Pet Arrivals into the UK

Now you can relax, your pet had landed in the UK.

Like people, pets must go through border control and have their documentation inspected before heading home. However, this process takes longer and has more steps for your pet. Making sure your pet has everything they need for arrival in the UK before setting off on your trip, is important so that everything runs smoothly when they land.

Here at Travel Vet, we can help ensure your pet and their necessary travel documents are fully prepared for outbound and return journeys.

We will also provide any required support to your pet on arrival in the UK – Travel Vet is the Official Nominated Vet Practice for Heathrow Animal Reception Centre (HARC) – as seen on TV, Animal Aircare Heathrow and Airpets Heathrow. We are on call 24/7 for these services and can provide veterinary care at a moment’s notice.

 

Contact us for more information

 

Arriving in the UK with Pets

Entry requirements and documents

Requirements for pets returning to the UK will depend on the country they have travelled from. You will need one of the following documents to enter Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland) with a pet:

• a pet passport, if you’re travelling from a ‘Part 1’ listed country, or if it was issued in Great Britain before 1 January 2021
• an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) issued in Great Britain – valid up to 4 months after it was issued
• a Great Britain pet health certificate, if you’re travelling from a ‘Part 2’ or ‘not listed’ country, or a ‘Part 1’ country that does not issue pet passports

You can check the country you’re travelling from to see if it’s Part 1, Part 2, or not listed.

Your pet will not need this documentation if it’s entering Great Britain from:

• Northern Ireland
• the Channel Islands
• the Isle of Man

You must bring originals of all your pet’s documents, not photocopies.

Dogs will need tapeworm treatment at least 24 hours prior to entering the UK but no longer than 120 hours (5 days) before they return to the UK, from any country.

You can find some more helpful information here: Bringing your pet dog, cat or ferret to Great Britain

 

Landing at Heathrow

All pets arriving in the United Kingdom must go through an official live animal Border Inspection Post (BIP) to receive official approval when they land.

For pets arriving at Heathrow, they will be taken to Heathrow Animal Reception Centre (HARC), Animal Aircare Heathrow or Airpets Heathrow. As the official nominated vet practice for all three reception centres at Heathrow, we are on call 24/7 and can provide pet arrivals with veterinary care at a moment’s notice.

 

Pet care & checks on arrival

Upon arrival at one of Heathrow Airport’s reception centres, your pet will be released from their travel kennel into a pen with an outdoor run and indoor sleeping area; food and water will be offered. If your pet requires veterinary treatment during this time, the reception centre may request that Travel Vet attend to examine your pet to make sure they are healthy and well. If you require a visit to your pet during this time to administer essential medication for a pre-existing medical condition e.g. diabetes, epilepsy, then this can be pre-arranged with us.

The reception centre will also check your pet’s paperwork to ensure everything complies with regulations regarding the movement of animals. They aim to have pet arrivals ready to be collected by their owner within six to eight hours of arrival. Some pet shipping agents have Airport Pet Lounges where owners and their pets can be reunited after a long flight once all their pet’s checks have been carried out. We can discuss these options with you.

Call us on 01753 316081