TRAVELLING WITH A PET

Now that the UK has left the EU pet travel has changed. You will no longer be able to travel with a GB-issued EU pet passport, so you will need an EU Animal Health Certificate (AHC). Or if travelling from the EU an EU Pet Passport issued by another EU country or Northern Ireland. 

The below rule check list can be used to help you plan ahead. We also recommend that you speak to your vet and keep up to date with DEFRA guidelines on the gov.uk website. 

In order to have a successful trip on a dog friendly ferry to Amsterdam you must have:

•  an animal health certificate (AHC), or a valid EU pet passport that’s accepted in the country you’re travelling to. You will need a new Animal Health Certificate every time you travel to an EU country. 

You must get an animal health certificate in the 10 days before you enter the EU as long as your pet either:
- has an up-to-date rabies vaccination already.
- only needs booster doses to keep the vaccination up to date.

If your pet needs a rabies vaccination, you must wait 21 days after the vaccination date before you get an animal health certificate. Day 1 is the day after vaccination.

We advise you tell your vet you need an AHC when you take your pet to get vaccinated. This gives your vet time to prepare it. 

Your pet’s animal health certificate is only valid for one single trip and will be valid after the date of issue for:
- 10 days for entry into the EU or Northern Ireland
- 4 months for onward travel within the EU
- 4 months for re-entry to Great Britain

Find out more on how to apply for an AHC and what information should be recorded by your vet by visiting the gov.uk website.

• a microchip - You must get your pet microchipped before, or at the same time as, their rabies vaccination. If you do not, they’ll need to be vaccinated again.

• a valid rabies vaccination - You must get your dog, cat or ferret vaccinated against rabies before it can travel to the EU or Northern Ireland. Your vet needs proof that your pet is at least 12 weeks old before vaccinating them. You must wait 21 days to travel after your pet is vaccinated. Day 1 is the day after the rabies vaccination.

• tapeworm treatment for dogs - A vet must treat your dog for tapeworm and record it in either an animal health certificate or a valid EU pet passport for entry into Great Britain.
  The treatment must have been given no less than 24 hours and no more than 120 hours (5 days) before your arrival into England; before your arrival into Hull; the ship is scheduled to arrive at 07:15hrs, so we recommend you visit the vet at least one day before you travel. To check what treatment information your vet must record on your ACH or EU pet passport please visit the government website.

Travelling from Hull to Rotterdam

For an easy experience of travelling with pets on our ferries to Holland we encourage customers to send copies of the relevant pages of their AHC or EU Pet Passport to us at least 1 day ahead of travel, so that our pet travel experts can check over your pet’s travel documentation. Our dog friendly ferry to Amsterdam makes it an easy and relaxing crossing for all. 

This will ensure we are able to advise you of any discrepancies that may prevent you from travelling ahead of your travel date, so you have plenty of time to correct any discrepancies.

For travel from Hull-Europoort, please forward copies of your pet travel document to:
hostess.hull@poferries.com

Please mention your booking reference in the e-mail subject field

Travelling from Rotterdam to Hull

PET TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION PRE-CHECK

We all know that our pets are part of the family, so on our P&O Ferries overnight crossing from Europoort - Hull, we want to make it easier for your pets to travel with you.

We want everything to be perfect for your trip with us and now offer a complimentary pre-check of your pet documentation.

If an error is identified, this allows you the time to speak to your vet to amend your documentation and it also speeds up your check-in experience.

To complete the check, we need to see:

Animal Health Certificateor EU Pet Passport, we need to see the following pages:

Owner, Description & Date of Birth, Identification (Microchip), Rabies Vaccination Record & Anti-echinococcus Treatment (Tapeworm)

A few days ahead of travel, you will receive an e-mail from our check-in team, asking you to send us a copy of your pet’s travel documentation.

We will ask that you scan or take photos of the document and send by return e-mail to: switchboard.europoort@poferries.com

Please send it no later than 24 hours before travel & we will email you to confirm that the check is complete.

On the day of travel, please report to the Terminal Building and our reception team will take a quick scan of your pet’s microchip to complete the pet check-in.

We recommend that you arrive for pet check-in between 16:00-18:00hrs local time, this allows time to have a quick walk prior to passenger check-in and boarding the vessel.

