Taking PETS Abroad

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Tell me about the PETS travel scheme

PETS Travel Scheme

Pets travelling on the PETS travel scheme can be booked Online, for bookings that include animals travelling on an export licence please call 021 4277 801.

Brittany Ferries has absolute discretion to accept or refuse any passenger, their vehicle, their pets or their luggage on board. An administration fee of €44 (Ireland to France) and €55 (France to Ireland) will be made per animal on Cork to Roscoff Sailings. An administration fee of £16.50 (UK to France) and £24.75 (France to UK) will be made per animal on Channel routes. An administration fee of £27.50 (UK to Spain) and £38.50 (Spain to UK) will be made per animal on crossings to and from Spain.

We will not accept bookings:

• On the day of departure
• For unaccompanied pets
• For those travelling by foot, bicycle or motorcycle
• For rabbits
• For ferrets (Roscoff to Cork)

FERRETS: Brittany Ferries are not licensed to, by way of our contracts with DEFRA, bring Ferrets from Roscoff to Cork under the Pet Travel Scheme, however we are able to carry them Cork to Roscoff, but we will not check the ferrets passport.

All Brittany Ferries routes are approved for participation in the PETS scheme. This applies only to cats and dogs returning from qualifying countries into the UK or Ireland. Before returning to the UK or Ireland it is the owner’s responsibility to ensure that they provide the following:

• A valid and approved veterinary certificate showing that their pet has been micro chipped, vaccinated and blood tested for antibodies to rabies. N. B. Allow at least 7 months for vaccinations before travel.
• A valid and approved certificate showing the animal has been treated against ticks and fox tapeworm not less than 24 hours, and not more than 48 hours, prior to returning to Ireland. The owner should ensure that their chosen vet stocks the correct certificates. If you need further information, Please contact the "The Department of Agriculture & Food" helpline on 1890 504 604 or consult your own vet. Tick and tapeworm treatment must be administered by a vet between 24 and 48 hours before embarking from a foreign port. An official certificate is required from the country in which treatment is carried out. This must be signed, dated and include date and time of treatment. If the certificate does not comply with this, we regret that we will not be able to carry the animal under the Pet Travel Scheme. When planning your return journey on any of our routes, please give careful consideration to the timing of the tick and tapeworm treatment. Distressing difficulties can arise if things go wrong and return travel is jeopardized. With this in mind, we do not recommend travel out of France or Spain early in the week, as it may be difficult to obtain the necessary certificate from a vet at weekends. Please check in earlier than other passengers in France or Spain (refer to your travel document for details) to ensure that enough time is allowed for the formalities to be completed.

Cork-Roscoff, Cross-Channel and Spain crossings

• The animal’s owner/escort will be solely responsible for the behaviour and welfare of their pet(s) at the port and on board, and for compliance with the PETS travel scheme’s provisions. They are also responsible for ensuring that the animal is sufficiently fit and healthy to withstand the intended journey. You are recommended to seek the advice of your own vet about health and travel concerns. At all times it is the owner/escort’s responsibility to comply with the regulations governing pets travel. Brittany Ferries cannot be held responsible if the animal is refused travel due to incorrect documentation.
• Animals will only be permitted to travel in the owner/escort’s vehicle (N.B. See below for exceptions). There should be sufficient space for the animal to move freely, and you should make the animal as comfortable as possible, using absorbent bedding, equipment and toys with which the animal is familiar with. Before leaving your vehicle you must ensure that the animal(s) will have enough ventilation. This will normally mean that one or more windows will need to be left partly open, but it is important also to ensure that the animal(s) cannot escape. Please make sure that all doors are locked. You should also take with you any valuables that you may be carrying, as the Company cannot accept responsibility in the vent of loss, theft or damage caused by pets or otherwise.
• When travelling on mv Pont-Aven on the Cork to Roscoff and Plymouth/Portsmouth to Santander routes, kennels will be provided for dogs. Whilst any other domestic pet must remain in the owner/escort’s vehicle throughout the journey, dogs must occupy the kennel provided. Access will be provided for owner/escorts to the kennel area during the voyage.
• Pet carrying vehicles will be issued with a special sticker on arrival at the port. It is an offence to remove this sticker before leaving the port of destination. Failure to comply with this regulation could result in the animal being placed in short term quarantine.
• For reasons of hygiene and the comfort of others passengers, animals must remain either in your vehicle, or in the kennel provided. Animals will not be permitted in the passenger area in the ship.
• At the discretion of the crew and conditions permitting, owners/escort’s may visit their animal on the car deck at pre-arranged times during the course of the voyage. Please report to the Information Desk on board at the beginning of the voyage for details of visit times.
• The carriage of pets is subject to availability. We will not accept bookings for animals at the port on the day of departure. All animals are carried entirely at the discretion of the Company, who reserve the right to refuse travel at any time.
• If any element of the PETS certification or microchip procedures should fail, we will only carry the animal if quarantine arrangements have been made for arrival in the UK. Any such arrangements and subsequent costs will be the full responsibility of the pet owner/ escort.
• In order to minimize failures upon return, it is part of the Company’s procedures, wherever practical, that microchips are scanned and checked prior to departure from the UK or Ireland.
• Please note that dogs are now required to wear muzzles at all times they are outside the owner’s vehicle, either during the check-in process or during transfer on board if occupying a kennel. Owners must provide the muzzles and remain responsible for their pet’s behaviour at all times.

