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August 2026 Page 9 AD SALES 01204 478812 PETS TO ADVERTISE CALL 01204 478812 BRITISH-BASED ani- mal 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 documents 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-enter- ing 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 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 Common plants that could prove deadly No more pet passports What are the new EU rules for travelling with your animals? 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 jour- ney, pet owners residing in Great Britain should get an Animal Health Certificate if they are travelling from Great 158 Chorley New Road, Horwich BL6 5QW. Tel: 01204 694004 53 Chorley Road, Westhoughton BL5 3PD. Tel: 01942 818845 www.pikemoorvets.co.uk • Locally owned • Highly professional practice • Dedicated to caring for all your pets Britain to an EU coun- try.” 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 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said indi- vidual member states may have specific pet travel requirements and owners should always check the entry details before travelling. British-based travel- lers can still use EU pet passports for their return journey back home. The government is updating 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 animal 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 excep- tion for pets travelling to competitions, events or training. rhododendrons. These can trigger various symptoms 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 reac- tion. The bulbs of many plants are particularly toxic.” Dr James explained that pica happens when animals consume something non-edible, from con- crete to plastic and soil. He observed this can be connected to medical conditions and if it’s accompanied by symptoms such as vomiting, diar- rhoea or weight loss and lethargy then it’s advisable to arrange a veter- inary examination. However, if your dog isn’t dis- playing these symptoms or digging up toxic plants, the vet confirmed there’s“no real harm”indogs playing or consuming some soil, apart from it ruining your garden. But Dr James had a solution for that as well. “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 him go and dig in that that is less likely hopefully to go for the tubs.” The vet pointed out that occasion- ally dogs may seem to be‘eating’soil but are in fact just using theirmuzzle as an additional ‘paw’ in their dig- ging efforts.