How to Get an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) in Bristol & Bath
If you’re travelling with your pet from Bristol or Bath to the EU, you’ll need an Animal Health Certificate (AHC). This guide explains how to arrange an AHC in Bristol & Bath, including home visit and collection options, pricing, transport hubs, and a step-by-step process to make it simple and cost effective. By having your certificate issued locally, you can avoid stress at the port and travel with confidence.
Meet the Local Vet: Harry Xenofontos
Harry graduated from AUTH Thessaloniki in 2017 and has been practising in the UK since 2019. He works as a veterinary surgeon in first opinion practice and also has experience as an Emergency Critical Care locum vet. Harry is passionate about supporting pet owners with travel documentation and has issued many Animal Health Certificates. Home visits are available across the Bristol and Bath area. A collection point service is also available in Bristol, making the process easy and accessible.
Home Visit & Collection Point Options in Bristol & Bath
In the Bristol & Bath area, Vet Home Certs offers both home visits and a collection point service.
During every appointment, whether at your home or the collection point, the vet will:
- Scan and verify your pet’s microchip.
- Witness the owner signing the declaration page.
- Review the certificate with you and answer last minute questions.
Home Visits in Bristol & Bath
Home visits are available in the Bristol & Bath area. Please refer to the map on the Areas Covered page on the Vet Home Certs website to confirm if your address is included.
Bristol Collection Point
Location: https://w3w.co/camera.trendy.nature (Near 114 Lynton Road, Bristol, BS3 5LP).
Tips for visiting this collection point:
- Residential street location with easy parking nearby. Arrive a few minutes early to find a parking spot.
- Use the What3Words link for precise directions to the handover spot. Using the navigation tab offers options such as Google Maps for directions.
Pricing Information
Vet Home Certs offers three simple pricing options in Bristol & Bath:
- Standard AHC: £99
Available when confirmed more than 7 days before an appointment date. Additional pets £30 each. - Urgent AHC: £199
For short notice requests. Applicable when confirmed within 7 days of an appointment date. Additional pets £30 each. - Repeat AHC: £89
For returning clients using the same vet within the network with unchanged details and rabies vaccination. Must be confirmed more than 10 days in advance of the appointment date. Additional pets £25 each.
Up to 5 pets on one AHC. For full details, visit: https://vethomecerts.co.uk/prices/
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Get an AHC Appointment in Bristol & Bath
- Check your area: Confirm home visit eligibility or find the Bristol collection point using the map on the Areas Covered page.
- Complete Stage 1 form: Submit your appointment request via Vet Home Certs, selecting the Bristol & Bath vet.
- Complete Stage 2 form: Arrives by email immediately. Check spam/junk if it doesn’t arrive.
- Vet review: The vet reviews your information and arranges the appointment. The appointment is confirmed once payment is received.
- Appointment day: The vet meets you and your pet(s) at your home or the Bristol collection point to issue your Animal Health Certificate. The AHC is valid for travel straight away.
Transport Links & Travel Hubs Near Bristol & Bath
Having your Animal Health Certificate ready before travelling ensures smooth onward journeys. Below are approximate driving times from Bristol and may vary with traffic:
Nearest Ferry Ports
- Portsmouth International Port: Crossings to Caen, Le Havre, Santander and Bilbao. Around 2 hours by road from Bristol.
- Poole Ferry Port: Services to Cherbourg. Travel time from Bristol is roughly 2 hours 10 minutes.
- Plymouth Ferry Port: Routes to Roscoff and Santander. Approximately 2 hours 15 minutes journey time from Bristol.
- Dover Ferry Port: Connections to Calais and Dunkirk. Travel time from Bristol is roughly 3 hours 30 minutes.
Eurotunnel
- Folkestone Eurotunnel Le Shuttle: Direct drive-on train to Calais. Travel time from Bristol is about 3 hours 15 minutes.
Airports
- Bristol Airport (BRS): Travel time of just 20-30 minutes from central Bristol. Offers multiple European destinations with pet travel options (depending on airline).
- London Heathrow (LHR): Around 2 hours journey time from Bristol. Extensive international connections, including EU routes that allow pet travel.
Important Considerations for Pet Travel
- Northern Ireland travel: If travelling to Northern Ireland only, you must apply for a Northern Ireland Pet Travel Document. For onward EU travel, an AHC is still required.
- Dogs and worming treatment: Dogs travelling to Ireland, Norway, Finland, Malta or Northern Ireland need worming treatment 24-120 hours before arrival. This should be witnessed and recorded in the AHC by a vet.
- Returning to the UK? Follow the APHA Travel Checklist when returning to the UK with pets.
- Dogs must also be wormed 24-120 hours before re-entry and this must be recorded in the AHC by a vet. Treatment must be licensed in the country where it is given and effective against tapeworm (Echinococcus multilocularis).
- Appointment requirements: Your pet’s microchip will be scanned and verified at the appointment and the owner must sign the AHC. The owner and all pets named on the certificate must attend.
- Authorised travel: Pets may travel with a courier or authorised person; the AHC can be prepared accordingly if prior notice is given. The owner and pet must reunite within 5 days of arrival. Either the owner or authorised person may sign the AHC; this must be confirmed before the appointment.
Ready to Travel? Request Your Animal Health Certificate in Bristol & Bath Today
Travelling with your pet from Bristol or Bath can be stress free with the right paperwork. We recommend booking your appointment 3 to 6 weeks before travel.
Request your Animal Health Certificate appointment in Bristol & Bath today with Vet Home Certs