Heathrow Animal Reception Centre (HARC), operated by the City of London Corporation, has officially joined the CareTags network, significantly enhancing the visibility and reassurance provided to pet owners.
Through the new partnership, animals arriving via long-haul flights and handled by CareTags-enabled pet shippers will receive real-time photo updates, which are shared with owners once animals arrive at HARC.
These updates aim to provide visual reassurance during the waiting period before pets are collected. As the UK’s only Live Animal Border Control Post designated for all species, HARC plays a vital regulatory role in protecting the nation’s biosecurity and enforcing animal welfare standards. It is part of the City Corporation’s Animal Health Service, which oversees the lawful import of animals across Greater London. Chair of the City of London Corporation’s Port Health & Environmental Services, Committee, Peter Dunphy, said: “While our primary role at HARC is to protect biosecurity and enforce animal welfare legislation, our teams also recognise how important reassurance is to pet owners using our service.
This collaboration with CareTags reflects our commitment to improving customer experience by providing timely updates once pets arrive at our facility.” Upon arrival in the UK, animals are transferred from the aircraft to the Animal Reception Centre where they are cared for in species-appropriate accommodation while undergoing mandatory checks to ensure compliance with UK and international regulations. Pets are typically reunited with their owners within a few hours, depending on the complexity of the import process.
Adam Melton, Founder of CareTags, said: “This partnership shows how innovation in the pet transport sector can complement the robust processes already in place at facilities like HARC, providing owners with peace of mind without compromising biosecurity or welfare standards.” HARC handles thousands of companion animals each year — including around 8,000 dogs and 4,000 cats — as well as horses, reptiles, birds, primates, and millions of fish and invertebrates.
