Travelling with your pet can be quite challenging especially when going overseas. In order to bring Shelby, my tiny chihuahua, to Europe, she had to be microchipped and then re-vaccinated for rabies. It was imperative that she be microchipped before being vaccinated. A special form had to be filled out by the veterinarian, and then stamped by an agent from the CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency). That was the easy part. Pets are not allowed in the cabin on flights to and from the UK; they must travel by cargo and they are not necessarily on the same flight as you. Plus you have to deal with a third party which deals specifically with transporting pets via air cargo; this can be VERY expensive. Can you imagine Shelby quivering like a leaf in a dark and cold cargo hold for over six hours? I certainly could not imagine putting her through that. So we flew to Paris, France instead and she spent the six hour flight at my feet under the seat in her carrier bag. I sneaked her out for about an hour and let her sleep on my lap under a blanket, until she barked at the flight attendant. I’ve never been scolded by a flight attendant before!
Once in France, Shelby needed to be treated for tapeworms by a veterinarian within five days of entering the UK (a small pill given orally). The rules just recently changed in january; prior to January 1st, pets had to be treated within 48 hours but not less than 24 hours before entering the UK. The veterinarian in Paris was very friendly, and it was quite easy to get Shelby her official pet passport. I guess you could say she has dual citizenship now!
There are only a few approved routes into the UK via France. The easiest and most cost efficient way is to take a train from Paris to Calais, and then board a ferry to Dover, England. At the ferry port in Calais, port authorities had to scan Shelby and verify her passport. Aboard the ferry, Shelby within a rigid carrier box was placed in a designated area below deck. The only other pet on board that morning was a pretty cat named Vespa (named after a bond girl). She had travelled all the way from Africa, and was on her way back home to Aberdeen, Scotland. I wondered if Vespa had to get a blood test three months after her rabies shot since she was coming from an “unlisted” country (according to DEFRA). In any case, I was surprised to see how calm she was; a true jet-setting kitty. I hope she and her caretaker reached their final destination easily and safely.
The rest of the journey involved another train ride, a tube ride (from London Heathrow to Paddington station), and one last train ride to Bristol, England, our final destination. If I could give one piece of advice to anyone wishing to travel with their pet, it would be to travel very lightly. We were fortunate enough to have help from a nice Scottish gentleman (Vespa’s caretaker actually!) who helped carry our luggage. But don’t count on the kindness of strangers, travel lightly, otherwise you may just miss your train ride!
no comments