Truck and Man Pet Transport 2025
TRUCK AND MAN
Dog Travel Tips - Dogs usually ride in carrier in back, and are taken out for a run about every two or three hours. If in a small carrier, they can sometimes ride up front on bench or behind passenger feet or on passenger lap if curious to look out window. If weather is cold, I try to share sleep space warmth whether up in cabin or in back. Best to place a disposable towel in carrier that may be thrown away if messed, to be shaken out or replaced with another if a longer route. Water is best offered at stops, food usually twice a day, though all things dependent on advice of owner. I avoid leaving water or food in the carrier, better just a chewtoy or maybe treat snack. If doggy gets anxious, a vet can provide sedation tranquilizer pills which may be mixed in with food during the journey, tranquilizer injections also an option just before departure. Most dogs are glad to get out to sniff around, preferring a long leash. At both load and unload, dogs should be kept with open carrier in shut bathroom of your new place that they may then not be underfoot, have a chance to move about and become acclimated, messes easier cleaned in a bathroom. Dogs should have rfid chips in neck by vet noting ownership and all vaccinations, as advised by your vet. Paper passports are not necessary within Europe, only sometimes requested when entering UK, though I would be glad to secure what you have, probably best in plastic bag taped direct to carrier.
Cat Travel Tips - Cats usually ride up front in a carrier with disposable towel within that may be thrown away when messed on and replaced with another. Please don't bother with messy litter, and no water in the carrier as it will surely spill within the first hour. The cat should be fine with wet food or some water offered at stops, what remains being tossed. Even be cautious about leaving food in the carrier, less it should spill. If your cat gets easily anxious, your vet can provide sedation tranquilizer pills which may be mixed in with food during the journey. If your cat really freaks out easily, have the vet inject tranquilizer just before departure. Most cats mew for forty minutes, then keep quiet until arrival, not needing any sedation beyond being left alone. A few curious cats like to look out the window. Trying not to get cat hair in the cabin, I may first lay a sheet down on the seat and use packing tape to clean hair off after unload. Upon arrival, remove cat first from truck and place carrier in the bathroom of your new place, door shut and open carrier. The cat will leave the carrier on its own good time and any mess is easier cleaned in a bathroom, plus it's kept from underfoot during unload. Keeping the cat in the bathroom with open carrier is also a good idea during load, perhaps leaving the carrier with them in the bathtub/shower with the bathroom door kept shut. The Eurotunnel requires your cat have an rfid chip in its neck noting all vaccinations. Your vet should know what more than rabies is necessary. That Eurotunnel port also prefers you have a cat passport, though it might be fine if you don't already have one?
Pets between UK and EU - If owner is not at channel crossing, then we should both sign a letter stating T. Nathan Roane is allowed temporary custody during transport with pet's info, templates found online or else handwritten. RFID microchip in dog, cat, or ferret is required for their international travel. Always best to check with your vet for updated info, have them confirm chip readability shortly before travel. Chip number is then also stated in health certificate or passport. The main change for pet travel out of GB since Brexit 2021 is that UK pet passports are no longer valid for travel into the EU, unless your animal already has a valid non-UK EU passport, issued in an EU country. Primary rabies vaccination should be given at least 21 days before travel/certification, and when the pet was at least 12 weeks of age, with rabies booster shots given every 3 to 5 years or based on serology. Confirm with your vet, they should know all. Tapeworm treatment if traveling to Finland, Northern Ireland, Ireland, or Malta (to be given and vet certified 24-120 hours before entry to EU/NI). Channel crossing customs expectantly hands me their scanner gun like in a grocery store self-checkout, I scan pet's neck, agent has all relevant vaccine and ownership info on their computer. I am great with animals, gladly feed and walk and scratch ears if they like it, small ones may ride as passengers in front cabin and chat with me.
https://www.gov.uk/taking-your-pet-abroad
https://www.gov.uk/bring-pet-to-great-britain/pet-passport
https://www.dfds.com/en/passenger-ferries/passenger-information/pet-travel
Pets within EU - So far, I have yet to be asked for pet info transported within the European Union or Switzerland, assume cat or dog has updated vaccines and rfid chip in neck.