Worldwide Insure

Whether you are thinking of taking your pet on an adventure, or you need logistical advice for a home move, we share essential tips to make sure you and your pet aren’t parted along the way.

Travelling to Europe with a pet is becoming more common. It helps avoid costs at kennels and catteries, and it allows everyone to enjoy the companionship of the family’s ‘best friend’. As well as holidaymakers taking pets across borders, there are also many people with second homes overseas that want to keep their pet with them at all times. Here’s what you need to know to travel with yours.

Pet Travel Scheme (PETS)

This scheme allows cats, dogs and ferrets to be taken from the UK to Europe and back again without the need for quarantine. There are, however, entry requirements that need to be met.

• Your pet must be microchipped
• The rabies vaccination must be up to date
• You must have a pet passport
• Dogs must have been treated for tapeworm
• If you have 5 or more pets, you will need a ‘fit and healthy travel certificate’

Make sure youe Pet Passports are sorted with the PETS scheme! – Image courtesy of Brittany Ferries

Ticking Boxes

Note that your pet must be microchipped prior to vaccination, or the record won’t count. Also, be aware that you must wait 21 days from the date of the rabies vaccination before travelling. Finally, to make sure that your dog is allowed back in the UK, a tapeworm treatment must be administered one to five days before you are scheduled to arrive back in the country.

The Pet Passport

This is a collection of paperwork that has your pet’s microchip number recorded on it and details of any vaccinations and treatments your pet has had. Each time you visit the vet, it is essential that your vet updates and records the chip number on the vaccination record.

Modes of Transport

To comply with PETS, you must use an “authorised carrier and an approved route”. Fortunately, pet travel is quite widely accepted and you will find that most mainstream ferry companies allow pets, as does Eurostar, and many airlines. Note that budget airlines such as easyJet and Ryanair do not offer facilities for pets, although guide dogs may be an exception.  There are two downloadable lists available that cover approved routes, these can be found by searching for: gov.uk pet air routes and gov.uk pet sea and travel routes.

Check our Brittany Ferries’ guide to travelling with pets on their ferries:

Pet Welfare

Before pushing Pooch onto the next ferry, you should carefully consider if the trip is suitable. Sub-zero temperatures in the Alps, and baking hot beaches in southern Spain could cause your pet extreme discomfort. If you do decide that your destination is a good place for your pet, it is also recommended that you take a trip to the vet for a pre-travel check.

• Discuss what the health risks are for your pet at your chosen destination
• Arrange a clinical examination to ensure your pet is fit to travel
• Check vaccinations are up to date
• Ensure that the microchip is working
• Take preventive measure to guard against parasites

The Animal Welfare Foundation have an informative downloadable leaflet on pet travel Taking your pets abroad.pdf and further information can be found on the pet travel overview on the gov.uk website.

Don’t forget your pet insurance! You’ll find all the info you need on our dedicated pet insurance page!

While the weather in Blighty has been unusually warm recently, the nights are drawing in and it is only going to get colder, so what better time to jet off somewhere hot? October is a great month for sunseekers who want to avoid the crowds, but don’t want to miss out on a beach break. Here are our top destinations this autumn!

Dubai

Hot and dry! With temps positively unbearable during July and August, Dubai is a top hot destination in October. 

Temp: 29°

Rain:  1mm

Daylight: 10h

You’ll never be short of things to do in Dubai. It is known for sports, such as skydiving, kite surfing and indoor skiing (a nice break from the heat some would say), and for shopping. Dubai Mall is the largest shopping centre in the world, and just one of 70 in the city – so credit cards at the ready! If you are heading to Dubai to soak up the sun on the sandy beaches, be prepared to pay a hotel to access their private beach, or head to public beaches: Al Mamzar, Jumara Beach Park or Kite Beach. The latter is free, but as you might have guessed is popular with the kite surfing crowd, so likely to be busy.

Beaches in Dubai: Al Mamzar Beach Park, United Arab Emirates. Photo by Fabio Achilli

Canary Islands

A modest but not outrageous temperature and a slight chance of rain makes The Canary Islands a preferable option for some October sunseekers.

Temp: 24°C

Rain:  18mm

Daylight: 7h

Many islands make up the archipelago, which means there is an astonishing amount of beach to go round, 930 miles of it to be precise! Tenerife is the largest of the islands, and home to party paradise Playa de las Americas and the wonderful Mount Teidi, a fabulous volcano and popular tour destination. Gran Canaria is the third largest island, and the place to head for glorious sand dunes. If you are looking for a quiet getaway, we would heartily recommend skipping the sought-after Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, and head for either La Gomera, La Palma or El Hierro.  Whichever beach you end up at in The Canary Islands, you can be sure to find plenty of swimming, surfing and places to relax on the sand.

Playas de las Americas in Tenerfife, Image Courtesy of todotenerife.es

Hawaii

Warm, tropical, blessed with natural wonders and a truly vibrant culture… welcome to Hawaii.   No wonder it attracts around 8 million visitors a year!

Temp: 26°C

Rain: 45mm

Daylight: 8h

There is 750 miles of coastline to explore in Hawaii, as well as volcanoes, lava plains, hula dancing, whale watching, surfing, snorkelling, and, well, the list goes on. While it may have some of the most fantastic beaches in the world, this destination is really wasted on those looking for a nothing-but-sunbathing holiday. A trip here should include taking in all the natural wonders and experiencing the incredibly rich culture. Choosing to do it in October just means that there will fewer of those 8 million people to negotiate on your travels!

Hawaii has almost too many gorgeous beaches to choose from, like Waialea Beach! Image courtesy of lovingthebigisland.wordpress.com

While these are our favourite places to head this October, other fantastic places to go include Cape Verde, Cyprus, The Red Sea and Tunisia. Whichever you head for, just make sure you don’t forget your sun cream (and your sarong!), and make sure you call us for a competitive insurance quote, especially if skydiving is on your agenda!