Taking a sample from an animal can be a simple gesture. Indeed, many customers ask us if they can perform a swab on their dog or their cat alone.
A quick answer would be yes.
However, collection by a veterinarian has two advantages. If your certificates are communicated to third parties (sale of the animal, recognition of the animal with a federation or a club), this third party may refuse your certificate. In fact, when taking the sample, the veterinarian provides and signs a sampling certificate which commits him to the fact that he has verified that the sample comes from the animal described on the sampling certificate.
The second reason is that if your first sample is incorrect, the laboratory may require the second sample to be taken by a veterinarian. If not, additional fees may be requested.
