Updated 27 April 2022.
For the latest UK government information about bringing Ukrainian pets into the UK, see https://www.gov.uk/guidance/bringing-your-pet-to-the-uk-from-ukraine
Animalcouriers is here to help Ukrainians who want to bring their pets to the UK understand what they need to do. For eligible pets, we’re offering free pet transport to the UK from Poland, Austria and some other countries.
What you need to do first
Before you start the process to get your pets into the UK, you need to meet one of the following criteria:
- You’ve received your UK visa
- You can prove you’ve applied for your UK visa
- You have a sponsor in the UK
To start the process for your pet, contact the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), which is part of the UK government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
The most efficient way to contact them is to send an email to pettravel@apha.gov.uk
APHA will send you a form (the Ukraine Licence Form) to fill in with details about you and your pet(s). If you have a UK sponsor, enter their details on the form where it asks for ‘Name of person in charge if different to owner’.
The information you provide on the form enables the UK government to issue an emergency licence allowing your pet(s) to enter the UK. This means you don’t need to organise a pet passport or similar. If, as is likely, you pet(s) will need to spend some time in quarantine, the UK government will organise this and cover the costs.
What do to with your completed form
Once you’ve completed the form, send it back to APHA at pettravel@apha.gov.uk
If you’ve asked Animalcouriers to transport your pet(s) to the UK for you, please also send the completed form to us at courier@animalcouriers.com and julia@animalcouriers.com. This will help us to facilitate travel for your pet(s) and advise you of any additional steps you may need to take to ensure your pet(s) is/are eligible to travel.
What happens next
Once you receive the emergency licence for your pet(s), we’ll be able to book it/them onto one of our trips. Your pet transport with us will be free of charge. Our vehicles are specially designed for safe, comfortable pet travel; and all our couriers are experienced drivers and animal-handlers. Our couriers will stay in touch with you throughout the journey, so you’ll always know how your pet(s) is/are doing.
Find out more
UK government press release on Ukrainian pet travel
UK government guide to bringing your pet to the UK from Ukraine
Information for people fleeing Ukraine with their pets, verified by IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare)
Bless all of you at Animal Couriers for helping pets stay with their families whenever possible……….
Love, Pam
It’s where they need to be!
I do worry about those who can’t access the internet, don’t know how to use technology etc.
This is a fantastic post. I wasn’t sure how this worked either so it’s incredibly helpful to know for those needing the help to get their pets safely to the UK. xx
They must be in a terrible state if they have no access or knowledge of technology. Luckily many do and seem very capable of tracking things down.
Very helpful information.
Desperately needed.
You and your team are angels of the highest order!
Oh, that’s kind but we’re in a considerably less dangerous place than many.
You guys are just the best!! With all your experience, you will be able to help the fleeing people feel relief knowing their beloved pets are in your hands. Purrs
Thank you. We do find out so much on the front line we feel everyone needs to know the latest requirements.
It’s good to get this information out to people.
Yes, so hard to find out and an ever changing scene.
Amen to the blessings you all provide for these precious passengers traveling to meet their families.
This is such a tangible effort that will make a true difference in this devastating experience for all affected.
I am heartsick, but you inspire hope.
It’s very hard to find information for those flailing around trying to save their pets. Anything we can do…
Miss annie an THE Courierss yo4legedss out of Ukraine safely!!!!
Yore THE BESTEST peeple efurr!!! Wee hope you can help bring many 4-leggedss out of Ukraine an help
them an their Hu’manss find a mew place to call ‘Home” an feel safe once again….
***purrss*** BellaDharma an {{hugss}} BellaSita Mum
It’s being slow and frustrating but we’re getting there!
Wee can emagin how slow thingss are butt wee KNOW youss’ will due yore best to help THE peepell an petss of Ukraine <3 <3
How long they stay in quarantine? How long it take for cat to travel for Ukrainian pet from Poland to uk ?
First a pet needs a microchip, then A rabies injection.
After 30+ days there needs to be a blood test then 90 days after the blood test, providing the result is the right result, a pet does not need any quarantine.
If a pet has some of the above done, this is taken into account, so quarantine is minus the days already covered in the above.
We are meeting our passengers in Warsaw, by arrangement, any pets travelling to the UK must be able to enter the UK, we will need to see all papers and permissions from UK Government before we can collect a pet.