Pet owners and veterinary professionals in the Channel Islands have voiced concerns over rising costs and added inconvenience because of recent changes to the documentation required for travelling with animals to Europe.
Under updated EU regulations, now enforced by the UK, previously issued EU pet passports expired in April. As a result, islanders must now obtain an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) from a veterinarian each time they travel with their pets.
While residents who also live in the EU can still use valid pet passports when departing from Jersey, officials have urged all travellers to carefully check entry requirements for their destination countries before making arrangements.
The Government of Jersey’s Animal Health and Welfare team acknowledged the disruption caused by what it described as last-minute rule changes. A spokesperson said the new requirements were implemented almost immediately after guidance was issued by UK authorities.
They added that the validity of Animal Health Certificates has since been extended from four to six months. However, the certificates remain valid for a single trip only, meaning a new one is required for each journey. Officials say they are working with local veterinary practices to make the process more efficient.
For many pet owners, the changes have had a direct financial impact. Candice Wilson, who frequently travels between Jersey and her property in France, said the cost of taking her rescue dog, Theo, has risen significantly.
Her most recent trip cost £400 – up from £230 – due to the new certification requirement. She said the increase has made regular travel with her dog unaffordable.
“I’ll have to find someone to look after him if I want to travel,” she said. “He’s like family to me, so leaving him behind is really difficult.”
Wilson also questioned whether more could be done to reduce costs and extend the certificate’s usability, and suggested a special agreement between Jersey and France could help maintain ease of travel.
Others share similar frustrations. Guernsey resident Aldwyn Le Cocq said the need to arrange a veterinary appointment within a strict 10-day window before travel adds another layer of difficulty.
“It’s likely to put people off taking their pets altogether,” she said, adding that boarding animals locally may become the more practical option.
Veterinary practices have also reported increased pressure. Ruth Geegan, a vet in Jersey, said her clinic has received a surge in enquiries from concerned pet owners trying to navigate the new rules.
She explained that the certificates involve more complex paperwork and require additional training for vets to issue, contributing to the higher cost—typically around £170 per certificate.
Geegan warned that failing to meet the requirements could lead to serious consequences, including denied travel or even quarantine for the animal.
She also expressed support for reintroducing Jersey-specific pet passports, which were in use before Brexit. According to Geegan, those documents were more convenient and valid for longer periods, reducing both stress and administrative burden.
Animal welfare groups have acknowledged the frustration but remain optimistic. Steve Byrne from the GSPCA said the transition period may be challenging, but expects the process to become more manageable over time as people adjust to the new system.
Authorities in Guernsey have not yet commented on the situation.
