Francais a la doggies

[Steve_5041610]

Hi all we are thinking of taking are beloved lab on holiday (as usual) to somewhere a bit distant/different this summer. Has anyone any advice/weblinks- as to what vaccinations/passports the pooch may need if we decide to go to France. Thanks Steven

 

[brian_5039922]

just a thought, but over the last few summers the temp in europe has been v high. hardly a hol for your dog travelling down in that heat and spending most of the time trying to find some shade. dogs are not like us the can't strip off and jump in the pool or sea as most areas can be dog free. i wonder if taking a dog quickly into high temps and long car journeys is not a welfare issue!

 

[illyrowell_5040596]

you are too late to go through the formalities to be able to take your dog abroad.

The dog needs an identity chip after which he will be given the anti-rabies injection. At least 30 days later the vet will take a blood sample and send it off to be tested for an adequate level of protection. And here is why you are too late for this year's travel: you now have to wait 6 (six!!) months before the pooch can go abroad. The best month to start all this is late September. You will be able to take the dog the following year from about May.

Coming back you will need to visit a French vet as the dog needs another shot plus a pill against a certain type of worm and tick, This must be done between 48 and 24 hours before you hit the ferry. It is not really as bad as it sounds. After the first go , all you need to do is keep the anti-rabies jab up to date. Our dog has come with us for the last 3 years.The only thing I do not like is the fact that the animal has to stay in the car during the crossing. So this year we are trying the tunnel.At least we all have to stay in the car or near it. Best wishes and success, illy.

 

[Bob_5039947]

Dogs away is what you need:

dogsaway.co.uk

 

[Richard_5041394]

Just to say that we have taken our Cavalier King Charles Spaniel continental touring for the last three years and it has been a thoroughly stress free and enjoyable experience. Clearly your dog has to be happy in the car, and be a good traveller (this applies as much here as abroad anyway), and - same as here - be aware if the weather is hot. We always go in September, which has been warm enough for us, and fine for the dog too! We've enjoyed high mountain walks in the Alps in France & Switzerland, we've done cable cars across glaciers, cog railways in the snow, boat trips on Lakes Geneva, Lucerne and Lugano, went to Venice on one trip, the Gorges of southern France on another, and also had a few days in Paris last time with no difficulties at all - being a small breed helps of course, more 'portable'!. Our dog is more travelled than some people I know! France particularly is very 'dog friendly', you can take dogs into lots of places you can't in the UK. I'm sure if your dog is 'one of the family', and generally stays with you, it will be the right thing to take him/her along. You have already been warned that if you haven't been microchipped and vaccinated yet, then it will take you at least 6 months to get a validated Pet Passport. That isn't actually too late for this year - if you start now, and go late (September maybe?). Go to your own vet practice ASAP, they will have all the details. After this first year its just a case of an annnual booster to keep the passport valid; the system has improved during the last couple of years. If you use a short sea crossing (Calais), there is no problem for the dog in staying in the car - ours just sleeps for the hour or so of the crossing! also there are several large vet practices in Calais that provide a 'walk-in' 'no appt. necessary' service for your tick & tapeworm treatment, required at least 24 hrs before return sailing. We prefer to get back to Calais ahead of our departure day, stay on a site nearby, check out the location of the vet, get the jabs done and then take the opportunity to stock up with all that heavy stuff at the Hypermarkets ready for the easy hop onto the boat at the appointed time. Easy!! Happy Travelling. Richard.

 

[Stuart_5041833]

A word advise from a vet, "no way, don't even consider it". The injections and vacinations don't go far enough to cover your beloved pet and the hot weather just adds to the stress. If you really love your english born and bred four legged friend then you will find a friend or family member to look after them whilst you are abroad. Four out of five good and I mean good vets will give similar advise and the RSPCA also advises against it. The law against pets going abroad has only recently been lifted in the past few years, ask yourself why!!