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International Pet Travel – Taking Your Pets on Holiday

Booking to go on holiday is an exciting time for you and the whole family. The furry members of your family needn’t be left out. With the increase of pet-friendly destinations, hotels and restaurants, you’ll be spoilt for choice for your next holiday.
Yes! Taking your pets on holiday is a great way to give them a change of pace and get them to spend time with you, which they’re bound to enjoy.
But before you decide to book your pet-friendly holiday, there are a few important points to consider.
While your pet might deserve a holiday as much as you, they may not see it in quite the same way. Animals love routine. If their routine is broken and you’re not around to reassure them, then this could cause them a lot of stress and anxiety – the opposite of what they need on a holiday. This is particularly true for dogs.
To prevent any unwanted stress, you should always ensure that your accommodation has everything you need to keep your pet comfortable throughout the stay.
To minimise the changes while on holiday, you should try to keep as much of your routine as possible. This will also help with the transition when you return home.
Your pet will need to travel using an Animal Health Certificate (AHC).
These certificates are documents signed by your vet to show that your pet has had all of the right vaccinations and that they have had a recent health check, where no health issues were discovered. The AHC will also list your vet’s information and show any medication that your pet has previously taken or requires whilst on holiday in case of emergency.
In most cases, your vet will need to sign this certificate no more than 10 days prior to travel. This shows that your pet was in good health at the time of travel. When you book your holiday, you will need to ensure that you book in this appointment as close to the date of travel as possible.
The vaccinations required for travel vary based on your destination. However, almost all countries require your pet to have an up to date rabies vaccination.
This must have been administered at least 30 days prior to the travel to develop the correct antibodies.
If your pet has already had a valid rabies vaccination, but it was a few months prior to travel, you may be required to conduct a titer test for certain destinations. This is a blood test which displays adequate rabies antibodies.
No matter where you’re traveling, it’s a good idea to have your pet microchipped. This helps keep track of their vaccinations – which can be linked to the chip number. It also gives you peace of mind, as your pet can be linked back to you if they go missing.
Always make sure your details are up to date on the microchip record.
If you intend to visit Ireland, Northern Ireland, Finland, Malta or Norway on holiday with your pet, you will need to have them treated for tapeworm at least 24 hours before you go.
Worrying about taking your pet on holiday? Ferndale pet relocation company can help you to prepare your documents, understand the best destination and make your pet feel at ease with the change.