Cheshire Independent Issue 216

JULY 2026 14 Independent PETS BRITISH-BASED animal lovers have been warned that new EU travel rules have made most pet pass- ports invalid. Anyone travelling into the EU with pet dogs, cats and ferrets will need new docu- ments and should no longer use EU pet passports, under the rules which came into force on Wednesday. The GOV.UK website, which says the rules also apply to assistance dogs, states: “If you live in Eng- land, Scotland or Wales, from 22 April you cannot use a pet passport (even if it was issued in the EU). “If you use a pet passport, your pet may be refused entry into the EU.” The changes mean that anyone travelling from Great Britain to an EU country with a pet will now need to get an animal health certificate (AHC) before they set off. Travellers will need to get a vet to issue an AHC within ten days of their trip. A new certificate will be needed for each trip to the EU. The AHC can be used for up to six months for onward travel within the EU and for re-entering Britain, as long as rabies vaccinations are still valid. The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) said “holidays with your pets are still possible” despite the new EU rules changes. An APHA spokesman said: “Anyone planning to travel should check guidance on GOV.UK , and the entry rules for their destination. “To avoid delays and ensure a smooth journey, pet owners residing in Great Britain should get an Animal Health Certificate if they are travel- ling from Great Britain to an EU country.” Under the new rules, EU pet passports are now only to be issued to people whose main base is in the EU and not to holiday home owners or seasonal visitors. The Department for DOG owners who spot their four-legged friend digging in the garden or casually munching on garden waste might not consider it concerning. But one veterinary surgeon says this behaviour could prove poten- tially fatal for your animals. Some dogs frequently eat soil during walks and from planted containers in the garden. Dr James Greenwood explained this could be a condition called Pica, which can also affect humans, and it may be hazardous depending on the varie- ties of plants in your garden. He stated: “The main thing here really is to just be worried about what he might find in that soil. So, one of the things that I’d be quite sort of nervous about is bulbs. “Lots of the plant bulbs that we have in our gardens can actually be quite toxic to dogs. So just be a little bit aware of that.” This includes some common plants such as daffodils, tulips, bluebells, foxglove, azaleas and rhododendrons. These can trigger various symp- toms in animals, from digestive problems to tremors, drooling, vomiting and diarrhoea. RSPCA guidance cautions: “In some cases, just licking pollen off their paws or fur can cause a reaction. The bulbs of many plants are particu- larly toxic.” Dr James explained that pica happens when animals consume something non-edible, from con- cretetoplasticandsoil.Heobserved this can be connected to medical conditions and if it’s accompanied by symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea or weight loss and leth- argy then it’s advisable to arrange a veterinary examination. However, if your dog isn’t dis- playing these symptoms or digging up toxic plants, the vet confirmed there’s “no real harm” in dogs play- ing or consuming some soil, apart from it ruining your garden. But Dr Jameshadasolutionforthataswell. “If you actually lean into that and give him something to dig, a sand pit, for example,”he said.“You could bury some of his toys or treats and let himgo and dig in that that is less likely hopefully to go for the tubs.” The vet pointed out that occa- sionally dogs may seem to be ‘eating’soil but are in fact just using their muzzle as an additional ‘paw’ in their digging efforts. A NEW platform aims to help tenants build a com- prehensive pet profile so landlords and agents can review their pet’s history and make an informed decision without the paperwork chase. Pawfect puts all the rel- evant information into one shareable profile including pet insurance documents, vet health records, previous landlord references, behav- iour/training certificates and microchip details. Tenants can also upload photos to evi- dence their pet’s suitability for a particular property. The Renters’ Rights Act gives tenants the right to request a pet, which landlords are required to consider and cannot unreasonably refuse – within 28 days. Founder Manus McGinty says while most UK house- holds now own pets, many landlords and letting agents still struggle to properly assess pet-related risk. As a result, responsible tenants are often rejected, while landlords are left relying on incomplete information spread across emails and documents. The platform generates a simple profile score and ref- erence link so landlords or agents can review everything in one place. For landlords, it reduces the time and uncer- tainty involved in assess- ing pet-owning applicants, while still allowing them to review supporting documents, he explains. New platform helps landlords vet pets under Renters’ rules Common plants that are toxic for pets No more pet passports What are the new EU rules for travelling with animals? Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said individ- ual member states may have specific pet travel require- ments and owners should always check the entry details before travelling. British-based travellers can still use EU pet pass- ports for their return journey back home. The government is updat- ing its guidance to pet owners in light of the new EU regulations. Extra paperwork will also be needed if the owner is not travelling with their pet. Whoever is taking the ani- mal abroad must have written permission from the owner. Up to five days are allowed before the pet and owner must travel abroad. Travellers are now also only allowed to have a maximum of five pets in a private vehicle. There may be an exception for pets travelling to competi- tions, events or training. With a background in con- struction and property main- tenance, McGinty says he understands both the concerns landlords have around prop- erty risk and the growing dif- ficulties responsible pet owners face in the rental market. With the new rental laws, the big- gest friction point is landlords’ fear of the unknown. “The idea behind Pawfect was to create a more stand- ardised and transparent system that makes the pro- cess clearer and easier for both landlords and tenants,” he says. Tenants pay a one-off fee of £12.99, and while it is cur- rently free to use for landlords and agents, McGinty is devel- oping a landlord dashboard which would incur a cost. “We’re looking to appeal to all kinds of landlords,” he tells LandlordZONE. “The plat- form launched this week and is still at an early stage, but the response so far has been really encouraging.”