Pet Travel | Animal Health Certificate | London Vet Clinic : London Vet Clinic

PET HEALTH CERTIFICATE FOR THE EU, SWITZERLAND, NORWAY, and NORTHERN IRELAND

Because we are in the heart of London we probably issue as many ‘Animal Health Certificates’ for pets travelling abroad as any vet clinic in the UK. New regulations are tedious, time consuming and costly but once we have the necessary information the rest is just bureaucracy.

Old UK Pet Passports no longer recognised

The EU no longer recognizes the UKs previously issued blue pet passports.

There are no health and safety changes to taking your dog or cat to the EU, Switzerland or Norway (and now also to Northern Ireland) but there is time consuming information collecting before we can provide you with the new 12-page Animal Health Certificate (AHC).

Each AHC has a unique number and can’t be used again. A new AHC is required for each visit to the EU. The AHC is used for your pet’s return to the UK (or, if your old UK Pet Passport is still ‘in date’ it can be used for re-entry.

Planning your pet’s visit abroad

If you plan to visit the continent with your pet, please tell us at least 10 working days before doing so by emailing nurses@londonvetclinic.co.uk . We will email back a detailed questionnaire for you to complete.

As before, your pet must be microchipped and have an up-to-date rabies inoculation. (The vaccine we use is ‘in date’ for three years from the time it’s given.) And as before your dog must visit a vet on the continent between one and five days before returning, to be given a worming pill. (This isn’t needed for returning cats.)

There are no travel restrictions between the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man.

Your pet may qualify for an EU Pet Passport

If you have a residential address in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, or Northern Ireland and live there for 3 months you can apply in the country of that residence for a Pet Passport.

Ask your local vet to complete an EU Pet Passport for your companion. (In some countries vets have blank passports and in others they have to obtain the blank copy from the local municipal office. All the details the local vet needs are in your AHC

If a vet is issuing a new EU Pet Passport it will not be valid until three weeks after your pet is rabies vaccinated by an EU vet and the passport is completed. Use the AHC we give you when you return to the UK. Your new EU issued Pet Passport can then be used for future visits to the EU, Switzerland, Norway and Northern Ireland.

We use MSD Nobivac rabies vaccine recognised in the UK as effective for three years. Ask your local vet to inoculate with a vaccine that is also effective for three years. Please be aware that although the manufacturer guarantees MSD Nobivac vaccine for three years, some countries require yearly rabies vaccination. Your pet’s EU Pet Passport must comply with that country’s regulations.

We know that EU vets sometimes make mistakes when completing EU Pet Passports. We are sorry but we have no control over how they complete Pet Passports, and we can’t rectify any mistakes that they make. A common mistake is not recording the microchip implant date as before or at the latest the same day as the rabies vaccination. Another common mistake is not accurately entering the rabies vaccination information that is in your Animal Health Certificate or not recording it at all.

If you have obtained an EU Pet Passport for your pet, a veterinarian in Europe must record any future rabies vaccinations in the Pet Passport to continue its validity. GB veterinarians are no longer permitted to record rabies vaccination details in an EU Pet Passport, but vets in Northern Ireland are.

PET HEALTH CERTIFICATES FOR VISITING OTHER COUNTRIES

Each country has its own pet health requirements. The minimum in all countries is microchip identification and rabies inoculation. Some countries require tapeworm treatment (as the UK, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Finland, Norway, and Malta do) before entry. Others, for example Japan and Australia, require blood tests for certain animal diseases. In the United States, animal health regulations are State matters and because State officials are not at international airports they are often not enforced. However please check what the State regulations are and let us know. You are responsible for meeting the regulations of the State you land in, not the State you live in.

If you are travelling with your pet to any country outside the EU please visit https://www.gov.uk/taking-your-pet-abroad/travelling-to-a-noneu-country for advice. Once you have that advice, contact nurses@londonvetclinic.co.uk and tell us where you are going and what you need. Countries frequently change their import regulations so please get advice from the UK government or the country you are visiting. If you ask us what the specific import regulations are regrettably, we simply won’t know.

Once you tell us where your pet is travelling and send up a copy of that country’s import requirements, we can direct you to the UK government website where you apply for an Export Health Certificate (EHC) specific for the country in question. Unfortunately, we are not allowed to apply for an EHC on your behalf.

All the vets at the London Vet Clinic are ‘Official Veterinarians’ and can access and print your EHC and legally sign it on the UK government’s behalf.

