Roberta Aguirre
Travelling with pets can be a challenging experience, especially when it involves airports. London Heathrow Airport (LHR) is one of the world's busiest airports and has a specific set of procedures for pet travel. The Heathrow Animal Reception Centre (HARC) is the designated facility for pets and other animals to undergo health inspections and paperwork checks. This process is mandatory for all pets entering the UK through Heathrow, ensuring compliance with veterinary regulations and import guidelines. Pet owners should be aware of the potential time required for these procedures, which can range from one to eight hours. Additionally, specific travel arrangements must be made through authorised carriers, and certain documentation, such as an Animal Health Certificate (AHC), may be necessary. Understanding these requirements beforehand is crucial for a smooth journey when travelling with pets into Heathrow Airport.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location of HARC | Offsite, near Terminal 4 and along the Southern Perimeter Road |
| Animals received at HARC | Dogs, cats, horses, birds, reptiles, and fish |
| Number of animals received at HARC | 16,000 cats and dogs, 400 horses, 2,000 birds, 200,000 reptiles, and 28 million fish |
| Time taken for inspection at HARC | 4-8 hours |
| Documents required | Animal Health Certificate (AHC), Veterinary certificate, Export health certificate, Export application form (for England, Scotland and Wales) |
| Other requirements | Car harness, Seatbelt for takeoff, landing, and when the seatbelt sign is on |
| Pet travel arrangements | Airline recommendations, Pet travel agents, Pet carrier companies, International pet transport agencies |
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What You'll Learn
Paperwork and health checks
When travelling with a dog, there are several important health checks and paperwork requirements to keep in mind. Firstly, all dogs entering Heathrow Airport must go through the Heathrow Animal Reception Centre (HARC), which is the official live animal Border Control Post (BCP). Here, your dog will undergo a health inspection to ensure it is in good health, and its documentation will be checked to ensure compliance with UK regulations regarding animal movement. This procedure can take between 4 and 8 hours, and sometimes longer for pets flying in from non-EU countries. Therefore, it is recommended to plan your travel accordingly, allowing for the necessary time for these checks.
The specific paperwork requirements may vary depending on your country of origin and destination. For travel between Great Britain and the EU or Northern Ireland, an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) issued by an official veterinarian is necessary. This certificate is valid for entry into the EU or Northern Ireland within 10 days of issuance and allows onward travel within these regions for up to 4 months. Additionally, tapeworm treatment is required for dogs travelling directly to Finland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Norway, or Malta.
When entering Great Britain, your dog's documents will be checked, and certain routes may have approved requirements. It is essential to check the specific rules for your destination and consult with your veterinarian to ensure you have the necessary paperwork. This includes veterinary appointments, airline bookings, and ensuring space at Heathrow's border control post.
To streamline the process, you can enlist the help of a pet travel agent or a specialised company that can assist with your dog's travel and customs clearance. These companies can provide transport services, ensuring a comfortable and stress-free journey for your dog. They can also act as your nominated clearance agent, working with your airline to provide advanced notices and information to the authorities for a swift clearance process.
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Transport services
There are several transport services available for pets at Heathrow Airport. After landing, your pet will be brought to the Heathrow Animal Reception Centre (HARC) for a health examination and to ensure that all veterinary regulations have been met. This procedure may take between 4 and 8 hours.
If you are happy to wait at the airport for your pet to clear customs, Airpets offers a taxi service that can take you and your pet home together. Alternatively, you can take advantage of their home delivery service, which can deliver pets to any UK mainland address or some European destinations by request. They have a team of dedicated pet transport drivers and climate-controlled vehicles committed to your pet's comfort, safety, and overall well-being.
Starwood also offers a similar service, providing personalised care for your dog or cat during layovers or transfers. They can help you retrieve your pet from the HARC and get them back to the cargo terminal for the next leg of their journey.
Additionally, you can book your pet's travel through one of the authorised pet carrier companies that operate through Heathrow. Some carriers will bring your pet through security, while others will deliver them right to your door.
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Rules for flying to the EU, NI, or Northern Ireland
When flying with dogs to the EU, NI, or Northern Ireland, there are several rules you must follow. Firstly, it is important to do your research beforehand to ensure you are aware of all the necessary requirements and restrictions. For instance, some airlines may have specific policies regarding pet travel, such as limitations on the number of dogs allowed in the cabin or restrictions on flying with puppies. Therefore, it is advisable to contact your airline and book your flight in advance.
In terms of documentation, different destinations have varying requirements. If you are travelling from Great Britain to the EU or NI, your dog will need an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) issued by an official veterinarian. This certificate is valid for entry within 10 days of issuance and allows onward travel within the region for up to four months. Additionally, tapeworm treatment is necessary for dogs flying directly to Finland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Norway, or Malta.
