Rabies antibody tests: pet travel schemes (VLARAB1)
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-28)

Use this form to submit samples to test pets for rabies antibodies for international pet travel schemes.

Vets can use this form to submit samples from dogs, cats and ferrets to test for rabies antibodies, a requirement for some international pet travel schemes.

You cannot use this form to move dogs, cats or ferrets from Great Britain to the EU. For that, an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) (https://www.gov.uk/taking-your-pet-abroad/getting-an-animal-health-certificate) is needed, which has been certified by an Official Veterinarian (OV) (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/become-an-official-veterinarian-ov-or-set-up-a-new-ov-practice) with the appropriate qualification.

Testing is carried out by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). APHA Weybridge is an EU-approved serology testing laboratory.

Who can use this service

To use this service:
- you must be a practising veterinary surgeon
- animals must be vaccinated and you must have no suspicion of clinical rabies
Rabies is a notifiable animal disease (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/notifiable-diseases-in-animals). If you suspect it in an animal in Great Britain, you must report it immediately by calling:
- xx-xxxx-xxxx if you’re in England
- xx-xxxx-xxxx if you’re in Wales
- your local Field Services Office (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/contact-apha#scotland-apha-field-services) if you’re in Scotland
If you do not report it, you’re breaking the law.

Tests, costs and turnaround times

APHA carries out 2 varieties of the Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralisation (FAVN) test:
- a reduced dilution test
- a full titre test
FAVN is a live virus test which determines whether an animal has adequate levels of rabies antibodies following vaccination.

Check the country’s import requirements to ensure you choose the correct test. Specify the test you need on the form. The laboratory will carry out a reduced dilution test by default unless instructed otherwise.

TC0712 - Rabies antibodies in dogs and cats for pet travel schemes:
- accepted for pet travel schemes in EU and Australia, and countries that accept a reduced dilution test
- 20 days maximum turnaround
- lower cost - check the cost for TC0712 (https://science.vla.gov.uk/Tests/SearchResults.aspx?SiteName=CDT&Search=TC0712+&PriceListCategoryId=0)
TC0570 - Rabies antibodies in dogs and cats - extended method:
- for countries requiring a full titre test to import animals
- 20 days maximum turnaround
- higher cost - check the cost for TC0570 (https://science.vla.gov.uk/Tests/SearchResults.aspx?SiteName=CDT&Search=TC0570+&PriceListCategoryId=0)
Making a payment

You enter into a contract with APHA when you submit samples for testing.

You will be sent an invoice with instructions on how to set up an account to make payment. You must pay within 28 days of the date of invoice. APHA reserves the right to withhold services for accounts in arrears.

Fore more information see our general terms and conditions (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apha-standard-terms-and-conditions).

Taking samples

When taking samples:
- use one submission form per animal
- read the animals microchip before taking the sample
- each sample must be a minimum of 1ml serum (preferable) or 2ml clotted blood
- send each sample in an uncoated tube, marked with the animal’s name or microchip number
Test results will only be accepted for the pet travel scheme if the form is completed in full and signed by the submitting vet.

Submitting samples from within Great Britain

You must follow the rules for packaging and sending pathological material (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/how-to-pack-and-label-samples-for-submission-to-apha).

Label the package with the following information:
- canine/feline serum samples – no commercial value
- category B veterinary diagnostic specimens – not restricted
Submitting samples from outside Great Britain

You must include an import licence with all submissions from outside Great Britain. You can find the import licence at the back of the VLARAB1 form. Print the licence and attach it to the outside of the packaging in a transparent plastic pocket.

You must follow the rules for packaging and sending pathological material (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/how-to-pack-and-label-samples-for-submission-to-apha).

Label the package with the following information:
- canine or feline serum samples – no commercial value
- category B veterinary diagnostic specimens – not restricted
- import licence ITIMP23.0945
- country of origin (your country)
- maximum value of $1
Failure to include a maximum value may result in additional importation charges. APHA will not accept any additional charges and these must be paid for by the customer.

Include a cover letter in the package

You must also include a letter on headed notepaper describing the contents of the package.

The letter must:
- include the number of serum samples submitted per species
- be signed by the submitting veterinary surgeon
- include a ‘Freedom from disease declaration’ stating the following:
- The serum is not derived from an animal known or suspected to be infected with a pathogen which causes a notifiable disease to which the animal from which the serum is derived is susceptible according to European Regulations or the Animal Health Regulations of the exporting country.
- That the serum does not originate from an animal in a premise or region or zone of a country that is subject to official restrictions due to a notifiable disease to which the animals are susceptible according to European or other National Animal Health Regulations.
Samples from Russia

We are currently unable to test any rabies FAVN submission where the samples are taken in Russia and where payment would be made from a Russian bank card or credit card.

Testing may still be possible depending on circumstances and how the payment is to be made.

Contact lab services for advice by emailing xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx).

Where to send samples

Send your completed submission form and sample to:

Rabies Serology/Sample ReceptionAnimal and Plant Health AgencyWoodham LaneNew Haw, AddlestoneSurreyKT15 3NBUK

Results

Results are provided in IU/ml.

For PETS:
- results greater than 0.5IU/ml have passed the requirements
- results less than 0.5IU/ml have failed the requirements and the animal will require a booster vaccination
Test reports are sent to the submitting practice. You can order duplicate reports, or request that reports are sent to a different address, by writing this on the form.

Contacting APHA

Advice on the pet travel scheme

Contact APHA for pet travel help (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/contact-apha#pet-travel)

Testing enquiries and confirming a report’s validity

To confirm a report’s validity, email a scan or photo of the report to xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx).

If you need an accessible version of this form email xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx).

About the tests and APHA

The Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralisation (FAVN) test is a live virus test which determines whether an animal has adequate levels of rabies antibodies following vaccination.

FAVN is an approved Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre Test (RNATT ) for monitoring the effectiveness of vaccines for the purposes of commercial and non-commercial pet travel.

The rabies tests undertaken by APHA are accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 ensuring the highest level of quality assurance.

APHA Weybridge is:
- the UK Reference Laboratory for Rabies
- an International Reference Laboratory for Rabies for the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)
- an EU-approved laboratory for rabies serology
- a UKAS accredited testing laboratory No. 1769