Increase in assistance dogs at Heathrow

The Heathrow Animal Reception Centre (HARC) has recorded a significant increase in the importation of assistance dogs over the past year. According to the center, which is managed by the City of London Corporation, a total of 1,800 assistance animals were processed, representing a 110% increase compared to 2021. This rise is attributed to a combination of regulatory changes, evolving airline practices, and increasing demand on transatlantic routes. Notably, an increase in assistance dogs was registered in December and January, as many passengers traveled for family visits during the holidays.

The complexity of HARC’s tasks has increased as the number of assistance dogs traveling through Heathrow rises. Susie Pritchard, Deputy Director of Animal Health and Welfare at HARC, emphasized the need for consistent checks that meet health and welfare requirements to facilitate access for passengers with assistance dogs. Pritchard was also recently appointed to the advisory board of Assistance Dogs UK to provide legal and public policy advice to support the development of credible legislative and policy reforms.

Assistance dogs are specially trained animals that assist people with disabilities by performing specific tasks, such as guiding visually impaired passengers or alerting individuals with hearing loss. While some airlines now internally assess the training of assistance dogs, HARC continues to conduct assessments and arrival checks for most airlines flying to Heathrow.

HARC is the only border control post for live animals in the United Kingdom, responsible for all animal species and equipped to receive and hold any animal. It is operated by the City of London Corporation, which is responsible for enforcing relevant laws on animal health and welfare for all imported animals in Greater London.

www.cityoflondon.gov.uk