Travelling with your cat

TRAVELLING WITH YOUR CAT FROM JANUARY 1st, 2021

 

To make sure your pet is able to travel from the UK to the EU after 1st January 2021, you should contact the clinic at least one month prior to travel.

 

RULES FOR PET TRAVEL to the EU

The rules for taking your pet to any EU country have changed as the UK becomes a part 2 listed country on January 1st, 2021.

You must get your cat microchipped and then vaccinated against rabies and an Animal Health Certificate issued in both English and the language of your destination. Previously issued UK pet passports will no longer be valid for travel into the EU.

EU-issued and UK-issued pet passports, however, will remain valid for entering and re-entering the UK.

To take your cat to an EU country:

  1. You must get your cat microchipped and then vaccinated against rabies before it can travel. Your cat must be older than 12 weeks.
  2. You must wait for at least 21 days after the vaccination before travelling.
  3. You must take your cat to an Official Veterinarian no more than 10 days before travel, in order to get an Animal Health Certificate.

Your Animal Health Certificate will then be valid for:

  • 10 days after the date of issue for entry into the EU
  • 4 months of onward travel within the EU
  • re-entry to the UK for 4 months after the date of issue

The previously mentioned blood test will no longer be a requirement as the UK has not become an unlisted country. This change was made public on December 14th, 2020.

On arrival in the EU, pet owners travelling with their pets would be required to enter through a designated Travellers’ Point of Entry (TPE). At the TPE, the pet owner may be asked to present proof of microchip, rabies vaccination alongside the pet’s health certificate

RETURN TO THE UK

Your cat must have one of the following documents when returning to the UK:

  • an existing EU pet passport (UK or EU issued)
    or
  • the EU health certificate issued in the UK used to travel to the EU
    or
  • a UK pet health certificate (issued outside the UK for travel into the UK only)

Check the routes before you travel. On existing approved routes your documents and microchip will be checked. If you’re not travelling on an approved route talk to your vet about what preparations, you need to make before travel.

There will be no change to the current health preparations for pets entering Great Britain from the EU from 1 January 2021.

More information can be found here.

RULES FOR PET TRAVEL TO NON-EU COUNTRIES

These vary from country to country and may be subject to change over the next years. Please contact us as soon as you know the time of your trip or relocation as some countries require more extensive preparation procedures and official documentation that cannot be sped up.

TRAVELLING TIPS

Before starting out on your travels with your cat, it is a good idea to consider how the stress associated with transport and change of environment will affect that particular individual. For short holidays abroad we recommend your cat remains in the comfort of familiar surroundings with a loved carer. For longer trips or relocation, we can advise you on techniques and ideas that may improve the experience of both the nervous and seasoned traveller and their owner.

For general advice on getting your cat used to the carrier check here.

Remember to keep flea, tick and worm control current throughout your time abroad. Enhanced treatments may be required depending on your location and we can advise you on this prior to your trip.

If you would like to book an appointment, please call The London Cat Clinic 0203 740 1112 or book online here.