John Howe & Co

PET OWNERS WARNED TO UPDATE TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

16/08/2021

John Howe, partner at Pudsey law firm John Howe & Co, is warning owners planning to travel with their pets this summer to ensure they have the correct documentation.

Pet passports have been scrapped and replaced by Animal Health Certificates, costing £125 every time the pet travels to an EU country. They must be obtained no more than 10 days before travel and translated into the language of the country of arrival.

John Howe explains: “The pet passport scheme was simple, free and allowed unlimited travel without quarantine.

“When the Brexit transition period ended on 31st December 2020, they were no longer valid and replaced with the more complicated, more expensive Animal Health Certificates.”

The new rules state that:

Your dog, cat or ferret must be microchipped.

Your dog, cat or ferret needs to be vaccinated against rabies (NB: your pet must be at least 12 weeks old before it can be vaccinated).

You will need to wait 21 days after any primary vaccinations before you travel.

John continued: “You need an animal health certificate for your dog, cat or ferret if they’ll be travelling from the UK to an EU country. If your pet is travelling to a non-EU country, then different rules will apply.

“Only an official veterinarian can issue the certificate, and while it is valid for four months from the date you enter the country most people will need a new certificate each time they travel, adding extra costs to the journey.

“We have seen reports of people being turned away from ferry terminals because they do not have an AHC or because the vet has not completed it correctly. It is important that pet owners check out the new rules or they risk being left high and dry and unable to travel with their beloved animals.”

ENDS

NEWS RELEASE: ISSUED ON BEHALF OF John Howe & Co

CONTACT: Caroline Walker on 01325 363436

Notes to editors:

Established in 1994, John Howe & Co is a specialist and independent firm of solicitors. We offer a comprehensive range of legal advisory services to private individuals and businesses across many diverse sectors.

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John Howe’s three well-travelled dachshunds
John Howe’s three well-travelled dachshunds
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