Taking a dog to France

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mikemacdonald

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We have just taken over a small terrier that was from a broken home and we couldn't see him put down. He has taken to the boat and is becoming a real sea dog. He has been chipped, but we don't have his passport or any papers, his previous owner threw it all away when he abandoned him. Would love to take him across to France on the boat, a Prout 37' cat, but am a bit confused as to the regs regarding taking him over and bringing him back. Has anyone done this and what's involved, thanks for any advice. Mike/ Chocolate Goose
 
BW is right. There are companies which will transport pets:http://www.pets2go2.co.uk/
A forumite started a campaign to allow boat owners to carry animals but, as with most minority interests, I don't think it got very far. Top marks for trying, though.
 
Whilst France is out for a dog on a yacht, the Channel Islands are okay. We regularly visit and declare the dog on arrival, bit difficult to miss a black labradoodle stood on the deck when the Harbourmaster comes alongside. Never had a problem so far.
 
l'escargot said:
You need a pet passport for him and you can take him over to France on your boat. It is the return that must be by an approved carrier.
Click to expand...

Last I heard, though, the ferry companies would only accept dogs arriving in cars, not with foot passengers as they used to. People used to drop one member of the family off at the end of a cruise to bring the dog back by ferry, but that would become extremely complicated logistically now that it also needs to involve a car.

Or have they relented again?

Pete
 
prv said:
Last I heard, though, the ferry companies would only accept dogs arriving in cars, not with foot passengers as they used to. People used to drop one member of the family off at the end of a cruise to bring the dog back by ferry, but that would become extremely complicated logistically now that it also needs to involve a car.

Or have they relented again?

Pete
Click to expand...

I don't know the specifics of the individual carriers just that you have to use an approved one for the return journey - but not the outward one which was inferred in some of the earlier posts.
 
l'escargot said:
You need a pet passport for him and you can take him over to France on your boat. It is the return that must be by an approved carrier. You also need a pet passport for Ireland.
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Are you sure for the return? I had thought, perhaps wrongly, that it was OK provided the check-in was at certain authorized points of entry.
 
Sybarite said:
Are you sure for the return? I had thought, perhaps wrongly, that it was OK provided the check-in was at certain authorized points of entry.
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Yes I am sure that L'escargot is correct on this..not only must it be via an approved carrier, but I think all the carriers require the dog to be in a car ...Condor certainly do.
 
I travel back and forth on the ferry from Harwich to Hook each Sunday night and Friday and there is always foot passengers with dogs walking down the ramp.
Bringing them from the UK is easier but taking them back I think you need the passport and a tick treatment or something within 24 hours.
I am sure Defra's website says this. I bought my dog from Australia years ago and that's what the rules were back in 2007. (They may have changed)
 
We had a dog on board which sadly we lost a few years back we have traveled all over European and never had a problem any where he was chip and had a passport , we sailed him in and out of every country we visit very rearly did any one wanted to see his passport when we traveled back home we use to have to drive him back though the tunnel the check where very straight forwards , isn't it time the UK made is a bit easier for cruisers the take our pets with us , we are well behind to everyone else in this matter it just In courage people to brake the law and smuggle pets in all that need to be done is for boots with pets to enter certain port where pet passport can be checked it not that hard.
To answer the OP question , you can sail your dog out , it coming back is the problem , you won't be able to sailin back in .
 
sailaboutvic said:
isn't it time the UK made is a bit easier for cruisers the take our pets with us , we are well behind to everyone else in this matter it just In courage people to brake the law and smuggle pets in all that need to be done is for boots with pets to enter certain port where pet passport can be checked it not that hard.
To answer the OP question , you can sail your dog out , it coming back is the problem , you won't be able to sailin back in .
Click to expand...

Exactly.

I though a benefit to paying all these billions to the EU is things like this are standard?
 
Pete7 said:
Whilst France is out for a dog on a yacht, the Channel Islands are okay. We regularly visit and declare the dog on arrival, bit difficult to miss a black labradoodle stood on the deck when the Harbourmaster comes alongside. Never had a problem so far.
Click to expand...

That is odd as i am in guernsey & there is a rally. Apparently some members of the rally have gone to Dilette instead of guernsey as dogs not allowed in guernsey.( b good job actually!!!)
 
Daydream believer said:
That is odd as i am in guernsey & there is a rally. Apparently some members of the rally have gone to Dilette instead of guernsey as dogs not allowed in guernsey.( b good job actually!!!)
Click to expand...

I believe St Peter Port don't allow dogs on walk ashore pontoons, you have to take them ashore by dinghy. Beaucette don't have any problem with dogs landing.

I know St Helier in Jersey don't allow dogs in boats in the visitors marina but do allow them in Elizabeth Marina - where there are signs saying you should carry them to the boat...

They need to be careful if they've been to Dielette, if their dogs have been landed in France they need to send them back by ferry or they could face having them quarantined or destroyed.
 
nauticalnomad said:
I travel back and forth on the ferry from Harwich to Hook each Sunday night and Friday and there is always foot passengers with dogs walking down the ramp.
Bringing them from the UK is easier but taking them back I think you need the passport and a tick treatment or something within 24 hours.
I am sure Defra's website says this. I bought my dog from Australia years ago and that's what the rules were back in 2007. (They may have changed)
Click to expand...

Stena Line into Harwich allow dogs with foot passengers, there are on board kennels which must be used (£12 eachway) but there is an exercise area. All south coast carriers including Dover, now, require dogs to be carried in a car.
 
chanelyacht said:
Exactly.

I though a benefit to paying all these billions to the EU is things like this are standard?
Click to expand...

Another UK 'opt-out'.

Most of Western Europe has been rabies free for a long time.
What cases there have been, have always involved incidents further afield: Philippines, South Africa, Nigeria, ...
Isn't it about time the UK government stopped pestering people taking their pooch to the Continent for a family holiday?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prevalence_of_rabies#Europe
 
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