Which pet travel documents you need will depend on where you’re travelling from.
Check if the country you’re travelling from is ‘part 1’ listed, ‘part 2’ listed, or not listed.
You must bring originals of all your pet’s documents, not photocopies.
If you’re travelling from a ‘part 1’ listed country
If you’re travelling to Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland) from a ‘part 1’ listed country, you’ll need one of the following:
-
a pet passport issued in a ‘part 1’ listed country
-
an animal health certificate (AHC) issued in Great Britain in the last 4 months
-
a pet passport issued in Great Britain before 1 January 2021
-
a Great Britain pet health certificate issued in the last 10 days
If you’re travelling from a ‘part 2’ listed country or one that’s not listed
You must have a Great Britain pet health certificate issued in the last 10 days. You cannot bring your pet to Great Britain without one.
You’ll need extra documents if you’re entering Great Britain with a cat from Australia or a cat or dog from Malaysia.
Cats from Australia
To bring a cat into Great Britain from Australia, you must have a certificate from the Australian Department of Agriculture confirming your cat has not been exposed to the Hendra virus in the 60 days before you left.
Dogs and cats from Peninsular Malaysia
You must have a certificate from the Malaysian government veterinary health services to bring your dog or cat into Great Britain from Peninsular Malaysia. The certificate must show your pet:
- has not had contact with pigs in the 60 days before you left
- has not been on a holding where Nipah disease has been found in the 60 days before you left
- has a negative blood test result for Nipah virus antibody - the test must be carried out by a laboratory approved for Nipah virus on a blood sample taken no more than 10 days before you leave
Getting a pet passport
Pet passports show the details of the different health treatments your pet has had.
You can get a pet passport from a vet authorised to issue them in any ‘part 1’ listed country.
Great Britain is not ‘part 1’ listed. You cannot use a pet passport from Great Britain unless it was issued before 1 January 2021.
If your vet does not issue pet passports, ask them for the nearest one that does or contact the Animal and Plant Health Agency.
When you get a pet passport you’ll need to take:
- your pet
- your pet’s identity and vaccination records
- rabies blood test results, if your pet needs them
The passport is only valid if you meet the entry requirements.
You should travel with previous pet passports in some cases, for example if your pet has had a blood test. Ask your vet if you think this applies to your pet.
Only vets in EU countries can enter rabies vaccination details into an EU pet passport. Any vet in any country can put tapeworm treatment details into a pet passport.
You’ll need to get a new pet passport when all the treatment spaces are full.
Before you travel
Check that the vet has filled in the following sections in the pet passport:
- details of ownership - you must sign section I if your pet passport was issued on or after 29 December 2014
- description of animal
- marking or identification of animal
- vaccination against rabies
- rabies blood test (if needed)
- details of the vet issuing the passport (for passports issued from 29 December 2014)
- your dog’s tapeworm treatment (if needed)
Getting an animal health certificate (AHC)
You can only use an AHC that’s been issued in Great Britain. You’ll usually only have one if you originally travelled with your pet from Great Britain.
AHCs must be signed by an ‘official veterinarian’ (OV). If you’re in Great Britain, check if your vet can issue animal health certificates. If they cannot, ask them to help you find an OV.
Find out more about getting an AHC.
Getting a Great Britain pet health certificate
You can ask your vet to complete a Great Britain pet health certificate.
Your pet must arrive in Great Britain within 10 days of the pet health certificate being issued.
FAQs
You must have a Great Britain pet health certificate to bring a pet dog, cat or ferret to Great Britain from a 'part 2' listed country. You'll need extra documents if you're entering Great Britain with a cat from Australia or a cat or dog from Malaysia. Find out how to get pet travel documents.
Can I take my pet dog to UK? ›
You must have a Great Britain pet health certificate to bring a pet dog, cat or ferret to Great Britain from a 'part 2' listed country. You'll need extra documents if you're entering Great Britain with a cat from Australia or a cat or dog from Malaysia. Find out how to get pet travel documents.
Do British people prefer cats or dogs? ›
London's Pet Preference Differs from Other UK Regions
In almost every area of the country we found that dog ownership far outpaced cat ownership. In some areas, such as Northern Ireland and the North East, this margin was as high as 40% where dog ownership rests at 78% and 75%, respectively.
How many pets can you bring to UK? ›
You cannot bring more than 5 pets to Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland) unless you're attending or training for a competition, show or sporting event. You'll need written evidence of registration for the event when you travel. All your pets must: be attending the event or training.
Do more people own cats or dogs in the UK? ›
According to a 2023 survey, dogs were the most commonly owned pet in UK households. The share of households reporting dog ownership stood at 31 percent. The second most common house pet among UK households were cats, with around 26 percent of respondents stating their ownership.
Can I bring my cat to the UK? ›
You can enter or return to Great Britain with your pet cat, dog or ferret if it: has been microchipped. has a pet passport or health certificate. has been vaccinated against rabies - it will also need a blood test if you're travelling from an country that is not 'listed'
Can you take a cat on a plane to the UK? ›
An important rule that may come as a surprise to many pet owners is that animals aren't permitted to travel in the cabin if you're visiting the U.K. The only exception to this is if you're flying with service dogs. However, many airlines can carry your pet as manifest cargo.
What is the UK's favorite pet? ›
Dogs sit at the top of the chain, with a population of 12 million, with 31% of British households having at least one pooch.
What is the most common animal in the UK? ›
The grass-tunnelling field vole is our most abundant mammal and represents a vital link in the food chain.
How many pets can 1 person fly with? ›
Traveling with pets in-cabin is only allowed for cats and dogs when there's space available. Each customer can travel with up to two pets. If you're traveling with two pets, you must purchase two seats on your flight. Your second seat needs to be next to your assigned seat so you can care for both pets.
Up to three pets per passenger are allowed to travel as accompanied baggage. They can share a kennel if they weigh under 14 kg (30 lbs) each, are two adult animals of similar size, or up to three animals under 6 months old from the same litter. The same rules apply for cats and dogs traveling as cargo.
What pets can you legally own in UK? ›
Sadly, it is currently legal to keep almost any animal as a pet in the UK unless there is legislation in place which specifically bans the keeping of that breed or species.
What is the most adopted pet? ›
Dogs are more popular than cats in the U.S. As of 2022, 44.5% of U.S. households own dogs and 29% of households own cats.
Are cats cheaper than dogs UK? ›
Day-to-day costs
Most dogs will cost owners at least £23,000 over their lifetime, with cats a cheaper option at around £12,000. However, these prices can be much higher of your pet suffers from a chronic condition which requires regular trips to the vet and ongoing medication.
What is the most popular house pet in the world? ›
It should come as no surprise that the most popular pet in the world is the dog. There is a reason why people say the dogs are a man's best friend, and there are tens of millions of them living in the United States alone.
Can I take my dog to the UK from the USA? ›
The rabies vaccination must be valid at the time of entry into the UK. A copy of applicable rabies vaccination certificate(s) must accompany the pet to the UK.
How much does it cost to bring a dog to the UK? ›
The Heathrow Animal Reception Center (HARC) charges £260 per AWB. £177 to transport your pet to the quarantine station. £83 to collect your pet from the aircraft. Each additional pet on the same AWB is £41.
Do dogs have to go into quarantine in the UK? ›
According to the pet import requirements for the UK, your dog will not need to fulfill a quarantine as long as you follow the correct procedures carefully. The UK does have a very specific entry process for pets, but this usually only takes a few hours upon arrival, and then pets are free to go home.
How much does it cost to take a dog to the UK? ›
The cost of transporting a pet to the UK can range from $3,800.00 to $5,400.00.
