Caravanning with pets

For many, a pet is an extension of the family and the thought of leaving them behind in a kennel or cattery to jet off on holiday just doesn’t feel right, or add up.

For the 945,000 Britons choosing to holiday in their caravans and motorhomes, what to do with their pet is not something they need worry about. Regardless of whichever stunning UK holiday destination caravan insurance customers are headed, their four-legged companion can usually go along for the ride.

But whilst no one is disputing the appeal of the Great British Isles, there is definite dampened enthusiasm for the so-called Great British Summer.

To guarantee sunshine you need to head further afield which means taking a ferry or tunnel crossing to a foreign destination. Thankfully, this no longer sentences your furry friend to an unwelcome return to the kennels or cattery – you just need to get your paws on a Pet Passport.

  • The Pets Travel Scheme (PETS) and the EU Pet Passport

    The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is responsible for pet passports in the UK.   If you are planning to travel to what Defra calls a “listed” country (which includes favourite holiday destinations such as France, Spain, Italy and Portugal), your cat, dog or ferret can re-enter the UK without quarantine provided they meet the rules of the scheme.  These simple steps will help you get it right before you set off on your trip:

    1. Have your pet microchipped so it can be properly identified.

    2. Have your pet vaccinated against rabies or make sure that boosters are kept up to date.

    3. Arrange a blood test to make sure the vaccine has given it a satisfactory level of protection against rabies.

    4. Get Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) documentation such as an EU Pet Passport.

    5. Before your pet re-enters the UK, it must be treated against ticks and a tapeworm.  Treatment must be administered by a vet not less than 24 hours and not more than 48 hours before travel.

     

    Finally, please be aware that there is a limit of five pets per person when travelling to or from a listed country.

    Once you have followed these simple steps your pet is ready to accompany you on your travels.