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How to Get Your Animal Health Certificate (AHC)

Travelling abroad with your pet? Here’s how to get your Animal Health Certificate quickly and smoothly with our clinic.

An Animal Health Certificate (AHC) is required if you’re taking your dog, cat, or ferret to the EU or Northern Ireland. It must be completed and signed by an Official Veterinarian (OV) approved by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), no more than 10 days before you travel.

Follow these four simple steps to obtain your AHC with us.

01

Check Your Pet is Eligible

If your pet hasn’t had a rabies vaccination before, or if the most recent one has expired, you’ll need to book them in for a rabies vaccination at your vets. This needs to be done at least 21 days before your Animal Health Certificate appointment with us.

02

Book an Appointment

Book an appointment at one of our practices, or by giving us a call. The appointment needs to be within 10 days of your departure date, and it must be at least 21 days after your pet has had their rabies vaccination.

03

Complete Our Pre-Appointment Form

You willl need to complete our online pre-appointment form prior to your appointment. We’ll also need you to ask your vet practice to email us your pet’s clinical history. This allows us to check everything is in order, and prepare the certificate before you visit.

04

Collect Your AHC

Come to our clinic for your appointment, bringing your pet and rabies document. The appointment lasts around 30 minutes, and we’ll take payment and issue your Animal Health Certificate there and then. Once issued, you’ll have 10 days to depart on your trip.

AHC Example Cerificate

Requirements for travel to the EU and Northern Ireland
  • Microchip with up-to-date details.
  • Valid rabies vaccination – these can be given from 12 weeks of age and must be given more than 21 days BEFORE completing the AHC.
  • Boosters are given every 3 years if given in the UK (EU vaccines may differ).
  • An AHC must be completed by an Official Veterinarian (a UK vet with a special qualification, not all vets have this) within 10 days of your outward journey to the EU.
  • Dogs travelling to Finland, Malta and Northern Ireland must receive tapeworm treatment at the time of completing the AHC. This must be done not more than 120 hours, and not less than 24 hours before travel.
  • Before re-entering the UK dogs must receive tapeworm treatment by a local vet. This must be done not more than 120 hours, and not less than 24 hours before they return to the UK.
  • Up to 5 animals can be included on one certificate. If you are travelling with more animals than this then a different export certificate is required. If they are of different species then a certificate per species is required E.g. A dog certificate and a cat certificate.
  • AHCs are only appropriate if the owner is transporting the animals, or if the owner is travelling within 5 days of the animal.
  • AHCs provide 4 months of onward travel within the EU and subsequent return to the UK within this time.
  • Please complete the following questionnaire at least 5 days before your AHC appointment.
  • Animal Health Certificates are available to collect from 9 .30 am to 6 pm Monday to Friday and 9.30 am to 12 pm on Saturdays.
  • You must complete ALL fields, including your pet’s microchip number or your request will be rejected.
  • Incorrectly completed forms may result in your pet being refused travel.
  • Please state your preferred collection date.
AHC Questionnaire
  • Vaccine card/old pet passport that contains the rabies vaccine history. If you have neither of these then please ask our reception team to check if we have evidence of this on your clinical history.
  • The pets who are travelling.
  • The owner who is travelling with the pets – you will be required to sign an owner declaration.

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Hayes - Petwell House

Address:
319 Station Road, South Hayes UB3 4JF
Tel: 020 8848 1818

receptionhayes@petwellhousevets.co.uk

Feltham - Animals Are Us

Address:
222 Uxbridge Road, Feltham TW13 5DL
Tel: 020 8893 7888

receptionfeltham@petwellhousevets.co.uk

If you require out of hours emergency care, please contact:

North Surrey Veterinary Emergencies
Tel: 020 8783 2850

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