Safe steps for pets

TRAVELLING with your pet to France can be a fraught experience for both you and your animal.

This is why it is vital that you ensure your cat or dog is taken care of both before and during the journey.

Besides filling out all the required forms and PETS passport paperwork for entry into France, you need to plan and make preparations for travelling with your pet well in advance of starting the journey.

The DEFRA website has an extensive section that offers simple advice on the steps you need to take.

For example, your pet has to be fit and healthy enough to travel and you should check that your carrier will transport your pet.

Make sure your pet has water available at all times and that there is plenty of fresh air circulating around.

The site covers in great depth the problems that can occur with heat stroke and the dangers of leaving your pet in a car during the summer.

It only takes a matter of minutes for an animal to begin suffering from the heat, as the temperature in a car can easily be double that outside.

There is also advice about travelling on ferries, the channel tunnel and the transporting of an animal by air.

Websites:
DEFRA
IATA (airline advice)