Traveling with cats and dogs on board in the Med

[Tollos]

I would like to know from liveaboard's in the Med, what the regulations are? Is there any quarintine periods or other hassels involved when entering a foreign port? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif Or would it be better, if possible, to leave them behind?

 

[jimbaerselman]

Quite a large number of live aboards in the Med travel with pets aboard. I'm not aware of any quarantine regulations for pets within the EU (except UK - we've got to keep the vets and kennels in business!). Pets certainly travel free of constraints within all the Schengen countries. There certainly aren't any restrictions entering Greece.

 

[ccscott49]

That just about covers all of it!

 

[MapisM]

If you're concerned about regulations as such, possibly there are some, rather than not.
Dunno for sure, you should be able to check just googling around a bit.
But in practice, I can only quote the other posters: nobody actually care.

 

[Cliveshep]

What happens when you get back to the UK with your much travelled pet is what I'd worry about.

 

[Sandyman]

Anyone know of the current regs re:dogs in Malta ???

 

[giolconda]

We're getting a pet passport for our dog. She's just undergoing the process now. If everything goes to plan, and we keep the passport / paperwork up to date, there's no quarantine for bringing her back into the country. We have to leave and return via a designated route from a listed country, ie by ferry, air, or the chunnel, but this is not a problem for us. Most EU countries are listed, and quite a lot of non-EU.

My vet warned that France in particular is very strict on the rabies vaccination being up to date, to the point where they will destroy your pet if even a day late. I don't have any first hand knowledge of this, perhaps other forumites may.

 

[giolconda]

Malta is covered under the pet passport scheme. For the participating countries see

http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/pets/procedures/support-info/countries.htm

The site explains how the passport works, along with participating countries.

 

[Liz_I]

This is very wierd.... In answer to your question NO there are no problems - Except Malta - where your animal must comply with all that is required for UK. ie microchip/Rabies jab/ Blood Test (everything only becomes valid 6 months after blood is taken) Tick & Tapeworm treatment 24-48hrs prior to embarkation. You must clear customs in person at the entrance to Msida Creek. In 8 years of having a dog on board we have only shown his papers twice. Malta & U.K. We have been Canaries, Azores, Maderia, Gib. France, Spain, Italy, Sicily, Portugal, Croatia etc etc.
The reason now why is this so weird? You are a new user, but no details! 2 weeks ago we added to our crew, a 6wk old kitten called..Etienne!!
BTW We spend a lot of time in France, on the boat and with our camping car, have NEVER been asked to show any papers. JackMeTickler - Maltese regs are as above. Also one of the annomalies of the Pets Scheme one cannot return one's animals to UK on your own vessel!

 

[Melody]

You should read up on the diseases that animals can get in the Med. UK cats and dogs have no immunity so need protection from leishmania, heartworm etc. Much more dangerous to them than rabies which is rare in most places.

 

[Tollos]

/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif I am from South Africa and My wife, Dorothy, and I are Busy selling up to fulfill our dream and if every thing goes according to plan we will be on our way to the Med early next year( 2008)

It realy is weird to think of a cat with such a name.

 

[Liz_I]

Actually, this is Etienne III !! First 2 were L/H ginger toms. This one, however is a white & tabby. The name was from a book read in my youth 'The foxes of harrow' a huge tome charting many generations and based in the Bahamas. One of the main characters was 'Etienne'. Didn't mean that your name was weird - just the co-incidence and timing. Very best of luck with your plans, hope all goes well. BTW think that it (the name) translates as Steven, in French!
Melody, yes we are all aware of other diseases however they are not as common as scare tactics would have you believe. A good all round anti parasite product ie; Frontline with a heartworm pill once a month, only during the mosquito breeding season, is not a huge price to pay.

 

[FAITIRA]

We have travelled to and fro to the UK and Ireland a few times with our Portugese dog with little trouble, she has all the PETS papers, we have just returned to France, Cameret on our way back South. It is vital to keep the jabs etc up to date. PM if you need more info as we are on the move! Bill.