Does your pet give you that mournful brown eye expression when you go out, or heaven forbid, when you go on holiday?
When I first started working as a vet on Pont Street, Knightsbridge, I saw how absolutely brilliant pets are at getting what they want. Fifty six years later I continue to marvel at what putty we are in our pets’ paws. Pets are so much easier than humans. Uncomplicated. Totally honest. Immutable. Never changing. So we cater to their needs and more than ever before we take them with us on our summer holidays.
Holidays in the UK are relatively easy but taking your pet to the EU, Switzerland or Norway still involves time consuming information collecting before one of us vets at York Street can provide you with the 12-page Animal Health Certificate (AHC). (Stephen, Adam, Paloma and Bruce are all “Official Veterinarians” or “OVs” and are legally allowed to complete documents on behalf of DEFRA, the Department of the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs.)
As a reminder, your pet must be microchipped then vaccinated against rabies at least three weeks before entering the EU. Each AHC is valid for up to four months abroad. A new AHC is required each time your pet travels.
Some of you have EU issued pet passports for your pets but from April, 2026 most of these were no longer valid. The Entry Exit Scheme (EES) for us means it is possible for the EU to see digitally is you are a visitor to the EU or a recognised resident. Visitors’ pets, and that means almost all pets from the UK, need AHCs for each visit. It’s worth repeating that Pet Passports pets that you presently hold are no longer valid. If you hold official residency in an EU country, for example France’s Carte de resident have that document with you when you travel. If you have a legal right to stay in an EU country, for example France’s Carte de séjour, check with the relevant country whether the right to stay classifies you as a resident, now needed if you want to continue using your pet’s EU issued pet passport. If you have any doubt, please obtain an AHC before your next visit to the EU.
If you are planning to travel simply click here and answer all the questions. We’ll take it from there but first, a few suggestions. Dogs must be given a worming tablet between one and five days before re-entering the UK. We strongly recommend that your dog wears tick protection when visiting the countryside outside the UK.
Cats prefer staying home
On behalf of cats, unless you’re moving abroad, don’t take them. It’s the rare cat that enjoys travel. Arrange daily visits by someone to give tickles, clean the litter tray, hoover up the spare hair and offer fresh food and drink.
A rabies antibody test is required by some countries
If you are travelling with your pet to any country outside the EU, including Turkey, check here for advice. We are very experienced with pet travel and will advise you, depending on where you are travelling to, whether or not you should use a professional pet transport broker.