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Pennard Vets

Travelling abroad

Travelling abroad: Brexit changes and Animal Health Certificates (Pet Passports)

Travelling abroad with your pet can be exciting, and in many instances of course, necessary.

But the fact is that there are lots of things to check off to make sure your pet is both safe and legally compliant before you start your journey.

It may seem like a daunting and confusing prospect to line up all of your documentation, but rest assured that we’re here to talk you through the process and to point you in the right direction – as well as providing any veterinary services that are required prior to departure.

Pet travel to the EU changed after Brexit

When Britain was a member of the EU, the pet passport system controlled how and when your pet could travel around European member states. Since Brexit, this has been replaced by a new set of requirements, including a document called an animal health certificate (AHC).

To receive an AHC your pet must be seen by a vet who is registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency – a service we can provide at all of our branches – and:

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    Be microchipped
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    Be vaccinated for rabies a minimum of 21 days prior to travel
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    Be a minimum of 12 weeks old

The AHC is only valid for one journey, and must be used within 10 days of being issued.

Once you have entered the EU or Northern Ireland, it is valid for four months, or until your pet’s rabies vaccine expires. It can only be used for onward travel within the EU, or to return to the UK within four months.

If returning to the UK from the EU or Northern Ireland with a dog, they must receive tapeworm treatment within five days from a vet, and to have a certificate to show this.

If you have any questions please speak to your vet, and we will be happy to help you organise the correct paperwork.

Featured Team Member

Available Practices

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    Sevenoaks
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    Tonbridge
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    Maidstone
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    Allington
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    Borough Green
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    Langley Park
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    West Malling
Within Pennard Vets, we are delighted to be able to offer travelling abroad at the above branches. We appreciate that this might mean a journey from your usual site but we can assure you the level of service is just the same and the team will be delighted to look after you.

What we’re talking about

Travelling with your pet outside the EU

Travelling with your pet to countries outside of the EU is very much determined by the laws of each individual country, and the amount of preparation you need to put in before your journey can vary.

Learning the rules of each country is something that is much easier with the aid of the internet! As always, our vets are happy to assist where possible.

You will also need to fill out an export health certificate, which is completed with your vet along with an export application. You can learn more about these, and all aspects of travelling with pets, on the Government website.

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All members of our Pet Health Club get 10% off dental procedures

All members of our Pet Health Club get 10% off dental procedures

Pet Health Club

Would you like the peace of mind that you are doing the right thing for your pet?

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    Unlimited Vet and Nurse Consultations
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    Core Vaccinations as recommended for your pet’s age
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    Routine flea and worm control, as recommended by us
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    Unlimited nail clips and anal gland checks as advised
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    Annual senior blood and urine tests plus blood pressure check

Pet Health Club

Would you like the peace of mind that you are doing the right thing for your pet?

  • green check
    Unlimited Vet and Nurse Consultations
  • green check
    Core Vaccinations as recommended for your pet’s age
  • green check
    Routine flea and worm control, as recommended by us
  • green check
    Unlimited nail clips and anal gland checks as advised
  • green check
    Annual senior blood and urine tests plus blood pressure check

Our Services include

Small animals only

Small animals only

cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs etc

Diagnostic imaging

Diagnostic imaging

Dental services

Dental services

Pet passports

Pet passports

24-Hour Emergency

24-Hour Emergency

Care and hospitalisation

Vet and nurse consultations

Vet and nurse consultations

FREE puppy parties

FREE puppy parties

held by our qualified nurses

Pet Health Club

Pet Health Club

Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy

Access to expert referrals

Access to expert referrals

Nurse Clinics

Nurse Clinics

Surgical services

Surgical services

Microchipping

Microchipping

Laboratory services

Laboratory services

Animal Health Certificate

Animal Health Certificate

Euthanasia services

Euthanasia services

Cattery

Cattery

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