Message Forums

Hi all, what aer the problems associated with taking a dog abroad - we are considering a trip to france in 2005.

What aer the legal implications
what about the weather
what about the beaches

cheers

I'm sure I've read about this on other threads on here, if you do a search you'll probably find them.

From what I can remember there are only certain ports you can enter and exit France through when you take animals, I think Calais is one of them.  Also I think you have to see a vet in France and get a certificate before you return, I think there is a time restriction on this as well, plus from what other people have said, they have had difficulty in finding vets abroad who have the correct documentation needed to travel.

Also you have to have your animals innoculated (all the normal ones) as well as rabies, and I think you also have to have them micro-chipped.

Much as I love my animals, for a 2 weeks holiday I think I'd rather send them to the kennels/cattery or get a relative to look after them.  If you were going abroad for a couple of months it would be more worth while doing.

Tessa

We are doing the same next year and have had our dog chipped and inoculated etc you have to allow 7 months after the rabies jab before you can bring it back into the U.K. Also be aware that the further south you go there are lots of very nasty ticks and other problems that it wont have any resistance to,especially Spain.

See your vet and heed their advice is the best option.

We think the response to this question has been pretty good and we've been watching it hoping to learn some points for next year. I have been on DEFRA's website and printed off the relevant information which appears fairly straigtforward, providing you follow the instructions implicately. We have been considering taking our 6 years old Sheltie with us late May, early June. He has been on 'Program' tablets throughout his lifetime and has been no trouble with fleas at any time. We would be grateful for an approximate cost of chipping, treatments and innoculations, before we ask our local vet for a quote. We think the comments about travelling via Eurotunnel with a dog are good advice. We had an online quote via the CC of £144 with our motorhome for the May/June period mentioned above.

Don M

Hi Don

We have a Sheltie too!

We paid about £200 in all for chipping, rabies injection, blood test, and for the passport to be issued, to our UK vet.

The cost of treatment in France before returning to the UK was 35 euro.

My apologies to other contributers on this topic for directing this particular question to the last correspondent. Thank you so much 'minicamper', exactly the information we were looking for. As you can imagine, we were concerned about the affect of heat on a Sheltie with his double coat, more accustomed to cold weather extremes. How did your dog react to the heat, (and the innoculations etc), and which areas did you visit. Any further information will be much appreciated. Will upload Sheltie image to gallery soon.

Edit. What kind of charges, (if any), were there for a dog on the sites that you visited?  

Don M 

Hi Don M

Absolutely no reaction to any injections or treatments. We met another couple with a Lab, who said that after the tick treatment their dog needed regular toilet breaks (if you get the drift here!) for 24 hours, but we noticed no difference.

Our dog is a bit of a sun lover at home, and often chooses to lie in it. She also slept her way through much of France (ie she is a very good traveller)

We visited the Loire,west coast (Royan and Oleron), Lot valley. Good sunny weather in Sept. Temps seemed to be fine for the dog who enjoyed her sunbathing too. Obviously, she did search out the shade at times, and under the van was a favourite, as it seemed to catch the breeze from whichever direction. Also the shade from table and chairs is big enough for a Sheltie. I guess if you stick to the coast in hotter months, you will be guaranteed sea breezes more or less. Your dog will probably go into summer hair shedding too, so don't forget the brushes!

We are all off to La Manga for the C&CC club rally in Feb., so it must have been easy.

Note, we didn't find any pet exercise areas in Dover or Calais dock area. Eurotunnel says they have one. Be prepared!

Many thanks for the additional info. Our dog is also a good traveller and lies in the area just behind the cab seats, no problem. Contacted vet today for a quote for passport, jabs, treatments, chipping, whole shebang. £140, I nearly snapped his hand off. We just need to contact the CC for a full travel quote including insurance.

Don M