01/05/2026
Planning a trip with your pet? Booking travel vaccinations and paperwork well in advance can help ensure everything runs smoothly. Rabies vaccination is a requirement for many destinations, and travel to the EU requires an Animal Health Certificate (AHC). This must be issued by an Official Veterinarian following an in‑person examination, no more than ten days before entry. Allowing time to review your pet’s vaccination history is essential, as boosters may need to be scheduled before certification can take place.
During a calm home visit, a vet can also review your pet’s core vaccination status, including DHP (distemper, hepatitis/adenovirus and parvovirus), Leptospirosis and kennel cough. After the initial course and first annual booster, DHP vaccines are commonly administered on a three‑year cycle. Leptospirosis, however, is generally given annually in the UK due to its zoonotic risk. Kennel cough vaccination is often recommended when pets are likely to have close contact with others, such as during boarding or attendance at daycare. As recommendations vary depending on vaccine type and individual lifestyle factors, vaccination plans should always be tailored to the pet.
Half‑term and summer travel periods are particularly busy, and appointment availability can fill quickly. Checking and arranging a home visit early can help ensure that rabies vaccination and travel documentation are completed in good time, avoiding unnecessary delays before departure.
Local coverage: vets2yourpets.co.uk/local-vet-locations
Book an appointment: vets2yourpets.co.uk/pet-travel-scheme-animal-health-certificate