.png)
For the last 4 years I have dreamt of travelling Europe with Winston. My dog is my best friend, he makes me laugh, he's clever, entertaining and cheeky. He listens to my woes and he goes everywhere with me, out for drives, visiting friends, to the pub and even to work where possible, it's only right he gets to travel with me too! Packing up the car, heading over the channel, seeing new sights, tasting new food and generally just hanging out just me and Winston sounds like a perfect trip but who knew how much planning would be involved.
I’m used to planning trips, I mean planning group tours was even my job for a while but organising a group of 15-20 people was a lot more straightforward than planning a road trip for you and your pup, there is a lot to think about and planning in advance is a must.
In this blog I am basing everything on the experiences I have encountered whilst planning my trip, I would still suggest to anyone planning to travel with their dog to research research research.
Pre travel pet checks:
Since leaving the EU, the rules for pets travelling from the UK to Europe have changed and you need to be organised to ensure everything is completed in the correct time frame. Pet passports issued in Great Britain are no longer accepted (you can still use a pet passport if it has been issued in an EU country or Northern Ireland.) Replacing the pet passport is an Animal Health Certificate. This needs to be obtained no more than 10 days before you travel. Animal Health Certificates can only be completed by an Official Veterinarian and you need to book your appointment in advance. If your regular vet does not offer this service you will need to find another in your area that does. These are expensive and have to be 100% correct otherwise you risk being refused entry to the EU.
The certificate is specific to the country you are entering the EU through but can then be used for onward travel through other EU countries. Your vet will request information about your pet and your travel plans ahead of your appointment, you will also need to take proof of your pets microchipping date and rabies vaccination history.
Once gained, your Animal Health Certificate will be valid after the date of issue for 10 days for entry into the EU or Northern Ireland, for 4 months onwards travel within the EU and for 4 months for re-entry to Great Britain. A new certificate will need to be gained for each trip to the EU or Northern Ireland.
Before your Animal Health Certificate appointment your pup also needs a Rabies Vaccination, this needs to be given at least 21 days before travel / certification and when your pet is at least 12 weeks of age. If you are travelling directly to Finland, Ireland, Northern Ireland or Malta you will also need tapeworm treatment.
Reaching Europe:
Now there are a number of ways to enter Europe, you can go by plane, boat or car. Personally, planes were out of the question before I even started, most airlines do not allow dogs in the cabin and my princess (although he's a male dog) will not be put in the hold. There are a number of different ferries that allow dogs on board, some have pet friendly cabins, some request pets are put into kennels and most insist on pets being muzzled when in public areas, again this was out of the question for us. If you haven't noticed my dog is a pug, have you ever seen a muzzle for a pug? It isn't just a muzzle that goes over the nose and mouth, no, for a pug a muzzle is a full face muzzle and again the princess wouldn't be comfortable with that (yes he is spoilt). So this leaves me with 1 option, car and the Eurotunnel! They have an area designed for dogs at the terminal before you board to stretch their legs and relieve themselves, you get to stay in the comfort of your own car with your dog by your side and although my claustrophobia will be going through the roof it will be worth it for the quick 35 minute crossing from Folkestone to France!
Accommodation:
One of the most important parts of any trip is accommodation. Over the last few years we have seen a rise in places welcoming doggies with open arms and European countries are even more dog friendly than the UK, some big chain hotels are even allowing dogs into their rooms. Some places are fully dog friendly, some are rooms only, some have specific areas for you and your pooch. Because of this booking search engines have made it easier to filter accommodating places. Most booking sites now have a filter where you can select ‘pets are allowed’ or ‘pet friendly’, some booking apps allow you to add your pet into your party on the initial search. Bear in mind some accommodations will charge extra for pets but this should be stated when searching. Some places supply dog beds, towels, treats and bowls but make sure you check this before packing, you don’t want to be missing any home comforts when you arrive. Out of courtesy, although all the places I have booked ready for our trip show as being dog friendly I have emailed each to let them know Winston will be with me, and each response I get explains how they can’t wait to meet him, this puts your mind even more at ease and makes you feel even more welcome!
Food:
You are no longer allowed to take meat or milk-based dog food including treats into the EU unless your Vet has given you written confirmation that your pet requires a certain dog food for medical reasons. You could buy new food once you arrive in the EU but be careful, changing your dog's food could cause an upset belly. Alternatively plant or fish-based products are allowed so I decided that Winston is turning vegetarian for our trip, we spoke to our local pet store to find food close to his usual and have gradually changed over the past few weeks to make sure he is happy, again he's a pug, he's always happy as long as he’s being fed but you can never be too careful! Food and treats need to be carried in their original packaging and sealed when entering the EU.
Winstons Packing list:
This may be a common sense section of the blog but just in case something slips your mind I have listed below what is on Winston's packing list!
Collar / Harness and name tag - I know, I know, who forgets that! But sometimes the obvious things are the things that are overlooked. Although a microchip is a legal requirement for UK dogs it is always best to have tags with owner details on to allow members of the public to return your dog before having to visit a vet if your pup wanders off.
Lead and Seatbelt - Even if your dog is well trained and used to being off lead some places require a lead to be used. Whilst in your car the Highway Code states that your animal needs to be suitably restrained, viola - the doggie seatbelt!
Food and water bowls - I have decided to use ‘travel bowls’ which are collapsible so they are easy to pack and transport.
A portable water bottle - A lot of shops and restaurants will have water bowls for dogs outside however you can't always be sure the water is fresh or know what other animals or stray dogs have drank from these, having a portable water bottle ensures you have fresh water on hand at any point of the day whether it be in the car or whilst out seeing the sites.
Dog bed - For Winston I have a dog bed in the car anyway, this is then taken into each hotel ready for him to snooze at the end of each long day.
Blanket - Along with a bed I have Winstons blanket with us, this is more to make sure he has some home comforts to keep him calm as we move around.
Toys - Again for home comforts and to keep him entertained if we haven't worn ourselves out during the day.
Food / Treats - This I have discussed in its own section above as it isn't as straightforward as taking your usual.
Towel - Although you may plan to be travelling in the dryer months away from the coast you never know when you will come across an accessible lake, a paddle friendly waterfall or when the rain will set in. Always be prepared.
Poo Bags - Any dog mum knows this doesnt really need to be on your packing list you will find a poo bag in every pocket or bag you put your hand in.
First Aid Kit - Just like humans it's always a good idea to carry a first aid kit for your dog in case the unfortunate happens. The Blue Cross suggest the following be in your kit: bandages – a roll of self-adhesive or crepe bandage (5cm width), conforming/open-weave bandages (2.5cm width), some non-adhesive absorbent dressings (5cm x 5cm) to cover open wounds, surgical sticky tape, a box of cotton wool, a box of sterile absorbent gauze, blunt ended scissors, preferably curved, a thick towel, an Elizabethan collar.
Returning to the UK:
On your way home from your trip all dogs (unless coming directly from Finland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Norway or Malta) need to visit a European vet for tapeworm treatment. This treatment needs to be given no less than 24 hours and no more than 120 hours before entering the UK. The vet will need to note this treatment on your Animal Health Certificate. There are plenty of sites showing where you can find vets to administer this treatment and I found it best to research and book an appointment before leaving to make sure you have everything ready to travel home with no stress.
Commentaires