Hi everyone apologies this is a real "daft laddie" request but thats me!
we have a small dog and have never had to take it abroad with us as my son has always dog sat. However he has now moved away so isn't available and I don't fancy pooch in kennels as he was a rescue dog and doesn't really react too well to kennelling although he is perfect now with us.
We are therefore now in the situation where if we want to take the MH to France we need to take him with us.
Now I know it should be simple but I cant make head or tail of the pet passport system having spent quite a while on tinternet this afternoon.
Could anyone give me a real idiots guide or point me to a straightforward (up to date) website.
How do we get a passport and what do we then need to do to take him to France and get him back into UK?
regards
John
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Take him to a vet they will do all that is necessary for the passport,on return to the UK you need to visit a vet in France, between 120 and 24 hours before the ferry departs,to have him treated for worms it is as simple as that.
Saxo1
Wow that actually sounds doable! internet had me totally confused with talk of blood tests etc. I presume there are vets in and around eurotunnel who are well versed in what to do.
In simplicity what Saxo has said is correct but the vet will need to microchip the dog if not already done and give aa rabies injection then later take a blood test. It does take a little time so advance planning is required. See your vet early on.
Any vet in France around the channel crossing points is well versed in what to do on your return to UK but you don't need to wait until you get to the ports. Your local vet in your holiday location will be able to do the necessary and your campsite will more than likely help you find a vet.
Maybe they get a back hander on recommendations.
------------- Steve
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I may not have made it clear but prior to going to France you need to see a UK vet for the necessary Rabies injection who will then issue you with the passport and should be able to explain the procedure.
On return to the UK you visit a French vet for the worm treatment and get the passport signed and dated with the time of treatment.
Most Franch vets near the channel ports are familiar with the procedure.
Saxo1
Forgot to say that the dog must be microchipped, the UK vet will do it,if it isn't already, before a passport can be issued.
It really is simple.
Saxo1
Saxo1 is quite correct. No blood test necessary now under DEFRA's up to date rules.
You need for your pooch to be microchipped in the first instance. Then they need a rabies jab - this needs to be at least three weeks before you travel (used to be Six months). No blood test now.
Your vet then needs to fill out a blue pet passport with where the micro chip is within your dog, the batch number of the rabies vaccine and a fitness to travel statement. And off you go!
We google or ask for a local vet rather than wait until we are back up near Calais. Most French vets speak reasonable or very good English. We also take our own worming treatment (Bob Martin one as it complies with the regulations) and the vet will examine the dog and oversee them taking the tablet. Our one earlier this month also weighed her, took her temperature and gave her a proper once over. She then filled in the passport and stamped it for us - this usually cost us approx €20-25.
At Calais when we handed in our pet passport at border control, they passed us a scanner and asked that we scan our dog's microchip. Luckily, the French vet tipped us off that the chip had moved from left shoulder to right and I was able to locate it easily enough. And then onwards back to Blighty! We had a special sticker on our windscreen indicting we had a pet on board, but we're not stopped or anything upon disembarking.
Once you have the pet passport it really is very easy. I hope this helps and that you enjoy many a holiday with your dog.
Speaking as a vet you have all got the relevant points in your messages.
The blood test has gone as you have all said.
Main points - You need to have the rabies injection 3 weeks before your return trip not your outward crossing. This must be exactly 3 weeks or more if you turn up after 20 days they will not let bring the dog back into the UK.
The worming is for tapeworm and the vets around Calais are competing for business so they keep the prices down, in saying that 25-30 euros for worming tablets is expensive.
The pet passport has two places to sign for a return trip.
1. Fitness of the animal to travel
2. They have been wormed
Both signatures are included in the fee of 25-30 euros
This is all now very clear and I am heartened that we can take monsieur le Spike to the continent rather than being confined to Skeggy! (not that there is anything wrong with Skegness mind).
Our dog is microchipped as he was a dogs trust rescue and I have booked him in today for the once over etc. Now I know that bringing him back is straightforward we can start to make plans.
Thanks to everyone for the good advice.
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