If anyone is thinking of taking their dog abroad by car, I can only say that the channel tunnel is really the way to do it. Very, very easy, and quick (the actual crossing is about 35 minutes), and because you stay with the car the whole time, it's not at all distressing for the dog. The ferry is more difficult, because dogs have to stay in the car, while the owners have to LEAVE the car - and the ferry takes much longer. In order to travel abroad, the dog has to be microchipped and have a pet passport, and on the return to the UK you have to visit a vet between one and five days before travel, and have a worm treatment administered, and this is noted in the passport. But apart from that, there is no other paperwork involved. Personally, I prefer the ferry, but would now choose the tunnel every time, if I had a dog with me. You just have to block the thought from your mind that you are in a car. On a train. In a tunnel. UNDER THE SEA.
Re: Channel tunnel versus ferry Thanks for this Karen . Yes , thats the bit that bothers me, the " under the sea " part : : We brought four dogs and a ( very cross ) cat back from France to live in England in 2006 , came via Roscoff/Plymouth ferry , never again , rough sea and stressed out pets , crossing was also 10 hours, just awful
Re: Channel tunnel versus ferry Oh that sounds dreadful Kate! Gosh, four dogs and a cat!! Forgot to say, you also of course have to be up to date with inoculations, and this is particularly true for the rabies vaccination. But you do all that in advance.
Re: Channel tunnel versus ferry Well I think I would leave pets at home if I could and take the ferry (or better still a plane ;D ) I still have a bit of a thing about going under the Clyde tunnel in Glasgow. Relatively speaking its very short!! I just can't get it out of my head that going through there are drips of water falling on my car and a whole big big big body of water up there waiting to crash down. :-\ I CAN drive through it now but would much rather take a detour overground if I can. Nope.....don't think I will be rushing for the Chunnel but interesting to hear your experiences.
