 |
 31st July 2010
|
 Getting your pet ready for travel to FranceSince the rulings changed a few years ago, pets are now able to travel with their owners abroad. At least 7 months are required before you plan your trip if you are just visiting. If you are emigrating, only a few months are needed to sort out the rabies vaccination and, 31 days later, the blood test.These are the stages: 1. Have your pet microchipped so that it can be identified at the port. 2. Have your pet vaccinated against rabies. 3. About thirty-one days after the rabies vaccination your pet will need to have a blood test to ensure that the rabies vaccination has worked and a certificate is required to prove this. 4. After vaccination, you will be issued with a passport – not every vet is able to sign and stamp the form - they have to be registered to perform this - so make sure your vet is a registered LVI vet when you book your pet in. 5. You are able to go away at this point BUT your pet cannot re-enter the UK until 6 months after the blood test was taken, so take this into consideration or your much beloved pet would need to go into quarantine to make up the 6 months if you have not left enough time before your holiday. 6. Before your return trip to the UK, all pets have to be checked by a local vet and treated with Frontline or a similar preparation against ticks. They also need to be given a wormer against tapeworm containing praziquantel. For any more details and advice go to DEFRA  I find this such an interesting topic. When the pets passport became available, so many excited Francophiles were delighted as it meant that finally they could travel abroad with their pets. A dear old well-fed Labrador I remember from a few years ago would have had such a different viewpoint. His owners brought him in to get some ACP or acepromazine (little yellow tablets that we prescribe as sedatives and they also prevent motion sickness) as he was regularly car sick and they couldn’t wait to introduce him to the delights of their second home in the centre of France. He had been microchipped, had his rabies vaccination and blood test and it was well past the 6 month period, so he could return home, but I looked at him – large, content with his daily routine and imagined him in a hot car feeling terribly sick and wishing he were home. I was so tempted to ask the owners whether they should consider that maybe he just didn’t want to go... Something to think about! By Arielle Griffiths See also: The Pet Passport Scheme Pets in France Home Page Looking for a property in France? Use FrenchEntrée's Property Finders to help you find your property and to help you through the buying process 
|
Sponsored by
 Animal Couriers to France
 Animalcouriers are IATA Agents who can provide Air Freight Travel Worldwide. Animals are individually housed in good quality accommodation. Pet Passport or Quarantine service. Defra Authorised Hauliers. Find out more.
Pets in France Forum
      |
Search FrenchEntrée |