Super Tips For Safe Travels With Your Dog

Taking your dog on holiday

Cats are great, but you can’t take them on holiday. This is where dogs score over their feline rivals. And, with a growing number of holiday options in the UK catering for your best friend, there’s never been a better time to hit Britain’s roads with your pal panting away in the back.

Dog friendly cottages in the UK

Cottage-owners are never slow to spot a niche market, and a growing number of UK websites are springing up offering accommodation for dogs: Canine Cottages is typical.
You might have to pay a small supplement. Apart from that, your pet not being allowed upstairs or on the furniture are the only restrictions you’ll usually face. Next stop: the beach or the hills?
Don’t forget, if you’re travelling by car, that your dog must be secured by law. Driving with an unrestrained pet in the vehicle can attract a fine of up to £5,000 for careless driving. That’s an expensive holiday. A seat-belt harness, pet carrier, dog cage or dog guard are your best bets. If you're looking for a way to keep your car seats or boot clean then a boot liner or seat cover could be just the thing you need on your journey.

How to take your dog abroad

But what about travelling abroad with your dog? Isn’t that about to become awfully complicated for Brits?
Well, it might be, depending on the outcome of Brexit. As things stand (July 2019), as an EU national, you can happily take your dog to EU countries on the European Pet Passport. You can get this from any authorised vet and it must contain details of a valid anti-rabies vaccination.

Taking your dog to the EU post-Brexit

What about travelling with your dog post-Brexit? Well, you can say goodbye to the EU pet passport. On the day the UK leaves the EU, we become a ‘third country’.
Which category of third country we become will determine the pet travel arrangements that come into force. It’s likely that the UK will become an ‘unlisted country’. If so, here’s what you’ll need to do:

1. Get your dog microchipped and vaccinated against rabies before travel. Get a blood sample at least 30 days after their last rabies vaccination. (Your pet might need a booster for this.)
2. Your vet will send the sample to an EU-approved blood testing laboratory, where your dog must be shown to have a rabies antibody level of at least 0.5 IU/ml.
3. Wait three months from the date of the blood sample before you can travel.
4. Get a copy of the test results from the vet.
5. Enter the date of the blood sample on an animal health certificate, which you’ll need from an official vet within ten days of travel.

Oh, and if you’re off to Finland, the Republic of Ireland or Malta, you’ll need extra tapeworm treatment, as these are tapeworm-free countries.

There's so many fabulous dog friendly places in the UK you can visit including from the rolling green hills of the Yorkshire Dales to the stunning Welsh beaches. Whatever you decide, happy travels with your dog. 

Don't forget you can always tag us with #gingerted in your dog friendly adventures. Come rain or shine, we love to be included in your holiday snaps.