Taking Your Animals and Pets to France
It is now easier to take your pets away with you on holiday or when you move to another country thanks to the European Pet Passport which allows dogs, cats and ferrets to move freely around Europe.
The European Pet Passport
The European pet passport is a little booklet which acts as a passport for your animals and issued by a licenced vet. Before issuing the passport the vet has to confirm that the animal;
is identified by a micro chip in the neck or tattoo in the ear
has valid vaccines against rabies has had a blood test to confirm the vaccine is in the systemThe booklet contains information such as animal identification number and proof of a recent rabies vaccine. It is valid for the life of your pet as long as the appropriate vaccinations are kept up to date.
Please note that if your pet has not been vaccinated against rabies before then a blood test will be needed 21 days after the vaccination and then your pet will have to wait for 6 months before being allowed to travel.
Bringing cats, dogs or ferrets to France on holiday
If you want to bring your pets to France with you on holiday then each pet must have a full and valid EU Pets Passport in order to return to the UK without being quarantined for 6 months.
Before returning to the UK you will need to visit a French veterinary surgeon in order to carry out flea and tick treatment this must be carried out between 24 and 48 hours before your pet is due to travel back to the UK. After your pet has been treated the vet will stamp and sign your pets passport to prove they have been treated, without this your pet will not be allowed entry to the UK.
Your pet must be at least 3 months old to travel.
Bringing cats, dogs or ferrets to France permanently
If you are moving to France permanently with dogs, cats or Ferrets and do not plan to return with them to the UK then you need to make sure that each animal has a valid pet passport.
Although not compulsory it is advisable to get your pet treated for ticks, worms and other parasites as these can be common in France and your pet may not have had the chance to build up resistance in the UK.
Your pet must be at least 3 months old to travel.
Bringing birds to France
The EU rules concerning the moving of birds around Europe have been tightened in response to the recent bird flu alert. However it is thought that these rules may be relaxed in 2011.
A family is allowed to bring 5 birds into France from the UK per family unit not per individual. Each bird must fulfil one of the following criteria;
- A 30 day quarantine prior to leaving the home country
- A 30 day quarantine after the bird arrives in France
- The bird has been vaccinated and re-vaccinated at least once against avian influenza, with the H5 vaccine. The bird must have been vaccinated within the last six months and not later than 60 days prior to departure from the home country.
- A quarantine for at least 10 days before leaving the UK and a test to detect the H5N1 antigen or genome
Bringing horses to France
Horses may be brought into France as long as they have a horse passport. Please contact DEFRA, on the details below, for further information.
Bringing other pets to France
Other pets such as rabbits, gerbils, guinea pigs and reptiles, may travel to France without a passport but you should declare that you are travelling with them when you leave the UK. However, it is also advisable to obtain a certificate from your vet stating that your pet is in in good health as this may be requested.
An individual can bring up to 5 animals each into France as long as they are personal animals and not for commercial purposes.
Please note that French owned boat transport companies will not allow rabbits onboard as it is considered bad luck in France.
Further information
The Department for Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) provides comprehensive information on the Pet Passport and generally travelling with animals in and out of the UK.
Natasha Wright is the Owner Editor of [http://www.guide2brittany.com] Guide2Brittany is the essential English language guide to the Brittany region of North West France. Guide2Brittany features property for sale in Brittany, property for rent in Brittany, holiday accommodation - gites, campsites, hotels in Brittany, Brittany classifieds, events and whats on Brittany, Brittany regional news and a vast information center for both Brittany and France. Guide2Brittany is perfect for residents of Brittany, property hunters, holidays makers and anyone who love the Breton region!
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