Passengers should be prepared for an inspection upon entry into the UK or Ireland, to ensure that all procedures have been properly followed and that documentation is in order. A failure at this stage could result in the pet being either re-exported or placed in quarantine (at the owners expense).

Owners/escorts are solely responsible for being aware of, and complying with, regulations in their country of destination. They should also be aware that some countries have prohibitions and special regulations regarding certain dog breeds, and that they may be refused entry or transit. Please contact the appropriate authorities (e.g. the Embassy) of the countries you are traveling to and through, or "The Department of Agriculture & Food" for further information. Brittany Ferries will not accept any responsibility if your pet is refused entry to the country of destination, or any country in transit.

Further information and reservations please call 021 4277 801

We look forward to transporting you and your pet(s) in the near future.

"The Department of Agriculture & Food" Helpline: 1890 504 604

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On which routes can I take my pet?

All of Brittany Ferries routes are DAF approved for participation in the PETS travel scheme. The scheme only applies to cats and dogs returning from qualifying countries into Ireland.

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Can I take my pet on holiday with me (cats and dogs only)?

Yes. Brittany Ferries participates in PETS (The Pets Travel Scheme). If booking a Brittany Ferries holiday, when searching through our holiday accommodation properties you will be notified when a property allows pets.

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Can pets be booked online?

Pets travelling on the PETS Travel Scheme can be booked online. If you need to book a pet travelling on an export license please call our Reservations Department on 021 4277 801. Lines are open from 09.00 – 17.30 Monday to Friday and from 09.00-13.00 on Saturdays. Lines are closed on Sundays.

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How often can I visit my pet during the crossing?

Owners/ escorts may visit their dogs in the kennels at any point during the crossing. Animal on the car deck may be visited at pre-arranged times during the course of the voyage, at the discretion of the crew, conditions permitting. Please report to the information desk on board at the beginning of the voyage for details of visit times.

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Do quarantine regulations still apply?

Quarantine regulations still apply to animals being brought into Ireland that are not travelling under the PETS passport scheme.

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Can I take my Pet as a foot passenger?

Foot passengers are NOT permitted to carry animals.

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How much does it cost to take my pet with me?

€44 (Ireland to France) & €55 (France to Ireland)
£16.50 (UK to France) & £24.75 (France to UK)
£27.50 (UK to Spain) & £38.50 (Spain to UK)

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Where are animals kept whilst on board?

Two sizes of kennels are provided for dogs onboard the Pont-Aven on the Cork to Roscoff and Plymouth/Portsmouth to Santander routes. Animals are not permitted in the passenger areas of the ship. (except guide dogs)
Find out more about the Small Kennels
Find out more about the Large Kennels

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Important information about booking a pet

We will not accept bookings for pets on the day of departure, for unaccompanied pets, or for those travelling by foot, bicycle or motorcycle.

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What do I need to travel with my pet?

• A valid DAF approved veterinary certificate showing that their pet has been micro chipped, vaccinated and blood tested for antibodies to rabies. N.B. Please allow 7 months for vaccinations before travel
• A valid DAF approved certificate showing the animal has been treated against ticks and fox tapeworm not less than 24 hours, and not more than 48 hours, prior to returning to Ireland. The owner should ensure that their chosen vet stocks the correct certificates
• A declaration, signed by the owner on departure from France, that the animal has not travelled outside the qualifying countries in the 6 months before travelling into Ireland

If you need further information, please contact the DAF Helpline on 1890 504 604 or consult your own vet.

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What tick and tapeworm treatment do I need for my pet?

Tick and tapeworm treatment must be administered by a vet between 24 and 48 hours proir to return to UK/Ireland. An official certificate is required from the country in which treatment is carried out. This must be signed, dated and include date and time of treatment. If the certificate does not comply with this, we regret that we will not be able to carry the animal under the Pet travel scheme.

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How do I check-in with a pet?

If you are travelling with a pet, you must check in at least 90 minutes before the scheduled departure. Pet carrying vehicles will be issued with a special sticker on arrival at the port. It is an offence to remove this sticker before leaving the port of destination. Failure to comply with this regulation could result in the animal being placed in short term quarantine.

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Do I have to pay a supplement at a property for my pet?

If taking pets to a property an extra deposit or very rarely an extra payment (max 15€) maybe requested. Full details will be provided with travel documents.

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