Heathrow Animal Reception Centre strengthens airside safety with specialist training

Heathrow Animal Reception Centre (HARC) is delivering bespoke animal handling and containment training for Heathrow Airport’s Airside Operations team to strengthen safety, compliance, and resilience across the airfield.

The programme enables staff to respond to domestic, exotic, hazardous, and large animals in the event of an incident in a live airside environment.

The training also covers animal behaviour, zoonotic risk, safe handling of dogs and cats, identification and containment of hazardous or exotic species, and response protocols for large animal incidents.

“As a global gateway, Heathrow Airport handles one of the most diverse live animal flows in the world,” said Peter Dunphy, Chair of the City of London Corporation’s Port Health and Environmental Services Committee.

“That demands more than basic awareness training in scenarios where speed, judgement, and control are critical.

“This course builds on decades of frontline experience managing high risk, time sensitive, and welfare critical situations, so that airside teams can respond with authority and precision if and when needed.”

Each year, around 100 farm animals, 300 horses, 1,000 birds, 20,000 dogs and cats, 120,000 reptiles and amphibians, 22 million ornamental fish, and billions of invertebrates arrive at Heathrow.

“Airside Operations teams are not necessarily animal specialists, yet they are the first on scene when an incident occurs,” added Susie Pritchard, Assistant Director Animal Health & Welfare, City of London Corporation.

“Our role as a leading provider in live animal care and compliance is to share our expertise, set clear standards, and ensure that safety, welfare, and operational continuity are treated as one integrated responsibility.”

“Your exceptional track record handling everything from everyday animals to rare species, alongside your dedication to the Heathrow and our community, made Heathrow Animal Reception Centre, the obvious and best choice to partner with,” said Ashley Hearnden, Learning Design Manager (Airside Operations), Heathrow Airport Ltd.

Operated by the City of London Corporation, HARC is the UK’s only Live Animal Border Control Post approved to receive all species. It is IATA CEIV Live Animals certified and operates 24/7 all year round, caring for millions of animals annually, including zoo species and high value consignments.