Taking your dog abroad is no longer a long, complicated process and is becoming more and more popular. We have made it easy for you with this handy guide, read on to find out more.
Finding a dog-friendly destination
The first step to taking your dog abroad is deciding on where you will be travelling to! It is important to do your research to find out which countries are dog friendly, but also take your own dog into consideration, as each dog has individual needs, likes, and dislikes, which will help determine your choice of holiday.
Alongside choosing where you will be going, it is important to research dog-friendly airlines, so you can choose a flight provider that will be welcoming to you and your pup!
Rules and requirements
The next step in taking your dog abroad is finding out what rules are in place for the country you are travelling to, as they will vary country by country. For example, countries in the EU have a different set of rules than countries outside of the EU.
If you are travelling to an EU country or Northern Ireland your dog will need:
A microchip
A valid rabies vaccination
A valid pet passport or animal health certificate
Tapeworm treatment (if you are travelling to Finland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Norway or Malta)
If your pet passport was issued in Great Britain, it is not valid in the EU and so you will need an Animal Health Certificate. Click here to view the full list of valid countries.
Once you arrive in your chosen EU country, you’ll need to show proof of your pet passport or Animal Health Certificate, your pet’s microchip, a rabies vaccination, and a tapeworm treatment (if required).
There are also restrictions on the number of dogs you can travel with; you can’t travel with over 5 dogs unless you can prove you are travelling for a competition, show, or sporting event.
If you are travelling outside of the EU the requirements for taking your dog abroad tend to be:
An export health certificate
An export application form if travelling from England, Scotland or Wales
Nomination of an official vet who will be sent the export health certificate
When flying with a dog, you also need to have an IATA-compliant travel crate in place for the flight itself! Make sure you also have a car harness, pet carrier, and travel water bottle with you for when you are travelling around your chosen destination.
Make sure you have packed the essentials
Whilst dogs are simple creatures, they do need a number of essentials and home comforts whilst they are abroad. To make the job of packing for your dog easier, we have put together a handy checklist for you to use!
Alongside the basics, don’t forget what you will need upon your return to the UK:
A registered microchip
Proof of rabies vaccination
Your pet’s passport or official veterinary certificate
Proof of tapeworm treatment
Remember, your pet must be travelling in an approved crate and along an approved route.
We hope this has helped to make taking your dog abroad easy and exciting rather than daunting and stressful! If you would like any help or advice, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly team who will be happy to assist you.
