obxbeachlover

My husband and I are planning a trip to France and then Scotland this Spring. We have a 13 year old 6 lb.poodle that we want to take with us. I understand that we need to get a passport from our vet - and follow all the international regulations for bringing a pet into a foreign country - which is no problem. The problem arose when I tried to book a flight arriving in Paris and returning from Scotland where I understand that coming or going from Scotland there may not be any pets in the cabin. All pets must come and go in cargo. We decided to take the train back to Paris and return from there. However if I am correct there can be no animals on the Eurostar train. Does anyone have some other suggestions for me?

Obxbeachlover

madamtrashheap

My friend often travels from London to Germany with her (small) dog and the only way she can do so without placing the dog in cargo is by car. She drives to Folkstone, loads the car on the train, then continues driving when they reach Calais.

Allow around 6hrs for the journey from Paris to London, and book ahead for your car to go on the train. As far as I am aware, the ferry operators out of Calais no longer allow dogs either - only know of Stena Lines out of Hoek van Holland, which is a bit (!) out of you way). The issue with a rental car becomes hiring it in one country and dropping it in another - check the fees associated with this as they can be high.

janisj

But collecting a car in the UK and dropping it in Paris - even possible since the UK car will be RHD.

You won't like hearing this -- but leaving your poodle at home w/ a house sitter is probably your best option. (I've shipped pets - a cat and a Scottie - in cargo and will never EVER do it again)

nukesafe

Sorry if I seem accusatory but, as a dog lover, taking a 13 year old dog on a journey like that borders on animal cruelty, IMO.

flanneruk

The only alternatives to putting a dog in the hold from Paris to Scotland are:
- hire a private plane, though that requires complicated groubd handling procedures
- drive yourself (either madamtrashheap's account is hopelessly confused or her friend is inventing the story) on more or less any connection between France and England. On most cross-channel ferries the dog has to stay in the car: by tunnel - the way virtually all dogs now cross - it stays in the car with you.

The logistics of taking a car across the channel are trivial - but the cost of taking a hired car immense. You might investigate Hertz's Le Shuttle, and see whether that will get you to the Folkstone terminal and let you hire a taxi to Folkstone station. There are no significant restrictions on dogs in the passenger compartments of British trains (though be aware that close proximity to dogs is highly offensive to some Muslims.)

The rules for importing animals into the UK or Ireland are unique, and rarely understood by American vets. They include one intervention that, on your stated timetable, has to be carried out by a vet in France (https://www.gov.uk/take-pet-abroad). The list of carriers approved to bring pets in is at https://www.gov.uk/pet-travel-inform...port-companies

You MUST conform meticulously to the UK time limits on tests and medication.

All of which said: are you sure your transatlantic carrier will allow the dog in the cabin?

mamcalice

It would appear that the problem is the Scotland portion of the trip. If you simply must take your dog, why not limit your trip to France. If you can work everything out, this might be an option. The French are very dog-friendly, even allowing dogs in some restaurants.

I know how you feel. We have shortened our trips since we got our Lab - hard to fit her under the seat on the plane! It is probably easier on the dog to leave it at home with a trusted sitter.

obxbeachlover

Thanks to everyone for all this information - at this point it seems almost hopeless. This was to be a special trip for our 50th wedding anniversary. Our dog has traveled extensively her whole life and in fact probably has more airline miles than most people. I had researched the pet travel information and knew the requirements for going into Scotland but just found out about the requirement to have her in cargo upon entering or leaving Scotland. There is no problem in taking her in the cabin on any airlines going into Paris (with proper documentation) the problem arose when we wanted to return from Scotland. I had already rented an apartment in Paris that would allow her and found lodging everywhere in France that would allow her. We have left our dog with a house sitter several times in the past but she never seemed to do very well. These were people she already new and was very friendly with. Unfortunately she has a big separation problem if we are not with her at night. At her age I hesitated to put her through that anxiety if it was possible to take her. Thanks again to all who provided information unfortunately it looks like a nearly impossible situation.

WeisserTee

When we moved from the UK to Switzerland, a pet taxi service drove my husband and our cocker spaniel from Maidenhead to Calais via the Eurotunnel train (not Eurostar). The fare wasn't cheap, but wasn't exhorbitant either. In Calais, my husband and Raisin caught a TGV to Paris and then took a second TGV to Nancy where we all had a happy reunion and lovely long week-end in that handsome city. (I had moved to Switzerland started work two weeks earlier.)

If you caught a train from Scotland to Reading, for example, the same service might be willing to pick you up there and drive you to Calais. If interested, I'll see if we still have the driver's contact details.

hetismij2

Dogs can travel on cross channel ferries in vehicles. They can travel on the overnight Zeebrugge or Rotterdam ferry in a special kennel on the car deck. The same is true of the Amsterdam Newcastle route. Foot passengers can take their dogs on the overnight ferries, but not on the cross channel ferries. So you could, in theory get a train to one of those ports and then continue to Scotland from either Hull or Newcastle, by train or hire car.

Are you certain your dog can travel in the cabin Transatlantic? Do you realise how stressful it will be for the dog, even in the cabin, since it must remain confined in its carrier the entire flight, plus of course all the time at both airports. It will also take up valuable foot room for one of you.

Seriously think about finding a pet sitter for you little pooch. It will ultimately be less stressed by remaining at home with another human, or at a good kennels, than flying around the world in a carrier.
Your holiday will also be a lot less stressed, you will both be able to go into museums and the like together, since you won't be able to leave the dog alone in a hotel room or holiday rental and certainly can't take it into museums etc.

I love my dog dearly, but I would not subject him to that, certainly not at the age of 13. And I actually quite enjoy my couple of dog free weeks away, safe in the knowledge he is being well looked after.

hetismij2

Oh and your dog needs to be microchipped and have a rabies jab before a passport is issued, whether for France or Scotland.
For Scotland you also have to find a French vet to give your dog tapeworm treatment prior to travelling to the UK.

Curiously the Defra website does not list Newcastle as an approved port, whereas the ferry company say the accept dogs on that route.

janisj

Re 'knowing' your dog can be in the cabin' transatlantic .. . Not necessarily so. Yes, the airline may allow that, but AFAIK all have a limit and if there are other pets or service dogs on your flight, you could be forced to 'gate check' your dog.

That happened to a friend traveling to London - there were two other animals already checked in for the cabin so (I think it was Delta) made them put their Sheltie in cargo . . . Even though they had pre arranged to have him in the cabin.

alanRow

Have a search in the following

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travel-pets-645/

<>Curiously the Defra website does not list Newcastle as an approved port, whereas the ferry company say the accept dogs on that route.</i>

North Shields

obxbeachlover

Thank you Hetismij2 for all the information. I have printed all the information for the "passport" required for dogs traveling to Europe. The only thing I have not yet made arrangements for is a vet in France but that shouldn't be a problem. As for the duration of the trip she has previously flown for that amount of time at least 20 times since we have grandchildren across the country from us. Generally most airlines will let us put her in our laps in her bag.

obxbeachlover

WeisserTee
Thank you for the information regarding a driver. I would like very much to get that information if you still have it.