(The following link outlines the basic conditions that apply when travelling to the UK with your pet: https://www.gov.uk/taking-your-pet-abroad)

When travelling with a pet to Holland there are two options available for you to choose from: kennels or our dog friendly cabins (dogs only). Unfortunately pets cannot remain in your vehicle when sailing from Hull to Rotterdam.

• There are six dog friendly cabins on each vessel available for use by either foot passengers or vehicle passengers, and these are booked on a first come first served basis. If a dog friendly cabin is unavailable, then your pet must be booked in to one of our kennels.

• Any other pets (dogs / cats) must go in the kennels located on Deck 7 for the duration of the crossing. Once the vessel is ready for sea, the passenger(s) cannot visit the animal until Deck 7 is opened up on arrival in port the following morning. Kennel sizes can be viewed below.

Our staff regularly check on pets in their kennels throughout the entire overnight crossing. 

Check-in information

Passengers travelling with pets need to check-in at least 90 minutes before departure, where you will be asked to fill in a pet manifest before boarding the ship.

We are unable to offer Priority Boarding to passengers with pets, as your car will be parked near the kennels.

We do not allow people travelling on coaches to bring their pets, with the exception of registered Guide and Hearing Dogs.

Arrival Information

Be advised that disembarkation starts approximately 15min after arrival time. Please be aware of this when planning your onward journey

We provide pet kennels in three different sizes for your furry friends big and small. Please note that the dimensions may change slightly depending on the ship you are travelling on.

Small kennels are for small pets that weigh a maximum of 20kg.

Large kennels are for medium sized pets that weigh a maximum of 35kg.

Extra-large kennels are for large pets with a maximum weight of 45kg.

Before you sail

Things to bring for the journey to help your pet have a comfortable sailing.

• Water container, please ensure the container is spill-proof and contains enough fresh water for the journey.

• Absorbent pads or bedding for your car, the kennel or your pet-friendly cabin.

• Pet waste sacks.

• Favourite toys to help them settle.

Please make sure to feed your pet at least a few hours before boarding the ship – if you do it later then they may get travel sick.

Give your pet plenty of exercise before they travel – that way, they’re likely to be less restless on the car journey.

Always allow time for your pet to go to the toilet before boarding.

During the sailing

Our on board kennels are air-conditioned to make sure that your pet won’t get too hot on the overnight crossing.

Your pet is more likely to sleep comfortably if they have familiar bedding with them, so it’s a good idea to consider leaving some in their kennel so they can feel as at home as possible.

If your pet is staying in one of our kennels please leave them with enough of their own food and water to cover the crossing.

If your pet is poorly on the way to the ferry, you’ll find the nearest vet information for Hull and Rotterdam ports below.

As your pet will stay in our on board kennels during the voyage, it’s important to make sure they’re fit and well before boarding the ship.

Kingston Vets Clinic & Veterinary Hospital
1-2 Park Street Anlaby Road, Hull, HU3 2JF1
Monday to Friday: 9am - 11am and 2pm - 7pm
Saturday: 9am - 12noon
Tel: 01482 223688
Web: www.kingstonvets.com

Which pets are allowed to travel?

We know travelling with a pet is important. At P&O Ferries Dogs, cats or ferrets are allowed to travel on our ships, as long as they meet all the EU entry requirements and have a valid AHC or EU Pet Passport as stated above. We also allow the transportation of pet birds, with the correct documentation.

Please note: We do not transport any UK banned breeds of dogs or birds used for hunting, breeding or meat on our vessels.

What to do before travelling with a pet?

Before travelling with a pet there are many things you can do to ensure they have a safe and comfortable crossing. 

Firstly you need to make sure all your documentation is up-to-date and compliant for your furry friend to join you. Make sure you send this documentation up to 24 hours before your crossing to us so our pet experts can check and send any information that is not compliant in time to fix before you set sail. 

On the day of travel make sure your pet is as comfortable and relaxed as possible. Whether they are staying in our dog friendly cabins or our kennels make sure they have enough food and water to last the crossing. Avoid feeding them right before the crossing to prevent your pet getting travel sick and ensure they have plenty of exercise before coming onboard. 

Are there dog friendly hotels near Rotterdam?

There are lots of dog friendly hotels near Rotterdam with many along the Maas River and the Maas Boulevard allowing you to explore many new scenic places with your furry friends. 

Learn more about the things to do in Rotterdam today and get planning your Holland trip now.