Changes to pet travel bring disruption and opportunity

There were many changes to our lives in 2020. One of the largely over-looked aspects of Brexit was the change to pet travel rules, and final arrangements were only announced weeks before the transition period expired.

The UK has been given Part 2 Listed status by the European Union (EU), which means that pet passports are no longer valid for travel to EU countries. However, it does mean that rabies blood tests are not required. Current requirements for dogs, cats and ferrets travelling within the EU and listed non-EU countries are:

The AHCs are issued in English and the language of the country in which they will first enter the EU. Travel must take place within 10 days of issue. In a similar way to the pet passport, the AHC must contain details of rabies vaccination, microchipping and, if required, tapeworm treatment. However, unlike a pet passport, a new AHC is required every time a pet travels to the EU and is valid for 4 months for onward travel in the EU or for return to the UK. AHCs will also now be required for travel from Britain to Northern Ireland, creating a potential pet travel barrier between these parts of the UK for the first time. Each AHC requires a unique identification code and these need to be ordered in advance from the government website GOV.UK website. It is important that veterinary practices are prepared for a sudden rise in pet owners wanting to travel once COVID-19 restrictions are relaxed.