Pet Travel

TRAVELLING ABROAD WITH YOUR DOG

Taking your dog on holiday takes some organisation. There are many regulations that require consideration from safety in the car to travelling on planes or ferries. These regulations change on a regular basis, so it is wise to check before you leave.

Considerations before your holiday:

Microchip your dog

Your dog needs to be microchipped. Check this procedure and the costs with your vet.
It is highly recommended that after your dog is microchipped it is registered with Petlog, the largest pet reunification scheme in the UK, as this can prove extremely effective in locating a lost pet. The Petlog Plus lost and found service can even alert local vets and dog wardens when an owner SMS text messages where their pet was lost. Petlog is a member of the European Pet Network so can still help to get your dog back to you if you lose him when on holiday - but remember to add your holiday details to your pet's record on Petlog before you travel by telephoning 0870 606675.

Check your insurance cover:

Organise a rabies vaccination

Your dog must have a rabies vaccination at least one month prior to departure. Check this procedure and the cost with your vet.
A month after the vaccination, a blood test is taken to make sure it has created enough antibodies. A passport is then issued once confirmed. Normally, the rabies vaccination must be done annually and the passport is re-issued bi-annually. Please consult DEFRA for clarification.

PETS Travel Scheme

If you are going abroad on holiday or to a canine event - he or she can travel freely to a member country of the PETS Travel Scheme.
When the passport has been issued the dog can travel and return to the UK without going into quarantine.
A full list of PETS Travel Scheme member countries can be found by clicking here:

Other travel considerations

Check whether your dog can travel with the airline and ferry company you wish to use. You can travel by the Eurotunnel but NOT the Eurostar.
If you travel by plane and will be accompanying your dog, some airlines may allow you to book your dog in as excess baggage as opposed to cargo, which usually works out cheaper. Your dog must fly in an IATA approved crate and you should check with the airline about how to measure your dog for an IATA approved crate. Airlines should provide information guides on how to do this.
Most ferry companies will not allow dogs up on to the decks so your dog will need to stay in the car throughout the duration of the crossing. Some ferry companies will allow you to check your dog throughout the crossing but you are advised to check before travel. For foot passengers, some companies do have kennels on the car decks. If you decide to take a ferry crossing, make sure your dog will be happy to sleep in the vehicle or in a kennel (whichever you choose) throughout the duration of the crossing.
Before booking your holiday accommodation, ensure that the hotel or bed and breakfast will accept dogs. Most places on the continent are pretty dog-friendly but, be advised you will normally be expected to pay a fee per dog.
Consider travel insurance which covers your pet for emergency overseas veterinary and kennel costs.

While on holiday:

Before travelling in a car, gradually accustom your dog to car travel by taking your dog on short journeys.
Always ensure your dog has plenty of ventilation and shade in the car and that fresh drinking water is readily available.
Train your dog not to bark or move around excessively whilst your car is in motion, as this can be very distracting to the driver.
Check the regulations for travelling by car for the country you are visiting as some countries insist that dogs wear seat belts or be carried in a cage.
Transport your dog safely, preferably by using a special dog guard, dog cage or canine harness. Your dog will be better protected and feel more secure if he has his own space in the car rather than being ‘squashed' in with the luggage.
When taking your dog on a long journey, ensure you make regular stops to exercise your dog. Remember always to clean up after your dog in any public place.
Make certain your dog is kept on a lead in all public places.
Ensure your dog is sociable and obedient. This can be done through the Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme, which is a fun and enjoyable way of training your dog to be sociable and provides essential advice on responsible dog ownership.
Make sure your dog wears an identification collar and tag with your current contact details. The Control of Dogs Order 1992 advises that any dog in a public place must wear a collar tag with the name and address of the owner written on it. The phone number is optional. It is well worth adding your address while on holiday to your dog's tag even if this is done simply by means of sticky tape over the current tag.

Returning to the UK:

To come back into the UK your dog must have a worm dose and flea and tick treatment administered by a vet between 24 - 48 hours before returning to the UK. The vet has to sign the passport to say this has been carried out. If you are only going on a day trip, the worm / flea treatment has to be administered before you leave the UK.
The passport and the dog's microchip number are checked before return to the UK in the "PETS check point". This check has to be paid for and at present (June 2004) is £30 for travelling by Eurotunnel and £25 by ferry to Dover. This can be paid for when you purchase your tickets initially.
If you are importing a dog from abroad then it has to have a Pet Passport (the same as a UK dog travelling abroad). Therefore any puppy coming into the UK would be a minimum of 8 months old.

Further contact details:

DEFRA Helpline: 08459 33 55 77

This information has been re-printed with kind permission of The Kennel Club, 1, Clarges Street, London, W1J 8AB.

Telephone: 0870 6066750