Reviews

“Bruce Fogle and his excellent team have always gone above and beyond to care for my bouncy Betty. There have been some pretty hairy situations (including what turned out to be a swallowed ball) - and somehow the team remain calm, professional, and deliver the best care. The team have excellent bedside manner - explaining everything in clear detail whilst holding my hand and Betty's paw. I'm forever grateful.

Alice B-B

“Our dogs adore going to the vet so much it's almost ridiculous, invariably starting to squeal with excitement at any sign we're turning towards Marylebone and, on arrival, ejecting themselves from the car and dragging us through the door in their hurry to be fussed over by the lovely nurses. Bruce has been our vet since the day we brought our first puppy home in 2006. Together with the other fabulous vets, nurses, and staff at 86 York Street, they've seen our pets through it all, from their very first checks to the sad day when they've needed to be ushered kindly and gently out of pain. Over the years, they've removed a hiking sock from a dog's intestines, dealt with kennel cough, clipped nails, diagnosed giardia, cured a hamster's sniffles, sutured paws, spayed and neutered, referred to specialist vets when necessary, and helped us survive a phantom pregnancy. When one of our dogs was really ill, Helen was an absolute star, not only providing comfort and advice but moving heaven and earth to source a hard-to-get medication for her. And that's not even mentioning the routine stuff—dispensing behavioural guidance, worming tablets, vaccines, and dietary advice, all with empathy, calm professionalism, and good humour. London Vet Clinic is one of the few true, old-fashioned, independent vet practices left in London,and we're incredibly grateful to have our pets in their safe hands.

Jessica

stars

“Our Jack Russell puppy, Louis, had been quite unwell which led us needing to take several visits to the vet, often in quite fraught circumstances. The London Vet Clinic were always able to accommodate us, even at short notice putting our minds more at ease. The whole team there from the vets, nurses and receptionists were amazing and showed genuine care and concern for Louis. We always felt more at ease when we were there and knew that Louis was receiving the best care possible. Even under quite unpleasant circumstances, Louis learnt to associate the vet as a happy and positive place and whenever we go there now is always excited to see everyone. We couldn’t have made it through this tricky period without them. We are so lucky to have access to such an amazing team of people!

Louis

“I love the London Vet Clinic - everyone is always so lovely and accommodating. You can tell they really love animals which is very reassuring when you have to leave your pets in their care.

MSG

stars

“My Pug Queenie has been seen by a number of the Vets at the London Vet clinic, all were brilliant, they thoroughly explained all of the procedures that my dog would be having. I’m a first-time pug owner and I have very much appreciated all their help. Queenie’s had her spay & Boas surgery here. Jo was fantastic, she did the Boas, which has been highly successful, Queenie’s been coping well with the extreme heat we have been having. Highly recommended!

Queenie

stars

“Always friendly and super patient. Always willing to help, and willing to take the extra mile. Never over charge for anything. Very understanding and always shows support. Love the fact london vet clinic is involving animals charity works too.

Julie

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“Chop is our English Bulldog and she is quite lazy, but she is always enthusiastic to come along to see everyone at The London Veterinary Medicine Clinic as they are all so kind and make anything she needs doing an easy task. The Clinic keeps us informed of all the things we need to do to keep our dog healthy and when, in the past, she has had medical procedures, talk us through the options best for her. Thank you for your help!

Terry Newman

stars

“Well Jane and I have just left the vet today after bringing in our beautiful boy Bruno (a very naughty Jack Russell) Yet again we walked away saying how amazing these guys are at the London Vet Clinic. Generally Helen looks after our boy but everybody there is absolutely lovely. They all seem to be in the right job !! Caring, talented, sincere, friendly, knowledgeable and trustworthy. We are always happy to leave our wonderful dog there to be looked after.. actually last year he was really poorly with Gastroenteritis and they literally saved his life. Thank you all so much…Adam & Jane xx

Adam & Jane E

stars

“The best vet I have ever been. The staff are so nice and attentive. My dog loves going there, whichever of the doctors or the nurses are on duty the atmosphere is always so welcoming and nice. Next year will be my 10th year as a client.

Jenny P

stars

“We were so lucky to have been given London Vetinary Clinic as a recommendation when our first dog was a puppy and since then we have never been disappointed with the care and attention to detail we have received from all the vets there. They have always given us the most upfront advice and options when it comes to big decisions with our dogs health. Never forced views or treatments but given us all the options. It feels like you’re walking in to a practise that is welcoming and caring, a real family feel whenever we have visited. They have always helped immensely and quickly when it comes to insurance claims and travel documents which can be baffling. Because we’ve had such positive experiences and care we have them Reccomended many friends too who are now also patients. We feel very lucky to have such great vets if and when we need them. Thank you all x

Hayley Sessel & Syril

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