At this stage, Eurocamp Holidays will not book dogs for travel through air operators.
Health and welfare advice whilst overseas
Whilst almost all dogs that travel overseas experience no problems whatsoever, it is worth remembering that should you decide to take your dog out of the UK, it may be exposed to diseases which are not present in the UK. As an example, there are some diseases transmitted by the bite of ticks, and parasites such as heartworm and tapeworm. Your dog will have no natural immunity to such diseases and may therefore be more likely to succumb to them. However, remember that the PETS passport scheme is set up in a way that all efforts are made to minimise this risk. For example, your dog will be required by the PETS passport scheme to have a "ticks and tapeworm" treatment before returning to the UK.
We strongly recommend that you consult your vet about your dog’s fitness to travel before you take your dog abroad. Depending on where you are going, your vet may be able to advise you on preventative treatments, on any other precautions you need to take and how to look for signs of ill health in your dog.
In the very unlikely event that your dog shows signs of illness after returning from abroad, explain where it has been so that your vet can consider the possibility of an illness not normally found in the UK. Remember though, thousands of dogs travel overseas every year without incident or illness.
To take your dog abroad on a Eurocamp holiday, you must obtain a PETS passport. This passport allows for your dog to return to the UK without the requirement for quarantine. The PETS scheme consists of a rigid process and timescale of veterinary requirements which can be performed by your local vet. These are:
- Step 1 - Have your dog microchipped. Before any of the other procedures for travel are carried out, your dog must be fitted with a microchip so it can be properly identified.
- Step 2 - Have your dog vaccinated. After the microchip has been fitted your dog must be vaccinated against rabies. There is no exemption to this requirement, even if your dog has a current rabies vaccination. Rabies boosters must be kept up to date. The length of the waiting period before entry to the UK is 21 days afte the first vaccination date. A waiting period is not required for subsequent entries into the UK, provided rabies boosters are kept up to date. If the vaccination is in 2 parts the 21 day wait will be from the date of the 2nd vaccination.
- Step 3 - Get travel documentation. For animals being prepared in an EU country, you should get an EU pet passport. If you are preparing your animal in a non-EU listed country or territory you will need to obtain an official third country veterinary certificate (although note that Croatia, Gibraltar, Norway, San Marino and Switzerland are also issuing passports).
- Step 4 - Tapeworm treatment. Before your pet enters the UK it must be treated against tapeworm. Treatment must be administered by a vet not less than 24 hours and not more than 120 hours (1-5 days) before it is checked in with an approved transport company for its journey into the UK. There will now be no mandatory requirement for tick treatment.
- Step 5 - Arrange for your animal to travel with an approved transport company on an authorised route. Your dog must enter the UK from a listed country or territory travelling with an approved transport company on an authorised route. These steps must be performed in the required order.