You are preparing for your holidays and thinking how nice it would be to take your pet with you… after all, your pet is part of the family! However, that thought is suddenly obscured by the overwhelming question: ‘What do I need to do to take my pet with me on holiday?’.
A lot of our customers come to one of our clinics puzzled about all the different (and sometimes contradictory) things they have read online about getting ready to take their pet on holiday, so our expert vets have put together the following “to-do” list to help you plan for a great and safe holiday with your pet.
Remember, preparing in advance will guarantee you and your furry friends a fantastic time and it will also save you from encountering problems that can be easily avoided.
Travelling with your pet within the UK:
To travel with your pet in the UK, make sure your pet is up to date with usual vaccinations, worming and flea treatments. At least 4 weeks before departing, get in touch with your hotel or B&B to check what is their policy regarding pets. Also. get in touch with your vet to check specific risks that could be found in the area you are visiting.
Pet Travel To The EU
From 1 January 2021 onwards, the UK will have Part 2 listed status under the EU Pet Travel Scheme, meaning that if you travel from the UK to Northern Ireland or Europe you will need to follow new requirements.
If you are taking your dog, cat or ferret to the EU for the first time after 1 January 2021, you must complete the following steps. The only new requirement for travel to the EU is the use of a certificate, rather than a pet passport:
- Ensure your dog, cat or ferret is microchipped.
- Ensure you dog, cat or ferret is vaccinated against rabies – pets must be at least 12 weeks old before they can be vaccinated.
- Wait 21 days after the primary vaccination before travel.
- Dogs must be treated against tapeworm 24-120 hours before landing, if they are travelling to a tapeworm free country.
Visit your local surgery to get an animal health certificate (AHC) for your animal, no more than 10 days before travel to the EU. To get an animal Health Certificate you must visit us no more then 10 days before travel as this certificate must be signed off by a vet. In order for this to be issued please bring with you:
- your pet’s microchipping date
- your pet’s vaccination history
To ensure successful entry to the EU you will now need to enter through a designated Travellers’ point of entry (TPE) and show proof of:
- your pet’s microchip
- tapeworm treatment (if required)
- rabies vaccination
There will be no change to the current health preparations or documents for pets entering Great Britain from the EU or Northern Ireland from 1 January 2021.
For more information click here Please note that this information reflects the guidance at the time of writing however as Brexit is an evolving situation, changes are likely to be made as we get closer to the 31st December. We will aim to keep you updated on this.
We would also like to remind you that international travel is ultimately your/owner’s responsibility and The Vet will support you in the process, however you must ensure overall ownership of this process.
Whilst you’re away:
If travelling somewhere hot, it is important to ensure your pet is kept cool. Try and exercise them early in the morning, late during the evenings and remember to provide plenty of shade and water during the day. If they will be walking on hot pavement, you can get shoes to protect their feet. For dogs that tolerate coats, cooling coats are also available.
If travelling without your pet:
Immediately: work out who is looking after your pets, whether that is a kennels or cattery, or a pet sitter at home. It’s important to try and find a place that will suit both you and your pet.
It is important to check with the kennels/pet sitter what vaccinations your pets will need.
If they are not up to date, here is a guide to restarting vaccinations for your dog:
6 weeks before: 1st vaccination (covering distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza and leptospirosis).
4 weeks before: kennel cough vaccination (this is an annual vaccination that is squirted up your dog’s nose!).
2 weeks before: 2nd vaccination (to complete the course of core vaccinations. This will need to have annual boosters). It is important to make sure your dog is up to date with flea and worm treatment before they go into kennels.
We hope you and your pet have a fantastic holiday. If you have any questions about this or anything else, please pop-in to the surgery during our opening hours or gives us a call.
Bon Voyage!
*Depending on the surgery. Please call the surgery you’re planning to visit in advance to check their prices.