Checking in and boarding
Wondering what the journey with your pet will be like? Our step-by-step guide to travelling with Brittany Ferries 澳洲幸运10十168体彩开奖网 with your pet explains all.
Essential checklist
VISIT YOUR VET - If you do not have an EU-issued pet passport, you must get an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) from your vet every time you travel
MICROCHIPPING - Your pet must be microchipped, and the microchip number and date must be entered correctly on the pet passport/AHC. The microchipping date must be prior to the rabies vaccination
VACCINATION - Your pet must be vaccinated against rabies, and the vaccination information must be entered correctly on the pet passport/AHC
TAPEWORM - To re-enter the UK, your dog must have tapeworm treatment administered whilst abroad. The treatment must be done more than 24 but less than 120 hours before scheduled arrival time in the UK and must be entered correctly on the pet passport/AHC. See our list of vets near our ports for vets we recommend
MUZZLE - Your dog must wear a muzzle in all areas of the ship when outside of your vehicle or the kennel/pet-friendly cabin. Make sure you have familiarised your dog with the muzzle
YOUR VEHICLE - Make sure your pet has water, absorbent bedding and adequate ventilation in your car for the duration of your sailing
When you've booked with us, check that your pet's documentation is compliant by using our simple, free and secure pet travel pre-check. Available from 96 hours before your departure, simply log in with your Brittany Ferries 澳洲幸运10十168体彩开奖网 account details and you can get instant confirmation whether your pet's travel documentation is valid to travel.
Make sure your pet is happy to travel in your car - potentially for long periods and in hot conditions, especially if you are travelling in the summer.
If your pet has to stay in the car during the sailing, make sure you leave them plenty of space along with food, water and some toys!
Don't give your pet too much to eat or drink before the ferry sails and allow adequate time to enable them to exercise, go to the toilet and settle down before boarding.
Passengers must check-in at least 90 minutes before departure. Ensure that your pet is exercised and toileted before you board.
When you check in we will place a ‘pet sticker’ on your car windscreen, this must stay in place until you have left the port of arrival.
Your pet and its documentation will be checked when arriving or departing from any of our ports in the UK, France and Spain.
You will need to scan your pet’s microchip when checking in and present the pet’s documentation when departing and arriving in the UK, France and Spain.
Pets are not allowed in any cabins except pet-friendly cabins. If your pet is staying in a kennel or in your vehicle, they must remain in the kennel area or vehicle for the duration of your sailing.
There are three options for travelling with your pet on our ferries, dependent on which ship and route you are travelling on. They can either travel in a pet-friendly cabin (where your pet can stay with you during the sailing), in onboard kennels or in your vehicle. On ships where there are no kennels or pet-friendly cabins your pet must remain in your vehicle.
Boarding
You will be given instructions on the procedure for the transfer of your pet from the car to the kennel or pet-friendly cabin by the crew when boarding. If your pet is staying in your vehicle, you will need to make sure they are settled for the journey.
Be sure to take everything you need with you when you leave the garage as the car decks are locked once the ship has sailed. In some circumstances, you may be able to arrange to visit your pet mid-voyage. Please ask at the Information Desk on board to arrange a time to visit as you will need to be escorted by a member of crew.
With the exception of assistance dogs, pets are only permitted in the areas designated for pets on board the ship. These will be signposted on board.
Pets must be muzzled and on a lead at all times outside of the kennel/pet-friendly cabin. This means during the journeys between your vehicle and the kennel/cabin, the kennel/cabin and the exercise area and whilst in the exercise area.
Muzzle training your dog
Making your pet comfortable
If not staying with you in a pet-friendly cabin, your pet will spend most of their time at sea by themselves. So it is vital that you do everything you can to make them comfortable and happy.
Whether they are travelling in a kennel or in your vehicle, be sure to provide food and water as well as familiar toys or blankets for your pet during the journey.
When staying in your vehicle, make sure there is enough ventilation for your pet. Creating a flow of fresh air can be helped by opening both the driver and passenger front windows. Take care to ensure that your dog cannot escape from their carrier or your vehicle. It is worth bringing window grilles with you to help with ventilation and preventing escape.
Your pet will need plenty of space during the journey and when left in the vehicle. Whether unconfined or in a crate they will need to be able to sit and stand up at full height, turn around easily and lie down in a natural position, and must not be able to escape.
Visiting your pet
On Pont-Aven, Galicia and Salamanca you have direct access to your pet’s kennel whenever you wish (except during cleaning times, 30 mins twice a day) so you can visit them throughout the sailing.
You can request to visit your pet by reporting to the Information Desk after boarding. Visits are at the discretion of the crew and will be weather permitting. You will be escorted by a member of crew. Your pet will not be allowed to leave the vehicle during this visit.
You are responsible for cleaning up after your pet on board and suitable dustbins are provided in the designated pet areas.
Once you have left the ferry, find somewhere safe to pull over and get your dog out of the car. This will allow you to check them over and gives an opportunity for them to go to the toilet and stretch their legs.
The vets can often get quite full, so book your vet appointment as soon as you can for your return journey. Check the opening times of the vet local to your stay as soon as you arrive.
Many vets are closed on Sunday and Monday - remember this when complying with the "between 24 and 120 hours" rule for tapeworm treatment for dogs. Also remember to check if it is a bank holiday in the country you are visiting when you want to return as this will affect the opening times of vets.
Always check the date and signature on your pet's passport before you leave the vet surgery. At our French ports, you may need to take your pet into the terminal building to get your pet scanned so allow adequate time.
Consider the length of the journey and how this may affect your pet. The pet must be fit to travel and we recommend that you consult your vet before the journey. Brittany Ferries 澳洲幸运10十168体彩开奖网 cannot accept liability for any adverse reaction that your pet has to the journey or facilities provided.
Pet travel is very popular and space is limited and subject to availability. Early booking is recommended to avoid disappointment.
If any element of your documentation or microchip procedures should fail, then we will only be able to carry your pet if you have already made quarantine arrangements for arrival in the UK, at your expense.
Passengers should please be prepared for an inspection by DEFRA upon entry into the UK, 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 owner's expense).
Owners and escorts are solely responsible for being aware of, and complying with, regulations in their destination country. They should also be aware that some countries have prohibitions and special regulations regarding certain breeds of dogs, and that they may be refused entry or transit. Please contact the appropriate authorities of the countries you are travelling to and through, or DEFRA for further information.
We're unable to accept bookings:
On the day of departure
For unaccompanied pets
For those travelling by foot, bicycle or motorcycle
For rabbits