DOG: UK ferry to France/Spain; rabies check
 

A little help from anyone who has taken their dog from the UK via Dover/Calais ferry (DFDS/Norfolkline I am using, but don't guess that makes any odds) then driven through France to Spain (Alicante) please?
Despite being guided by my UK vet, I have just noticed that the UK rabies injection needs to be 21 days or more before entry into EU country. Ours will be only 18 days.
I was wondering if anyone can tell me if they have experience of stops in France/Spain to check this or whether, particularly given the UK is rabies free, it is only a concern taking pets back to UK?

Re: DOG: UK ferry to France/Spain; rabies check
 

The checks are normally done at the check-in before departure from the UK.
Very unusual to get checked in France or Spain, in fact I've never heard of it happening myself.

Re: DOG: UK ferry to France/Spain; rabies check
 

We have brought dogs to Spain through France on several occasions and they are just not interested. The only place you could have a problem is at the ferry terminal in Dover.

Re: DOG: UK ferry to France/Spain; rabies check
 

Hi, we haven't had chance to try the ferry yet, we use the tunnel, but our pet passport never gets checked on the way out of the UK to France only on the way back. Then they are absolute sticklers! Can't blame them though just trying to keep us safe.:thumbup:

Not sure if that helps at all.

Re: DOG: UK ferry to France/Spain; rabies check
 

We have been back twice since the new legislation and a thorough check was done at Calais going to the UK but no checks on the way back. You could of course be the unlucky one but it's highly unlikely.

Re: DOG: UK ferry to France/Spain; rabies check
 

No checks were done in UK, dont think they care to be honest, it is on entry to UK they will go through paperwork etc, are you sure Norfolk line take dogs? just wondering

Re: DOG: UK ferry to France/Spain; rabies check
 

There is no Pet Passport checking when leaving the UK by ferry.

Re: DOG: UK ferry to France/Spain; rabies check
 

The check is done at check-in at the French port before boarding.

Re: DOG: UK ferry to France/Spain; rabies check
 

We use DFDS (formerly Norfolkline) and they do take Pet Passports.

Little tip. DFDS only charge for pets when going from France to UK (about £30). They're free the other way.

P&O charge about £15 each way (even though there's no checking when leaving the UK). So we tend to do P&O Calais to Dover and DFDS on the return trip.

Re: DOG: UK ferry to France/Spain; rabies check
 

What I meant to write is that thorough checks are done before departing foreign ports for the UK.

However I've departed from the UK in the region of 20 times with a dog and on every single occasion the pet passport has been inspected at the UK check in before departure for France or Spain.

I got the impression that this was solely in relation to the rabies jab possibly only to confirm that the dog would be eligible to make a return journey.

Wether or not they would actually allow boarding without a rabies jab or previously a blood test also,I haven't a clue.
In any event I doubt if they'd have advised or allowed boarding to leave the UK without a valid pet passport.

Oh in addition they almost always ask me if I'd like the dogs chip scanned before leaving the UK, simply to confirm it's in correct working order, but that part is not a compulsory check.

Re: DOG: UK ferry to France/Spain; rabies check
 

We've done more than 20 crossings and never been asked for passport in UK. That is by cross channel ferry. Never flown or used the tunnel.

Re: DOG: UK ferry to France/Spain; rabies check
 

Well maybe different ports have different policies ?
I normally sail out of Portsmouth usually to St Malo but occasionally to other French ports or even N.Spain and the procedure at the check-in has been the same every single time.
Wether or not it's compulsory or they are simply acting in an advisory capacity I know not

Re: DOG: UK ferry to France/Spain; rabies check
 

We went through the Chunnel a few weeks ago and our passports were checked on the way out - our friend took her dog to Belgium this summer and the dog wasn't checked on the way out of the UK but she was on the way back xxxxx

Re: DOG: UK ferry to France/Spain; rabies check
 

April last year our dog had all his jabs completed, a passport in his hand and wasnt asked a single question when leaving on the Chunnel
In fact IIRC all we did was wave our passports to the Frenchman at the inspection point and he waved us through.

meanwhile every week 1500 immigrants arrive on our shores, many illegal and unknown.

Re: DOG: UK ferry to France/Spain; rabies check
 

surely they are checking the chip when checking the passport ??
the chip no is on the passport otherwise it could be any dog, not the one issued with the passport !!