Taking Dogs To Live Abroad

[vernonk]

Have you or anyone you know taken pet dogs to live abroad and, if so, how much did it cost and how complicated was it?

[elgreco]

Very easy. Only becomes expensive if you want to bring them back to the UK

[vernonk]

Roughly how much would it cost to take a dog to live in, say, Spain or Portugal, and how much to bring them back to the UK?

[elgreco]

If you drive, the ferries and channel tunnel charge about 15 pounds per animal. If you fly them, then probably 200 pounds. To bring them back, they will need pet passports which includes microchipping, all normal inoculations plus rabies and a worm treatment about 4 days before travel. the governmant site DEFRA explains it all

[pixie373]

Elgreco is right. My dad moved to France with his alsatians. No problem at all. Is only complicated if you ever want to bring them back.

[boxtops]

it's all here https://www.gov.uk/take-pet-abroad/overview

[lankeela]

There are specialist animal transporters that will arrange everything and take them for you but obviously this costs more than taking them yourself. First step is to get them microchipped, then a rabies jab and a pet passport issued. Cost varies from vet to vet, but I recently paid £73 in total for the rabies jab and pet passport. You have to wait three weeks after the jab before they can return to the UK if going abroad, and get worming treatment within five days of return so this can be done in the UK before you go if only going over and back in a short time. Only certain ferries/airlines carry animals so check this out well before booking. I am going to Holland this weekend for a show and the Stena Line ferry has an onboard kennel you can book if you don't want them to stay in the car or are going as a foot passenger. Check each countries requirements for animals coming in from the UK as they differ with regard to worming, flea and tick treatment. You may also wish to check any prevalent diseases in the country you are going to such as Leishmaniasis (think that's how you spell it) so you can take any extra precautions.

[lankeela]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canine_leishmaniasis

[SpikeyBush]

I took my cat abroad when I emigrated. Just drove onto the ferry with him on the wife's lap. Had to leave the cat in the car though, cats & dogs weren't allowed in the passenger lounges.