Passport v Kennels

pollyanna24

My whole family has been invited to a family wedding in Ireland in August and so my usual babysitters are going to be coming with me.


I have looked into kennels (or rather host families as I don't like the idea of kennels) for my staffie, but just wondered if an alternative idea would be to obtain a passport for her.


Kennels is going to cost me about £230 for the week (plus I will have to get her vaccinated, wormed and a flea treatment done).


We are most likely going to be hiring a car and cottage out in Ireland near our family and near the wedding, so as long as pets are allowed, this would work.


Does anyone know how much hassle and cost obtaining a passport would be? And also is it expensive taking a dog on a plane, or would a better option be to drive over there and take the boat (although I'm not altogether sure my car would make such a long distance!).

lee111s

I don't think you'd need a passport to go to ireland on the boat? I think it can get quite expensive to take pets on flights.

pollyanna24

Really? I wouldn't need a passport, wonder how I'd go about finding out. Wasn't sure if Ireland had a list of dangerous breeds as well. Hmm. More homework to be done on the subject me things.


Thank you.

lisajane8482

Advice on taking your pet abroad here:

https://www.gov.uk/take-pet-abroad

teddysmum

I wouldn't stress a dog by putting him on a plane, where he will be left alone in a strange noisy place, when it's possible to go by ferry and be with him most of the time.


There may be problems with using a hire car to transport your dog, so probably best to take your own.

spike241

pollyanna24 wrote: »

plus I will have to get her vaccinated, wormed and a flea treatment done.

Doesn't this have to be done either way?

Katiehound

In this instance the island of Ireland and the Channel Islands are geographically "The British Isles" therefore there are no restrictions on taking your dog to ROI. You do not need a pet passport.

On the ferries your dog has to stay in the car on the car deck whilst you may not. However if your dog is unused to travelling you can ask customer services if someone will keep an ear out for a distressed dog, and they will then contact you. If you are a foot passenger I believe you may take your dog onto the ferry in a pet carrier box. I am not certain about this as my dogs are too large.

IMHO pets are not that welcome in Eire! Very few B&Bs welcome dogs, and even when a "dog welcome" logo is displayed it may mean "You can leave you dog in the car!!"

I would be very wary about taking a pet to a large family gathering. Will you have to keep dashing back to see the dog is fine? Will some one accidentally let it out onto the road? Dearer but safer in this instance to leave it at home in kennels.

orlao

http://goireland.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=goireland&cdn=travel&tm=52&f=00&su=p284.13.342.ip_&tt=13&bt=1&bts=75&zu=http%3A//www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/moving-country/moving-to-ireland/coming-to-live-in-ireland/bringing_pets_to_ireland

I'm afraid that you do need a pet passport since last year to take a dog to Ireland from the UK - you didn't before.

Personally I would advise against taking any dog that is listed in the Control of Dogs Act to Ireland - the law is draconian and is enforced especially in Dublin. The link below gives some useful info.
http://goireland.about.com/od/preparingyourtrip/qt/irishpettravel.htm

I'm speaking here as an Irish person now living in the UK who used to travel back to Dublin a couple of times a year with my dogs (one a Rottie) - they go to homesitters now while I'm away!

Person_one

spike241 wrote: »

Doesn't this have to be done either way?

Took the words out of my mouth.

Katiehound

orlao wrote: »

http://goireland.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=goireland&cdn=travel&tm=52&f=00&su=p284.13.342.ip_&tt=13&bt=1&bts=75&zu=http%3A//www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/moving-country/moving-to-ireland/coming-to-live-in-ireland/bringing_pets_to_ireland

I'm afraid that you do need a pet passport since last year to take a dog to Ireland from the UK - you didn't before.

Personally I would advise against taking any dog that is listed in the Control of Dogs Act to Ireland - the law is draconian and is enforced especially in Dublin. The link below gives some useful info.
http://goireland.about.com/od/preparingyourtrip/qt/irishpettravel.htm

I'm speaking here as an Irish person now living in the UK who used to travel back to Dublin a couple of times a year with my dogs (one a Rottie) - they go to homesitters now while I'm away!

The last time I travelled with my dogs was September last year and there was no problem. I can't believe they are stopping dogs from entering from Northern Ireland- no land borders any more- so the same argument!

orlao

Katiehound wrote: »

The last time I travelled with my dogs was September last year and there was no problem. I can't believe they are stopping dogs from entering from Northern Ireland- no land borders any more- so the same argument!

IIRC it came in October/November time - stupid idea I agree and while I've never thought about the NI - ROI border, that is a very good point!

A quick google suggests that there is an "All Island" policy in place regarding animal movement between North and South even if it mainly refers to farm animals, it might cover domestic pets?

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/animalhealthwelfare/allislandanimalhealthandwelfarestrategy/All%20Island%20Animal%20Health%20and%20Welfare%20Strategy%20Final.pdf

However if you are going to ROI with dogs anytime soon, do check up on the rules because the official guidance on citizensadvice.ie is clear that they do and that is the Irish equivalent of GOV.org so reliable normally.