Taking dogs on the ferry
#1
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 110
Taking dogs on the ferry
Has anyone taken their dogs on the ferry, either the shorter route or the overnight, how do they get on and are they sea sick? We are in the beginning stage of hopefully buying in Brittany and I want to make sure I know what we are taking on, and ensuring that we can travel with the dogs back and forth, not often, but that they will not be traumatised. We will do the Chunnel sometimes, but I do like the ferry best
#2
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Joined: Mar 2006
Location: Brussels
Posts: 887
Re: Taking dogs on the ferry
Yeah , with all its troubles , the Chunnel tunnel IS always better ;
otherwise , your dear dog is stranded , inside your car , inside the idiotically unfriedly ferry , for some absolute hours on end ;
one dog-lover to another ?
otherwise , your dear dog is stranded , inside your car , inside the idiotically unfriedly ferry , for some absolute hours on end ;
one dog-lover to another ?
#4
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Posts: 110
Re: Taking dogs on the ferry
I know about the flea and tick treatments within the timeframes, I am just concerned about the actual trip and making it as easy and comfortable for the dogs as possible - I would rather drive further and take the Chunnel if the dogs have to stay in the car the whole time on the ferry
#5
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 30
Re: Taking dogs on the ferry
I know about the flea and tick treatments within the timeframes, I am just concerned about the actual trip and making it as easy and comfortable for the dogs as possible - I would rather drive further and take the Chunnel if the dogs have to stay in the car the whole time on the ferry
Hope this helps.
Dee
#6
Re: Taking dogs on the ferry
If you don't want to leave your animal on its own on an overnight or daytime crossing (eg Portsmout-St Malo or similar), then Tunnel and driving is the option, or Dover-Calais. Boats offer kennels, but crew is easy if you want to leave the animal in your car. If your Passport is in order re injections, then you do not need further injections. However, be aware, rabies jab in France is an annual requirement, UK injection last for three years.As for seasick dogs, not heard of it, humans yes.
#7
Re: Taking dogs on the ferry
Visit the vet and get them a pet passport and all will be well at the customs etc. If you have not already got the passport, remember it does take a few weeks to sort out as the animals have to be vaccinated against rabies and then checked two weeks (?) later I think.
The vets will have all the details.
The vets will have all the details.
#8
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 110
Re: Taking dogs on the ferry
If you don't want to leave your animal on its own on an overnight or daytime crossing (eg Portsmout-St Malo or similar), then Tunnel and driving is the option, or Dover-Calais. Boats offer kennels, but crew is easy if you want to leave the animal in your car. If your Passport is in order re injections, then you do not need further injections. However, be aware, rabies jab in France is an annual requirement, UK injection last for three years.As for seasick dogs, not heard of it, humans yes.
#9
Re: Taking dogs on the ferry
My dog's passport is stamped with the rabies injection saying two years, apparently the English version of the vaccine is stronger than the French, or so I have read on the internet, therefore it says booster required 2011. Would the French authorities think her rabies vaccination is out of date then?
#10
Re: Taking dogs on the ferry
My dog's passport is stamped with the rabies injection saying two years, apparently the English version of the vaccine is stronger than the French, or so I have read on the internet, therefore it says booster required 2011. Would the French authorities think her rabies vaccination is out of date then?
#12
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 11
Re: Taking dogs on the ferry
Taking your dog or any other pet on the ferry is no more a big deal today as many of the UK ferry companies offer pet travel scheme for the passengers. Get one for your dog too at the time of booking your ferry and you can take it with you without any hassles. I too have taken my puppy twice on ferry travel and it was quite ok staying in the car throughout the journey. I didn't face any kind of difficulty in getting back to the UK also. As for vaccination, I think you got enough of useful advises which you must follow. Also ensure that the date of vaccination is not over. Good Luck
#13
Re: Taking dogs on the ferry
Has anyone taken their dogs on the ferry, either the shorter route or the overnight, how do they get on and are they sea sick? We are in the beginning stage of hopefully buying in Brittany and I want to make sure I know what we are taking on, and ensuring that we can travel with the dogs back and forth, not often, but that they will not be traumatised. We will do the Chunnel sometimes, but I do like the ferry best
Some long haul crossings have on-board kennels which may be worth loking into.
#14
Re: Taking dogs on the ferry
We brought our dog from Cork to Roscoff 3 years ago via Brittany Ferries.
Good points: Kennels very clean, stainless steel, sluiced out after previous trip.
Secure, food bowls and water are supplied.
Outer door is on a security code.
Good exercise area on top deck, nicely bracing!
Bad points : Kennels are on the top deck, so dog and belongings have to be transported from the car deck.
Kennels are sluiced out/cleaned so often they never get a chance to dry out. We replaced our dog's soggy blanket with a dry one.
On the whole, facilities are good and secure for a 12 hour crossing, the dog doesn't have to stay in the car for all that time. However the dog does have to be taken back down to the car at least one hour before arrival at port, which may mean an early rise for someone.
Hope this helps.
Good points: Kennels very clean, stainless steel, sluiced out after previous trip.
Secure, food bowls and water are supplied.
Outer door is on a security code.
Good exercise area on top deck, nicely bracing!
Bad points : Kennels are on the top deck, so dog and belongings have to be transported from the car deck.
Kennels are sluiced out/cleaned so often they never get a chance to dry out. We replaced our dog's soggy blanket with a dry one.
On the whole, facilities are good and secure for a 12 hour crossing, the dog doesn't have to stay in the car for all that time. However the dog does have to be taken back down to the car at least one hour before arrival at port, which may mean an early rise for someone.
Hope this helps.
#15
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Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 110
Re: Taking dogs on the ferry
We brought our dog from Cork to Roscoff 3 years ago via Brittany Ferries.
Good points: Kennels very clean, stainless steel, sluiced out after previous trip.
Secure, food bowls and water are supplied.
Outer door is on a security code.
Good exercise area on top deck, nicely bracing!
Bad points : Kennels are on the top deck, so dog and belongings have to be transported from the car deck.
Kennels are sluiced out/cleaned so often they never get a chance to dry out. We replaced our dog's soggy blanket with a dry one.
On the whole, facilities are good and secure for a 12 hour crossing, the dog doesn't have to stay in the car for all that time. However the dog does have to be taken back down to the car at least one hour before arrival at port, which may mean an early rise for someone.
Hope this helps.
Good points: Kennels very clean, stainless steel, sluiced out after previous trip.
Secure, food bowls and water are supplied.
Outer door is on a security code.
Good exercise area on top deck, nicely bracing!
Bad points : Kennels are on the top deck, so dog and belongings have to be transported from the car deck.
Kennels are sluiced out/cleaned so often they never get a chance to dry out. We replaced our dog's soggy blanket with a dry one.
On the whole, facilities are good and secure for a 12 hour crossing, the dog doesn't have to stay in the car for all that time. However the dog does have to be taken back down to the car at least one hour before arrival at port, which may mean an early rise for someone.
Hope this helps.