How to Get an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) in Cranleigh, Surrey
Pet owners across Surrey travelling to the EU must arrange an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) for their pets. This article explains how to get an Animal Health Certificate in Cranleigh, including collection point options, transport hubs, pricing, and the step-by-step booking process. By securing your AHC locally, you avoid delays and the stress of trying to collect paperwork at ports.
Meet the Local Vet: Joanna East
Joanna East graduated in 2010 and has extensive experience in small animal practice in Surrey. She has a strong focus on helping pet owners with travel documentation and previously worked alongside kennels to ensure smooth animal exports. Joanna is committed to making veterinary care accessible and affordable, and she issues AHCs at a convenient collection point in Alfold, near Cranleigh.
Collection Point in Alfold, Cranleigh
In Cranleigh, Vet Home Certs operates through a collection point service. Home visits are not available in this area, but the collection point ensures a simple and reliable handover.
At your appointment, the vet will:
- Scan and verify your pet’s microchip.
- Witness the declaration being signed by the owner (or authorised person, if arranged).
- Review the certificate with you and answer final questions before travel.
Alfold Collection Point
Location: https://w3w.co/retrieves.teaspoons.consoled (near M&S, Horsham Road, Cranleigh, GU6 8JE)
Tips for visiting this collection point:
- There is on-site parking, making it easy to bring your pet safely. Plan to arrive a few minutes early to allow time to find a spot close to the W3W location.
- The location is just outside Cranleigh village centre, close to local shops.
- Using the What3Words link ensures you arrive at the exact handover spot without confusion – use the navigation tab to find directions.
Pricing Information
Vet Home Certs offers transparent pricing for Animal Health Certificates in Surrey:
- Standard AHC: £99
Suitable for appointments requested in advance. All information and payment must be submitted more than 7 days before the appointment. Additional pets £30 each. - Urgent AHC: £199
Applicable when all information and payment is received within 7 days of the AHC appointment. Ideal for last-minute travel. Additional pets £30 each. - Repeat AHC: £89
For returning clients with unchanged details and rabies vaccination. Must be arranged more than 10 days before the appointment. Additional pets £25 each.
Maximum 5 pets per AHC. For full details, visit: https://vethomecerts.co.uk/prices/
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Get an AHC Appointment in Cranleigh, Surrey
- Check your area: Find your nearest collection point using the map on the Areas Covered page.
- Complete Stage 1 form: Submit your request via Vet Home Certs. Ensure to select your chosen collection point.
- Check your email for Stage 2 form: Arrives immediately after Stage 1. If it doesn’t arrive, check spam/junk folders.
- Vet review: The vet reviews your information and offers an appointment. The appointment is confirmed once payment is received.
- Appointment day: Bring your pet(s) to the collection point, where the vet scans microchips, witnesses the declaration, and issues your AHC ready for travel.
Transport Links & Travel Hubs Near Cranleigh, Surrey
With your Animal Health Certificate prepared in advance, you can head directly to your chosen travel hub. Below are approximate drive times from Cranleigh and may vary with traffic:
Nearest Ferry Ports
- Portsmouth International Port: Sailings to Caen, Le Havre, Santander and Bilbao. Around 1 hour from Cranleigh.
- Newhaven Port: Crossings to Dieppe with DFDS. Approximately 1 hour 5 minutes away.
- Dover Ferry Port: Services to Calais and Dunkirk. Roughly 1 hour 55 minutes drive.
- Poole Ferry Port: Routes to Cherbourg. Around 2 hours from Cranleigh.
Eurotunnel
- Folkestone Eurotunnel Le Shuttle: Direct drive-on train to Calais. Travel time from Cranleigh is about 1 hour 50 minutes.
Airports
- London Gatwick Airport (LGW): About 40 minutes from Cranleigh. Offers multiple European destinations with approved pet routes.
- London Heathrow Airport (LHR): Around 55 minutes by car. Provides many international connections for pet travel.
Important Considerations for Pet Travel
- Northern Ireland travel: If travelling only to Northern Ireland, 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 between 24-120 hours before arrival, recorded on the AHC. This must be witnessed and recorded in the AHC by a vet.
- Returning to the UK? Follow the official APHA Travel Checklist. Dogs must also receive worming treatment 24-120 hours before re-entry into the UK, witnessed and recorded in the AHC by a vet. The medication must be licensed in the country where it is administered and effective against tapeworm (Echinococcus multilocularis).
- Appointment requirements: Your pet’s microchip will be scanned at the appointment. All pets named on the certificate must attend with the owner (or authorised person).
- Authorised travel: Pets can travel with a courier or authorised person if arranged in advance. The owner and pets must reunite within 5 days of arrival in the EU, and the transporter may need to show proof. Either the owner or authorised person may sign the AHC, but this must be confirmed before the appointment.
Ready to Travel? Request Your Animal Health Certificate in Surrey Today
Travelling with your pet from Cranleigh, Surrey, can be stress free with the right documents. We recommend requesting your AHC appointment 3 to 6 weeks before travel.
Request your Animal Health Certificate appointment in Cranleigh today with Vet Home Certs