be repeated according to the manufacturer’s recommendation to allow continual travel.

• Within 10-day period before your pet’s arrival in the EU if not travelling to countries listed in second point or your pet is a cat or ferret
•  OR No less than 24 hours and no more than 120 hours before their scheduled arrival in the EU if your pet is a dog, travelling to one of the countries listed below and you would like to combine the tape worming treatment with the AHC appointment
• • Republic of Ireland
  • Finland
  • Norway
  • Malta
  • Northern Ireland (require tapeworm treatment but not AHC)

• AND 21 days or more after a rabies vaccine if:
  • It is the first Rabies vaccine for that pet, or
  • The most recent Rabies vaccine was given after the previous one lapsed
  • Note: This is not applicable for pets who are up to date with their Rabies vaccines, they have not lapsed, and the most recent vaccine will cover them for the entirety of their travel duration

• An original Rabies vaccination certificate (please send us a copy but bring original to your appointment)
  • Ideally also a copy of your cat’s full clinical history including their Rabies vaccination appointment
  • Note: Neither are required if most recent Rabies vaccination was done at our practice

• Information including
  • Entry country
  • Destination country
  • Travel date
  • Who is travelling with your cat
    • If you, please confirm all details with our reception team including address and contact number
    • If not you, the name of the person travelling with the cat OR the name of the transport company

The EU Regulation requires pets to be at least 12 weeks old when vaccinated. Whilst some EU countries will allow young, unvaccinated pets to travel (subject to certain conditions) the UK does not permit this. This means no pet can enter the UK unless they are 15 weeks old (12 weeks and 21-day wait).

The owner, as named on the pet’s clinical record and the animal health certificate. The owner must be aged over 16. Pets must be accompanied either by their owner or by a person authorised in writing by the owner.

The owner or authorised person can only be accompanied by a maximum of five pets. You cannot take more than 5 pets to an EU country unless you are attending or training for a competition, show or sporting event. In this case you will need written evidence of registration for the event when you travel.

An AHC can only be issued by a government approved official veterinarian (OV).

Please call us to book your appointment so that we can book you with an appropriate vet for a 40-minute slot to allow adequate time to process the paperwork. You can call us on 01865 243000 (Botley) or 01865 950700 (Marston).

You may receive an email with a link to provide further details for the purposes of the AHC appointment. Please complete these details as soon as possible to allow for a smooth and efficient appointment. This link will not be sent if we have insufficient information for you on file.

You (the registered cat owner) must attend the appointment, even if you are not travelling with your cat, as you are required to sign the animal health certificate. You must be the named on the cats account with us and the Rabies certificate.

AHCs are valid for travel within the EU for up to 6 months but allow only one exit and re-entry into the UK. Once your cat re-enters the UK, their AHC expires and they will require a new AHC for any subsequent trips.

If you are re-entering the UK after >6 months abroad, you must obtain a Great Britain Pet Health Certificate. This certificate is valid for re-entry within 10 days of being issued.

All dogs require tapeworm treatment to re-enter the UK, within 24-120 hours of their scheduled arrival.

An Export Health Certificate (EHC) is needed to travel with your cat outside of the EU and NI. You will also need to complete an export application form (EXA) if you are in England, Scotland or Wales.

Depending on the country additional documentation or blood samples may be required. Please see https://www.gov.uk/taking-your-pet-abroad/travelling-to-a-noneu-country for government guidelines on which countries this is applicable to.

The process varies slightly depending on your destination and origin. Please follow the guidelines on https://www.gov.uk/export-health-certificates.

Depending on your destination, you may need to nominate an official vet who will be sent the EHC to check the paperwork. Additionally, each country has its own set of restrictions and requirements that must be adhered to – please ensure that you are compliant with all these requirements. Please contact the embassy of your destination country for a full list of requirements for travelling with your cat.

Please be aware that our staff will help you in any way that we can, but we are not familiar with the requirements for travel to every country, especially as these may change over time. It is therefore your responsibility to let our vets know exactly what you require when you are travelling with your cat. We can accept no liability for delayed travel if you do not provide us with the correct information required for your travel circumstances.