Pet owners planning to travel to Europe this summer are urged by the RSPCA to familiarize themselves with new pet travel regulations. The organization warns that some previously valid documents, such as EU pet passports, may no longer suffice for journeys from Great Britain to the continent. Now, an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) is needed for each trip.

The RSPCA also states that there will be no changes for pets returning to Great Britain; valid EU pet passports remain accepted for entry. David Bowles, the RSPCA’s Head of Public Affairs, stressed the significance of being aware of the latest requirements to prevent any holiday disruptions:

“We know many families will be looking forward to a summer getaway with their pets, and we don’t want anyone to face having their holidays cancelled when they reach the border, because they don’t have the right documents.”

AHCs, which are usable only for a single entry into the EU, can now be utilized for further travel within the EU and for retuning to Great Britain for a duration of up to six months, provided rabies vaccinations are still active. Additional conditions are specified for pets traveling without their owners, including the necessity for written consent from the accompanying individual and travel occurring within five days of the owner. A limit of five pets per private vehicle is permitted for non-commercial travel into the EU.

The RSPCA advises checking the specific entry requirements for each EU member state, as these regulations may differ. More comprehensive guidance can be accessed on the RSPCA website.