Pet Travel Documents – Go Away With The Right Paperwork

Most countries require pets to be microchipped before travel. The microchip must comply with ISO 11784/11785 standards and be implanted before any rabies vaccination to be valid.

No, but many countries do. The EU, USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand all have rabies vaccination requirements. Some destinations, like the UAE and Japan, may also require additional blood tests to prove immunity.

Pet passports are no longer valid for travel from the UK to the EU or other countries. Instead, you will need an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) for travel to the EU or specific veterinary health certificates for other destinations.

Yes, most countries require a veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of departure to confirm that your pet is fit to travel and free from contagious diseases.

Yes, pets travelling internationally must go through customs clearance upon arrival. This process involves presenting all required documents, including the health certificate, vaccination records, and import permits, if applicable.

It’s recommended to start preparing your pet’s travel documents at least one to three months before departure, depending on the destination’s entry requirements. Some vaccinations and tests have waiting periods that must be met before travel.

If your pet’s documents are incorrect or missing, they could be refused entry, quarantined, or sent back to the country of departure. Ensuring all paperwork is correctly completed and up to date is essential for smooth travel.

A pet passport was previously valid for UK to EU travel but is now no longer accepted post-Brexit. Instead, UK pet owners must obtain an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) for each trip. The AHC is valid for one journey only and must be issued within 10 days of travel.