Preparing your dog for travelling abroad
THE
PETS PASSPORT
You must apply for a PETS passport. This allows
for your dog to return to the UK, without the requirement
of quarantine.
The PETS scheme consists of a rigid process and timescale
of veterinary requirements which can be performed by your
local vet.
All vets who are LVI's (Local Veterinary Inspectors) can carry
out these procedures. These are:
VETERINARY
REQUIREMENTS
For each trip overseas on on your return there are specific requirements. These requirements are changing from 2012 and you are advised to check with your own vet and with DEFRA before planning your holiday. Failure to comply with regulations will
involve your dog being placed into quarantine upon arrival
in the UK.
TRAVEL
ROUTES
| Routes by Sea |
| Caen to Portsmouth: Brittany Ferries, P&O Ferries |
| Calais to Dover: P&O Ferries
and SeaFrance. |
| Cherbourg to Poole: Brittany Ferries |
| Cherbourg to Portsmouth: Brittany Ferries |
| Dieppe to Newhaven: Transmanche Ferries |
| Dunkerque to Dover: Norfolk Shipping |
| Le Havre to Portsmouth: Louis Dreyfus Lines |
| Roscoff to Plymouth: Brittany Ferries |
| St Malo to Poole: Condor Ferries |
| St Malo to Portsmouth: Brittany Ferries |
| Routes by Train |
| Calais to Folkestone Eurotunnel |
| Paris (Nord) to London (St Pancras) Assistance dogs |
You will only able to use these companies to bring your pet
back into the UK under the
PETS
scheme.
Click here to visit the
DEFRA website
When travelling to Spain. and southern France, it is important to note that there are a number of diseases and dangers for pets that aren't found in most other European countries. For dogs these include the fatal Leishmaniosis (also called Mediterranean or sandfly disease), Ehrlchiosis also called Tick Disease), Filariosis (also know as heartworm).
The sand fly is active between April and November (during the warm season) and disappears in winter. They hide during the daytime and comes out late afternoon with the highest period of activity occurring at night between 2AM and 4AM.
Ticks hide in well watered gardens and in the bushes and shrubbery of the fields, especially in areas frequented by passing sheep and goats.
Heartworm is a disease primarily of dogs, although
cats are also at risk. It is transmitted by certain
mosquitoes and has a worldwide distribution including southern Europe.
Ask your vet about these before you travel to make you are satisfied that your animals will be protected, the BVA website has a useful factsheet with information on the above, visit their website. Have a great pet friendly holiday in Europe.
Paws Abroad and Paws for a Walk do not guarantee
complete accuracy of all these details. Please check with Defra, your vet and
the relevant travel companies before travelling.
