Your dog does not require a veterinary health certificate to enter the United States. All airlines ask for a veterinary examination and ‘fit to fly’ Veterinary Health Certificate, between one and 10 days before the flight. Please check the time window with the airline you are using.
If flying to the US via a Canadian airport such as Montreal, Toronto or Vancouver your pet must conform to Canada’s entry requirements. It must be microchipped for accurate identification and vaccinated against rabies at least 30 days before travel. Your pet needs a Health Certificate stating it is free from signs of infectious or contagious disease and is fit to travel. The UK’s Animal & Plant Health Agency (APHA) recommends that pets travelling to Canada have an Export Health Certificate (EHC). We can provide you with these documents.
Air Canada and some American airlines allow small dogs and cats to travel in the passenger section, in carriers that fit under the seat in front of you. Check with your airline to find out if this is permitted.
Many European airlines allow dogs and cats to accompany you in the passenger section of the plane. Regulations and individual airline policies may change. Please contact your airline well in advance, to confirm that the airline meets your expectations regarding travelling with your pet. If you plan to fly to the United States on a European airline such as Air France or KLM, through a European airport, please complete the EU’s AHC application. This contains the rabies vaccination certificate required for the onward arrival in the United States. When your pet enters the USA this way it is doing so not from the UK but from your EU departure airport. It’s your responsibility to check on the US import requirements from your EU departure country.
https://www.cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-united-states/
Please complete a Fit to Fly application. This can be used for your flight to Europe and the onward continuing flight to the United States. (Please note that anticipated high temperature at the American arrival airport can interfere with pet travel).
As present, the Queen Mary 2 allows dogs to travel with passengers from Southampton to New York. Please check with Cunard about kennel availability and restrictions. Please send us your pet’s rabies vaccination certificate and complete a Fit to Travel application form.
Both the United States and Canada are designated “Listed Countries” by DEFRA. That means to return to the UK, dogs and cats need to be microchipped, treated for parasites, be healthy and fit to travel and have valid rabies vaccinations. The rabies vaccination certificate we give you for your pet’s outward journey from the UK has an ‘expiry date’ for its rabies vaccination. If you are returning to the UK after the vaccine’s expiry date, have your pet revaccinated. Your pet will not be allowed to enter or re-enter the UK until 31 days after the date of revaccination.
To return to the United Kingdom from the USA or Canada you will need to apply to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) or Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) for a GB import certificate. Speak with your American or Canadian veterinarian who will assist you.
We do not have a preferred shipper. Our clients have used these shippers.
An AHC is valid only in the EU and only for one visit. If you are travelling onwards to the US we will provide you with a Rabies Vaccination Certificate and a Fit to Fly Certificate. To return from the US to the UK your dog will need a GB import certificate issued by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Your American vet can help you get one.
Rabies vaccination is mandatory. If a dog is not vaccinated it cannot be given travel documents.
Once you have booked an appointment with the clinic for a travel appointment it means that we have reserved a time in our schedule exclusively for you and your pet.
For Canada and Mexico, after completing the travel questionnaire and confirming your appointment we fill ask for payment then apply to the APHA for certification for your companion, and complete the APHA’s data requirements for your travel. if you change who will be travelling with your pet after that, and we must amend the completed application, you will be charged an additional 50% of the AHC fee.
If you change your travel destination country on the day of your appointment, there is an additional 100% of the fee charge.
If you need to cancel your appointment less than 24 hours before it is scheduled to take place, you will be subject to the full cost of the visit.
Some cats vocalise a little but most settle down very well and go to sleep.
Dogs are much the same. There are several organic calming supplements which you may want to try including Calmex and Zylkene. If you prefer homeopathic remedies we are familiar with people using Bach Flower Rescue Remedy. We do not recommend using prescription sedatives simply because of the risk of an adverse reaction without immediate access to veterinary advice.
Dogs and cats must be microchipped and 12 weeks of age or over when given their rabies vaccination. Then there is a required minimum 30 day period for the vaccine to actively produce protecting antibodies. That means that puppies and kittens must be over 15 weeks of age to meet the health requirements to enter the UK.
We can provide you with an AHC to enter France, a certified rabies vaccination certificate and a ‘Fit to Fly’ certificate for your airline.
We are unable to advise you about the USA’s requirement for pets arriving from France.
The AHC is valid for travel in the EU. Travelling on to the US invalidates the AHC for return to the UK. If you are returning to the UK from France, you need to arrange for a new AHC issued by a French veterinarian.
Your US veterinarian will advise you on the specific import requirements of the EU country you arrive in. Your US vet will advise you on how to apply to the USDA for a GB import certificate.
The APHA recommends that pets travelling to Canada do so accompanied by an Export Health Certificate (EHC) The EHC includes a certified rabies vaccination certificate. To avoid unexpected entry problems/charges this is what we recommend.
Some clients tell us that they have taken their pets from the UK to Canada accompanied by a valid rabies vaccination certificate and a ‘Fit to Fly’ certificate both of which we can complete. If you have spoken with the relevant Canadian authorities and are happy to travel with these documents we are happy to help.
Please book a telephone consultation with one of our OVs. Export telephone/video consultations are 20 minutes and are charged at £90. Payment will be requested prior to your consultation.
Such kind and caring attentive and speedy doctors and nurses. As my first time seeing a vet in the UK i feel great relief and gratitude.
Super friendly team and very pro. We’ve met several of the vets there and always felt our dog was in good hands. They are very accommodating.
Dennis B
Best vets in London! Super friendly and knowledgeable, our dog always loves going even when she’s unwell, which I take as a good sign!
Christina Rhodes
Bruce Fogle and his team are amazing vets. Have been able to diagnose even esoteric problems like our Westie who delveloped tremors (temporarily) after eating ivy…. and providing very compassionate care when we have had to say good bye to our beloved friend. Absolutely the best.
When we had to let our beautiful dog Jazz go, the care & compassion shown by everyone at this clinic was beyond amazing. I will be forever grateful for the care they gave to Jazz for nearly 15 years. Highly recommend this practice
In my view leaders in their profession. They are highly skilled, caring, understanding and efficient. They gave repeated support during our dog’s recent illness, although, at her age of 14, it was terminal
John Fenner
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