Taking Your Pet To Spain

People should ‘paws’ for thought when planning to head off with their families to spend the winter months in their Spanish holiday homes, says Banco Halifax Hispania.

It takes six months to complete the pet passport process, so people need to start early if they want their pets to join them on an extended trip to Spain during the winter months.

Pet owners should not only ensure that the holiday home, destination and travel plans meet the needs of the pet, but also that the pet meets the requirements of the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS.) Failure to do so will lead to a pet having to spend up to six months in quarantine upon their return to the UK.

To ensure that your pet can travel to Spain and be allowed entry back into the UK, the following requirements must be met:

• Your pet must be fitted with a microchip.
• Your pet must receive a rabies vaccination – it must be at least three months old to receive this vaccination.
• Approximately one month after it has received the vaccination, your pet will need to take a blood test to ensure that it has sufficient immunity from rabies. If your pet fails the blood test it will need to be vaccinated and tested again.

Once your pet has met all of these requirements it will receive its PETS certificate. However, your pet may not re-enter the UK under PETS until six months after the date that the successful blood sample was taken.

To allow your pet to enter Spain you also need an Export Health Certificate, issued after examination by a vet in the UK. This is different from PETS and your pet may be refused entry to Spain if you do not have the certificate.

Your pet must be treated for ticks and tapeworm 24 to 48 hours before it is checked in for its journey back to the UK. You must receive an official Certificate of Treatment to prove that your pet received this treatment. It is recommended that you take a list of vets with you who will be able to provide the treatment.

You will also be asked to complete a Declaration of Residence to declare that your pet has not been outside of the qualifying countries in the six months before re-entering the UK.

Travelling abroad can be a traumatic experience for both pet and owner and careful consideration of the journey can help minimise any distress. Banco Halifax Hispania offers the following advice to travellers with pets:

• Consider the car, ferry or aeroplane journey from your pet’s perspective. A journey to Spain via car is a long way, but your pet can travel with you in the car. However, if you fly to your destination, your pet will be secured in a cargo hold for the duration of the flight and during any delays.
• You must book your trip with a PET approved carrier and travel on a PET approved route.
• Travelling overnight is recommended, as your pet will most likely sleep through the journey.
• Animals can die if left in vehicles in high or cold temperatures or sunlight.
• Pet carriers should be firmly secured in cars.
• Travel can be stressful for a pet, especially a young animal.
• Discuss with your vet whether you should feed your pet prior to or after a journey.
• Provide your pet with adequate water prior to, during and after the journey.
• Assess the climate of your destination in Spain. Certain breeds, and in particular older animals, will struggle to cope with sudden changes in temperature and humidity.
• Decide whether the accommodation conditions will be suitable for your animal. Cats in particular can become extremely unsettled in new environments.
• Will the pet fit into your daily routine whilst in Spain?
• Will you be able to provide the necessary exercise whilst on holiday that a dog would require?
• Is your pet adequately insured whilst in Spain?

Ian Smith, Head of European Operations at Halifax, said: “If you are planning to spend the winter months in your holiday home in Spain with your pet, you should apply for a pet passport now. In addition, you should not only ensure that your holiday home, destination and travel plans meet your pet’s needs, but also that your pet meets PETS’ requirements. Failure to do so will lead to your pet spending up to six months in quarantine upon your return to the UK.”