Taking a dog abroad

Bubbles911

Hi

I despreatly need a holiday somewhere hot but love my dog to bits and dont want to leave him. I heard about the pet passport scheme and looked into it but it seemed quite complicated. I was wondering if someone has done this previously and can tell me about their experiences so I can make my mind up. Im hoping to go in January so the uk isnt an option, thinking of spain or Turkey so its warm but not really hot if you get me.

I thought knowing what to expect would be useful for other dog lovers too.

Thanks a lot.

hotcookie101

Taking your pet this january isn't an option either if you haven't started the pet travel scheme process-it takes at least 6months +3 weeks (possibly 2 depending on vaccine) from getting rabies vaccination to be able to bring dog back into the country
1-get chipped (if not already done) and rabies vacc
2- 3 weeks after vacc have blood test taken to check vaccine has worked
3-as long as pass blood test can have pet passport issued but dog is not entitled to return to UK until 6months from date of blood test, if fails blood test-repeat step one and two until passed test

so you really need to plan 7 months in advance to take them away, so as I said if you want to go this January you wont be able to bring dog
Hope this helps

Soot2006

The procedure

Have your pet microchipped
Before any of the other procedures for PETS are carried out, your pet must be fitted with a microchip so that it can be properly identified

Have your pet vaccinated
After the microchip has been fitted your pet must be vaccinated against rabies. There is no exemption to this requirement, even if your pet has a current rabies vaccinatio

Arrange a blood test
After your pet has been vaccinated, it must be blood tested (3 weeks after vaccine) to make sure that the vaccine has given it a satisfactory level of protection against rabies

Get PETS documentation
For animals being prepared in an EU country, you should get an EU pet passport. If you are preparing your animal in a non-EU listed country you will need to obtain an official third country veterinary certificate although note that Gibraltar, Norway, San Marino and Switzerland are also issuing passports

6 months after the titres test, the dog may travel into the UK

Before your pet enters the UK, it must be treated against ticks and a tapeworm
Your pet must be treated against ticks and tapeworms not less than 24 hours and not more than 48 hours before it is checked in with an approved transport company for its journey into the UK. Loads of vets do this in Calais if you are driving from far away!

And here is a list of non-EU countries signed up to the scheme: http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/pets/procedures/support-info/other.htm

simpywimpy

Have you thought about how you would travel there? If you're planning on a flight, it would be expensive to take your dog and not very pleasant for the dog either in the hold. I wouldn't think it worth the hassle for the dog to take it with you for a short holiday. I love my dog as well and would take him everywhere with me but it's not fair on him to go on a plane, he would be scared stiff!

I know if you go on the ferry it's about £40 each way, plus the cost of a vet visit before you can bring them back in.

The passport system is expensive to do as well. Mine has one just in case I take him over to france one day but he hasn't been yet and his bi-annual booster shots are £35.

simpywimpy

I think the thomsonfly website has details of taking your dog on a flight to spain and I think the canaries

Bubbles911

Thanks for your advice everyone. I think I need to look into it a bit more. I just cant bear the thought of leaving him, sad I know! Would rather stay at home than leave him regardless of how much i need a holiday! I waited over 15 years for a dog and cherish every minute.

It has been really helpful reading your responses.

Bubbles

pboae

We take our dog over to France once or twice a year, because I don't like leaving him home either. Yes the passport is a pain to get sorted originally, but after that it's easy enough as long as you keep the vaccinations up to date.

We've thought about going over to Spain with him, but it's a hell of a drive unless you take the overnight ferry to Spain, and their are complicated dog laws for some breeds and additional diseases to worry about, so we stick to France.

So if you think you might want to do it sometime, you may as well start the process now so that you can do it eventually.

oystercatcher

Why not book a holiday in the UK ?

Oystercatcher

Bubbles911

The weather! My dog is a chi and hates the cold (got him a coat but he still refused to walk today so had to carry him on both our walks so at least he got the fresh air!), I am planning to take him to Cornwall to stay with a friend in the summer but at the moment it is so cold he wouldnt enjoy it.

Swan_2

simpywimpy wrote: »

Have you thought about how you would travel there? If you're planning on a flight, it would be expensive to take your dog and not very pleasant for the dog either in the hold.

do they always travel in the hold? that sounds nightmarish

I was flying from Spain to Paris recently & a couple took their Chihuahua in his carrier like hand luggage
maybe only mainland Europe though?

Swan_2

Bubbles911 wrote: »

The weather! My dog is a chi and hates the cold (got him a coat but he still refused to walk today so had to carry him on both our walks so at least he got the fresh air!), I am planning to take him to Cornwall to stay with a friend in the summer but at the moment it is so cold he wouldnt enjoy it.

I know what you mean

my daughter has 2 Chi's, one is a semi-longhair (very weird, KC registered & born from a long line of smooth coats ) & she's fine with the weather
the other is a tiny, very short haired smooth coat & she's really feeling the cold, doesn't want to go out at all these days. I walk them for my girl while she's at Uni & the looks I get 'coaxing' this miniscule dog along the road :rolleyes: