Choosing the Right Vet for International Pet Travel: What to Look for and What to Ask
The health certificate for international pet travel must be issued by an authorised vet - not just any registered vet. In the UK, this means being listed with APHA as an Official Veterinarian (OV) for export health certificates. Many excellent, experienced vets are not on this list.
Booking the wrong vet means a certificate that cannot be endorsed. Finding this out two days before travel is a genuine emergency.
What Is an Official Veterinarian (OV)?
An OV is a vet who has completed APHA’s Official Controls Qualification (OCQ) for trade and has been authorised to issue Export Health Certificates (EHCs) on behalf of the UK government. This is different from simply being RCVS-registered.
The OV is authorised to sign the specific EHC format required for your destination country. Different destinations have different EHC forms - your OV must be authorised for the specific form your destination requires.
How to Find an APHA-Authorised Vet
The most reliable method:
- Use the APHA OV finder on the UK government website
- Search by postcode or county
- Filter by the specific export health certificate form you need (e.g., EHC Australia, EHC USA)
Alternatively, call your destination country’s UK consulate or embassy - they may be able to recommend local vets experienced with their specific requirements.
Questions to Ask Before Booking
Before committing to a vet for international documentation:
- “Are you an authorised OV for the specific export health certificate for [destination country]?”
- “How many times have you issued this specific certificate in the past year?”
- “Are you familiar with the microchip verification requirement and timing rules?”
- “Do you have the current version of the EHC form?” (forms update; old versions are rejected)
- “What is your turnaround time for completed documentation?”
A vet who has never issued an EHC for Australia, for example, may inadvertently complete the form incorrectly. APHA’s endorsement process sometimes catches errors; sometimes it does not.
APHA Endorsement
After the OV issues the health certificate, it must be endorsed (countersigned) by APHA to be valid for most international destinations. APHA operates endorsement offices and a postal service:
- Same-day endorsement: At APHA offices (appointment required)
- Postal endorsement: 2-4 working days (check current times)
Factor endorsement time into your health certificate window.
Sources: APHA UK Official Veterinarian requirements and export health certificate processes. Data current as of {TODAY}.