Pet travel services in Daventry
At Daventry Vets, we have the necessary qualifications to issue Animal Health Certificates for pet travel to the EU and Northern Ireland. We recommend giving yourself plenty of time to research what you need to organise before you plan to travel abroad with your pet as it can be quite complicated! Contact us for more advice on when to book a Pet Travel Appointment. Please note, Animal health certificate and rabies vaccine appointments cannot be booked via PetsApp.
What does my pet need to travel abroad?
Ahead of being able to organise an Animal Health Certificate (AHC), your pet will need to be microchipped. Our team can microchip your pet during an ordinary consultation – book your pet’s microchipping appointment today.
Your pet will also require a rabies vaccination at least 21 days before travel and when your pet is at least 12 weeks of age. This is a separate vaccination to your pet’s usual booster vaccinations and cannot be given within 2 weeks of some of your pet’s usual vaccines.
Your pet (dogs only) will require Tapeworm treatment if travelling directly to Finland, Ireland, Malta or Norway and before their return the UK; this needs to be authorised by a vet and given within specific time frames.
The AHC needs to be issued no more than 10 days before travel.
You are no longer able to use a Pet Passport unless it was issued in the EU or Northern Ireland and you are a permanent resident of an EU country or Northern Ireland.
To bring a dog, cat, or ferret from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, pet owners will need a free Northern Ireland Pet Travel Document (PTD). The PTD, which lasts for the pet’s lifetime, will be checked at the port or airport along with the pet’s microchip. No rabies vaccinations or tapeworm treatment are required if you have a PTD.
Key points for residents of Great Britain:
- Apply for PTD: You can apply to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).
- Check PTD and Microchip:The PTD and microchip will be checked at the port or airport.
- Inform DAERA of your dates of travel at least 10 days before travel (only if travelling by air) daeratradeimports@daera-ni.gov.uk
- Declaration: You must declare that you will not travel onwards to Ireland or another EU country with your pet.
- PTD Requirement: From June 4, 2025, a Northern Ireland Pet Travel Document (PTD) is mandatory.
- Microchipping: Pets must be microchipped. Book an appointment to check your pet’s microchip information is up to date.
- No Rabies or Tapeworm Treatment: Rabies vaccinations and tapeworm treatment are not required with a PTD.
- If travelling on to Republic of Ireland: You will need an AHC as detailed above for entry to the EU
Official guidance for pets travelling abroad
The rules for pets travelling abroad can often change. Depending on the country you are travelling to, you will either need an AHC, or an Export Health Certificate for those pets travelling further afield. We do not issue export certificates but are happy to work with companies to do any testing and parasite treatment required before the final export certificate is completed by them. We have successfully worked with Airpets.
We highly recommend you plan ahead and begin the process at least 2 months before you intend to travel; longer will be needed for some non-EU countries.
We also recommend contacting the Pet Travel Scheme helpline or visiting the government website to obtain the most up to date information on the countries you plan to visit.
Pet Travel help:
Web link: https://www.gov.uk/taking-your-pet-abroad/help-and-support
Telephone: 03000 200 301
Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm (closed on bank holidays)