When flying to the Republic of Ireland, your dog requires a microchip, an up-to-date rabies vaccine administered at least 21 days before travel, and either an EU pet passport or an EU pet health certificate. A worming treatment, administered by a vet between 24 and 120 hours before arrival, is also mandatory. This can be recorded in the EU pet passport or on the health certificate.
For travel within the EU, a European pet passport is mandatory. This document serves as an identification record and contains details such as a description of your pet, microchip or tattoo code, health records (including rabies vaccination), and owner and vet contact information. It is issued for dogs, cats, and ferrets and can be obtained from any authorised veterinarian.
It is important to note that dogs may need to fly in a carrier under the seat or in a crate in cargo, depending on their size and the airline's policies. To ensure the comfort and well-being of your dog, consider factors such as flight timing to avoid extreme temperatures and potential disruptions to their medication schedules. Additionally, direct flights are preferable to minimise travel stress.
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Rules for flying to the US
Heathrow Airport offers an Animal Lounge to alleviate the stress of travel on you and your pet. After a long journey, the last thing you need is to worry about how, where, and when to pick up your pet after customs. The Animal Lounge is located opposite Heathrow Terminal 5, where you can be reunited with your pet.
Now, if you are travelling to the US with your dog, there are specific rules and requirements you must follow. Here are some important points to consider:
Age and Vaccination:
The requirements depend on the risk of dog rabies in the country where your trip starts. Dogs arriving from high-risk countries must be at least 16 weeks old and have their rabies shots before entering the US. It is recommended to check if your trip starts in a high-risk country.
Health Inspection and Documentation:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the primary authority for pet dogs imported into the US. You must follow the CDC's dog importation requirements, or your dog will not be permitted to enter the country. The CDC recommends that all dogs be vaccinated against rabies. If your dog has only been in rabies-free or low-risk countries for the last six months, you need to complete the CDC Dog Import Form.
Screwworm and Foot-and-Mouth Disease:
If your dog is coming from a region with screwworm or foot-and-mouth disease, specific requirements must be met. For screwworm, your dog must be inspected within five days before travelling to the US and accompanied by a certificate signed by a veterinary official. For foot-and-mouth disease, your dog's fur and bedding must be free of excessive dirt, hay, or straw, and your dog should be bathed and kept separate from livestock for five days after entering the US.
In-Flight Requirements:
If you are travelling with a checked pet on a connecting flight within the US, there are additional considerations. Your pet must be fed and offered water within four hours before delivering them to the plane, and you must provide feeding and watering instructions for a 24-hour period. Your pet must also be securely attached to the outside of the kennel, and you cannot sedate them.
Airline-Specific Rules:
Different airlines may have their own rules for travelling with pets. For example, American Airlines allows you to bring one pet carrier as carry-on, provided it fits comfortably under the seat. They also have specific requirements for checked pets, such as microchipping and documentation based on the destination country.
Remember to always check the latest information and requirements from official sources and your chosen airline when planning to fly to the US with your dog.
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Layovers
If you are travelling with a dog that will be transiting through Heathrow Airport, there are a few things you should know. First, you must book your dog's travel through one of the authorised pet carrier companies that operate through Heathrow. The airport and individual airlines will have recommendations for specific companies. Some carriers will bring your dog through security, while others will deliver your dog right to your door.
When your dog arrives at Heathrow, they will be brought to the Heathrow Animal Reception Centre (HARC) for a health examination and to ensure that all veterinary regulations have been met. HARC is located offsite but near the airport, along the Southern Perimeter Road. The facility serves all types of animals, not just pets. Your dog will be kept in a heated, individual area during their time at HARC.
If you are travelling with your dog, you can spend your layover with them at Heathrow. Dogs are not permitted in the passenger cabin of the plane, so they will need to travel in the cargo hold. During the layover, you can take your dog to the airport's pet relief area.
If you are not travelling with your dog, they will need to go through customs and be retrieved at the cargo terminal before continuing on their journey. This process can take between one and eight hours, so it is important to allow extra time to ensure that you make the right connections.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can take your dog into Heathrow Airport. However, you will have to book your dog's travel through one of the authorised pet carrier companies that operate through Heathrow.
All dogs coming into Heathrow, regardless of country of origin, must go through an official live animal BCP (Border Control Post) in order to clear UK Customs checks before heading home. This is known as the Heathrow Animal Reception Centre (HARC). Here, your dog will undergo a health inspection and a paperwork check to ensure compliance with UK regulations regarding animal movement.
The inspection process can take up to four hours for dogs flying in from non-EU countries.
After a quick check-up with the vet, your dog will be able to play with other dogs, or rest and relax after the flight. If you are at Heathrow on a layover, your dog will wait for the next leg of the journey. If you are at your final destination, you can pick your dog up.
If you are travelling with your dog, you will have to make your way through customs without your dog. Your dog will have to go through customs separately and will not be allowed in the passenger cabin.
