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Can you take dogs to Heathrow arrivals?

Landing at Heathrow All pets arriving in the United Kingdom must go through an official live animal Border Inspection Post (BIP) to receive official approval when they land. For pets arriving at Heathrow, they will be taken to Heathrow Animal Reception Centre (HARC).



Yes, you can take dogs to the arrivals area at London Heathrow (LHR), but there are strict rules depending on whether the dog is "arriving" from a flight or just meeting someone. If you are meeting a passenger at the airport, well-behaved pet dogs are generally allowed in the public "landside" arrivals halls of all terminals, provided they are on a lead and kept under control. However, if the dog is arriving from an international flight, the process is much more complex. Under the UK's Pet Travel Scheme (PETS), dogs cannot simply walk off the plane with you; they must be processed through the Heathrow Animal Reception Centre (HARC). This facility is located away from the main passenger terminals. An agent will collect your dog from the plane, check its microchip and rabies vaccinations, and then you (the owner) must go to the HARC to pick them up once they are "cleared." This process can take 2 to 6 hours. For Assistance Dogs, the rules are more relaxed, and they are often permitted to stay with the passenger in the cabin and meet them at the aircraft door, provided the airline and Heathrow's assistance team were notified at least 48 hours in advance.

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By Plane: Fly with your dog. Several airlines do accept large dogs by storing them in the plane's cargo. The hold is temperature-controlled and pressurized, so it is a humane way to transport them. For most airlines, pets weighing 17 pounds or more qualify as large and must travel in the hold.

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Usually dogs are only allowed to fly in the cabin—known as carry-on pets—if they can comfortably fit in a carrier that you can stow under the seat in front of you. A small number of airlines, including JetBlue, Alaska Airlines, and Etihad Airways, allow passengers flying with dogs to buy an extra seat for their pet.

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