Many times there are minor details missing from pet passports. These cause pet owners to not cross with the Eurotunnel until rectified. Here are some of the most common and those to look out for before you travel. First things first! Only an EU vet can enter information into an EU pet passport for the rabies vaccination. That means your pet has to be revaccinated in the EU, not in the UK. Common blunders we have experienced at Le Pet Express are:
- EU vet forgets to date, stamp and sign next to the rabies vaccination. All three must be present.
- Effective 15 December 2022, the Eurotunnel will accept an EU pet passport where the rabies vaccination was performed in another country as long as the EU vet filled out every section of the rabies vaccination section in the EU pet passport and stamped and signed it. Without the stamp and signature, the Eurotunnel will not accept the rabies vaccination as valid and not permit your pet’s travel.
- EU vet forgets to fill out their surgery name, address details, date, stamp and signature.
- EU vet forgets to sign and stamp their name in the passport.
- Microchip implantation date is after the rabies vaccination date. It must be on or before. Typically, when getting a new EU pet passport, the vet will enter the date of passport issuance as the microchip date-which is incorrect, as its date is after the rabies vaccination date.
- Vet must sign and stamp every page of the UK Animal Health Certificate, even if it is blank.
- Need a UK Animal Health Certificate? When travelling to Great Britian: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pet-travel-apply-for-a-gb-pet-health-certificate
- When travelling to the EU from Great Britian: Look in the righthand column for AHC 06 in English only and AHC 09 in English and French. http://apha.defra.gov.uk/External_OV_Instructions/Export_Instructions/Certification_Procedures/Small_Animal_Exports/Animal_Health_Certificates.html