Travelling with pets from the United Kingdom to the European Union has always been a joy for pet owners, offering a chance to explore new landscapes and cultures with their furry companions by their side. However, post-Brexit, the process of taking pets across borders has seen significant changes, particularly with the introduction of the Animal Health Certificate (AHC). Understanding the AHC, particularly in relation to rabies vaccination, is crucial for pet owners planning to travel. This blog aims to demystify the process, focusing on the rabies vaccination requirements for obtaining an AHC, ensuring your travel plans with your pets are smooth and hassle-free.

Rabies Vaccination: The Key to Your Pet’s AHC

Central to the Animal Health Certificate application is proof of rabies vaccination. Rabies, a viral disease affecting mammals, poses a significant health risk, thus its vaccination is a strict entry requirement for pets entering the EU. The vaccination must be up to date, with the vaccination certificate forming part of the AHC documentation.

Before embarking on the process of obtaining an Animal Health Certificate, it’s imperative to ensure your pet has been vaccinated against rabies. If it’s your pet’s first vaccination, a waiting period of 21 days post-vaccination is mandatory before the AHC can be issued. This waiting period ensures the vaccine has adequately stimulated your pet’s immune system. It’s important to note that the rabies vaccination is the sole vaccination required for entry into the EU, highlighting its significance in the travel documentation process.

Just to clarify, what is an Animal Health Certificate anyway?

The Animal Health Certificate is an essential document for pet owners travelling from Britain to the European Union. It has effectively replaced the old UK pet passport system, serving as a legal certification issued by an Official Veterinarian (OV). The certificate confirms that your pet, be it a dog, cat, or ferret, meets all the health requirements to enter the EU. It’s noteworthy that an AHC is mandatory unless your pet holds an EU-issued pet passport, such as those from Spain or France.

The process of obtaining an Animal Health Certificate involves your vet downloading, completing, and providing the certificate in a bilingual form. This form will be in English and the language of your EU port of entry, accommodating seamless travel into and within the EU. For instance, if your travel begins via the Eurotunnel, the certificate will be in English and French. This bilingual aspect ensures that, regardless of your final destination within the EU, your entry is facilitated without language barriers.

For detailed guidance on obtaining your AHC, Vet Home Certs offers a comprehensive service. From initial consultation to the final issuing of the certificate, their team of expert veterinarians ensures your pet’s travel documentation is in perfect order. For more information, please refer to FAQ PAGE.

For Pets with Up-to-Date Rabies Vaccination:

If your pet has already been vaccinated against rabies and the vaccine is still within its validity period, you’re a step ahead. The next move is to obtain the Animal Health Certificate. It’s advisable to review the expiry date of the current rabies vaccination. If it’s due to expire soon, consider a booster to extend the validity, as the AHC’s duration of validity is contingent upon the rabies vaccine’s expiry date. You can arrange an Animal Health Certificate through our services by using the BOOK AHC page.

The Process of Obtaining an AHC

Securing an Animal Health Certificate for your pet involves a few key steps. Initially, you will need to supply your travel plans and personal information, so that Animal Health Certificate can be created for you. You will need to visit/ or have a visit from a veterinarian who is authorised to issue these certificates – an Official Veterinarian (OV), after they have reviewed your pet’s vaccination history, and ensured all requirements are met, and then proceed to issue the AHC. The AHC is valid for 10 days after being issued so you have to enter the EU within that time frame. It is than valid for four months once in the EU  or until the rabies vaccination expires, whichever comes first. The AHC is bilingual, drafted in English and the language of your EU entry point. This dual-language document ensures smooth passage through customs and facilitates ease of travel within the EU. 

Proof of vaccination suitable for an Animal Health Certificate
You will need to provide certified documents showing your pet has a valid, in-date rabies vaccine. The easiest way to do this is to use our declaration form (see below). Accepted proof includes:

• Existing pet passport: https://www.gov.uk/take-pet-abroad/pet-passport

• Certified rabies certificate: The vet’s full name, signature, and practice stamp must be visible on the document and the SP number where applicable of an Official Veterinarian for rabies and microchip records to be certified. A validated document bears the vet’s personal name, signature, stamp and SP number. The records can therefore be authenticated with the vet’s credentials clearly indicated.
• Clinical history directly from your vet: Your pet’s Clinical Record needs to be sent via email directly by your vet for certification. Such a record should be complete with details regarding the sex, colour, breed, age, ID number, owner’s name and address amongst others. If we require clarification of any points we may contact your veterinarian. 
• Declaration from your vet – you can ask them to fill out this Microchip scanning & Rabies vaccination Certificate (Fillable PDF) – FOR VETS TO FILL

Non-certified documents like vaccine cards or receipts cannot be accepted. Accepted rabies proof documents must be certified by a vet to include signature, name, practice details and stamp. 

Common Questions and Concerns

Multiple Pets and AHC:

A common question among pet owners is whether each pet requires an individual AHC. The answer is quite accommodating: up to five pets (cats, dogs, or ferrets) can be included on a single AHC. This makes travel with multiple pets more manageable and cost-effective. However, each pet must have proof of a rabies vaccination, which must be attached to the AHC.

For those seeking a cost-effective solution for their pet’s health certification, www.vethomecerts.co.uk offers competitive pricing for AHCs. We understand the importance of budget-friendly options and strive to provide the most affordable and comprehensive services for our clients. Whether it’s your first pet or you’re adding more furry members to your travel plans, our team is here to ensure that all your needs are met efficiently and affordably.

The journey of preparing your pet for travel within the EU involves careful consideration of their health, documentation, and the regulatory requirements of your destination. 

If you have any questions please refer to our FAQ page or use our contact form to send us a message and we would be happy to help.