Snakes, horses and frogs among millions of animals passing through Heathrow Airport every year | UK News
Snakes, horses and frogs are among the millions of animals passing through Heathrow Airport every year.
Approximately 19,000 dogs and cats, 28 million fish, 400 horses, 2,000 birds, 50 zoo animals and 150,000 reptiles are imported through the UK’s largest airport.
Each animal is taken from its flight to the Heathrow Animal Reception Centre where they are inspected.
An animal attendant holds a female boa constrictor
An animal attendant holds an adult white tree frog
The animals are provided with temporary accommodation while paperwork and shipments are checked. They can then be reunited with their owners.
The facility, owned and operated by the City of London Corporation, can hold any animal species.
It works with airlines to ensure animals are well cared for and meet the requirements of the Pet Travel Scheme, which allows them to travel easily without undergoing quarantine.
Michael Gallo, a lead senior veterinary inspector, holds a starfish
A clownfish at the Heathrow Animal Reception Centre
On Thursday, there was also an adult white tree frog, a boa constrictor, a royal python, a clownfish, a starfish and a neon marine fish at the centre.
An owner is reunited with his springer spaniels
Springer spaniels, a German shepherd, a pug and a corgi were among the species of dog also being inspected.
