On our Dover Calais route Irish Ferries welcomes pets travelling with motorists (cars, vans, motorhomes, etc) or with motorcyclists if booked into the Pet Den area. Pets must be declared at the time of booking and meet the required entry guidelines for pets. A maximum of 5 pets is accepted on a single motorist booking. Check in time with pets is 90 minutes before departure to allow for pet passport processing.
On our Dover Calais route, you will select to book you pets to either:
- stay in your vehicle for the duration of the crossing. We recommend that they have space along with food, water, some toys, and ideally a window of your vehicle left slightly open.
OR
- access the Pet Den area on-board, if available at the time time of booking. Pets must stay within the dedicated Pet Den area and be accompanied by an adult and always kept on a leash (with use of a muzzle if there is a risk of biting). Owners must clean up after their pets. (Note: motorcyclists travelling with pets, must select the Pet Den area).
Pets travelling from one country to another need to have the following:
Route | Microchip | Document | Rabies | Tapeworm (Dogs only) |
Britain to France | Required | Required | Required | N/A |
France to Britain | Required | Required | Required | Required |
1. Microchip: Pets must be microchipped before or at the same time as their rabies vaccination. The microchip number on the animal must correspond with the number on the passport presented, and should comply with ISO standards 11784 & 11785. Clearly legible tattoos are also accepted if applied before 3rd July 2011.
2. Documentation: A valid EU Pet Passport or GB Animal Health Certificate is required. A current EU pet passport issued in Great Britain will not be valid for travel to the EU, and a GB Animal Health Certificate (AHC) will be required for each entry into the EU. Pet owners are however advised to retain any prior GB-issued EU pet passport, as it may contain important information about vaccinations, treatments, etc. EU pet passports issued by Northern Ireland remain valid for EU travel.
3. Rabies: All dogs, cats, and ferrets must have a current Rabies vaccination administered by a registered Veterinary Practitioner at least 21 days prior to arrival in the destination country and entered into the EU Pet Passport (Section IV. Vaccination Against Rabies).
4. Tapeworm (applies to dogs only): Tapeworm treatment must be administered by a registered Veterinary Practitioner between 24 - 120 hours (1 - 5 days) prior to arrival in the destination country and entered into the EU Pet Passport (Section VII. Echinococcus Treatment) or Animal Health Certificate.
Officially recognised guide, hearing and assistance dogs with the requisite paperwork, are allowed to accompany you onboard. The pet passport / animal health certificate etc requirements for entry for assistance dogs are the same as all other dogs.
Check the relevant authority's website for full details of the requirements:
- French Government regulations for entry to France with a pet (in French)
- UK Government regulations for entry to Britain with a pet (in English)