Frequently Asked Questions.
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What is an Animal Health Certificate (AHC)?
An animal health certificate (AHC) is the document required to travel with your dog/cat/ferret to Europe/Northern Ireland, to prove your pet meets travel requirements such as rabies vaccination and tapeworm treatment. They also confirm that you are the owner and that the trip is for non-commercial.
How much does an AHC cost?
Our standard service is £99 for the first pet, additional pets added to the certificate are £25 per pet.
Urgent AHCs (less than 7 days notice) are £149 plus £45 pet additional pet, provided we have availability.
We are able to charge less than other vets as our overheads are less. We do not have staff available to answer phones etc so we are able to keep costs down, we prefer contact via email/text in order to keep our prices low.
We offer discount to repeat customers ( repeat customers from £69).
What documents are needed for an AHC?
A certified document to show that your pet has a valid, up to date rabies vaccination and written confirmation that your pet's microchip was scanned and verified by a veterinary surgeon at the time of vaccination. This can be via a rabies vaccination and microchip reading certificate (we can provide a template for your vet to fill in), an existing pet passport or by your pets medical records, which must be emailed directly to us from your vet. We don’t need the full history – just the microchip and vaccination history, it must include your details and your pets details – colour/sex/breed/DOB/microchip number.
How long is an AHC valid for?
An AHC is valid to enter the EU and Northern Ireland for up to 10 days from the date of issue (collection date), date of issue is classed as day 1. An AHC is valid for single entry to EU/NI and cannot be reused. Once a pet has entered the EU, it is valid for 4 months, provided that the rabies vaccination is valid. Once a pet exists the EU a new animal health certificate is required to re-enter the EU.
How many pets can be included on an AHC?
You can have a maximum of 5 pets on an AHC, they must be owned by the same person and must be travelling together. It can be a combination of dogs/cats/ferrets but no more than 5 pets. If several owners are travelling together as a group, each owner will require a separate AHC for their pet(s). Please note that more than 5 pets are not allowed in a vehicle unless it is a specially adapted vehicle.
Can someone else collect the AHC?
The owner must collect the AHC as it is their name on the AHC and they must sign the declaration. It is possible for a friend or family member to transport the pet on the owner’s behalf as long as they will be reunited with the owner within 5 days of travel. The AHC needs to be completed differently, contact us for more information.
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Can you post my AHC?
It is not allowed; we need to see your pet to scan and check the identification with the AHC. We must also witness the owner sign the owner’s declaration part of the certificate and see the original proof of rabies vaccination.
Where do I collect my AHC?
Collection is usually from our office near Shipley, West Yorkshire, but collection can sometimes be arranged from other points.
How soon after having a rabies vaccination can my pet travel?
If it is your pets first rabies vaccination or previous rabies vaccinations have lapsed, then an AHC cannot be issued until 21 days have elapsed, the date of giving the vaccine is classed as day 0.
Do I need to enter the EU via a specific port?
The AHC needs to be completed in English and the language of the country where you will enter the EU e.g. If you are travelling to Germany but will enter the EU via France, the AHC needs to be in English and German.
You will need to enter the EU via a specific Travellers point of Entry (TPE).
