A Pre-Road Trip Checklist for Your Best Bud
When my husband proposed to me in 2022, he knew he couldn’t do it without our dog, Henry, so with that logic, how were we supposed to get married without Henry?!
This is the start of my HenryBoo Travels to Europe series, where I’ll be sharing tips and tricks for traveling to Europe with your dog – plus all the fun things Henry and I got up to in each country we visited!
In 2023, my husband, our dog, and I packed up our Mercedes CLK AMG and set off on a 3-week road trip around Europe, where we ended up eloping in the stunning Italian Dolomites. It wasn’t our first road trip as a couple, but it was our first with our furry little sidekick.
Before you and your co-pilot hit the road, this post will walk you through everything you need to have sorted for a smooth trip to Europe.
Henry did not have a pet passport pre Brexit so we had to follow the new guidelines (as of January 2021) for pet travel before hitting the road. This meant obtaining an Animal Health Certificate (AHC).
First things first – make sure your vet is qualified to issue an Animal Health Certificate (AHC)! We were lucky to be registered with a vet who had plenty of experience with AHCs. She was incredibly thorough and triple-checked every dot and line before handing it over.
To be eligible for an AHC, your pet must be microchipped and have a valid rabies vaccination. Keep in mind: your bestie can’t enter the EU until at least 21 days after the rabies jab has been given.
What you’ll find on an Animal Health Certificate
- Pet Owner Details – Your Name, Address & Contact Info
- Pet Information – Pet’s Name, Species, Breed, Sex, Age, Colour
- Microchip Details – Microchip number, date of implantation, and location on the pet’s body
- Rabies Vaccination Details – Date of Vaccination, Manufacturer, Batch Number & Expiry Date
- Travel Details – Destination Country & Travel Date
- Vet Certification – Official Stamp, Signature & Practise Details
EVERY PAGE MUST BE STAMPED AND SIGNED
Don’t risk filling it out yourself unless absolutely necessary. Leave it to the professionals who can understand what they’re reading!
Your AHC is valid for 10 days from the date of issue to enter the EU. We booked our appointment for 5 days before departure, but gave our vet a heads-up about a month in advance to make sure everything could be prepared in time. Make sure you bring your dog along with you as the vet will need to scan their microchip for the document.
We paid £165 for our Animal Health Certificate but this varies from vet to vet so make sure you have this discussion in advance to avoid any surprises!
Returning to the UK was a much simpler process. The only requirement for Henry was a tapeworm treatment, which had to be administered at a European veterinary clinic between 1 and 5 days before re-entering the UK.
I booked an online appointment with Vet Riviera in Nice, France, and scheduled it for 48 hours before our departure. Although I booked it months in advance, we probably could’ve gotten away with arranging it just a few days ahead – there was good availability. The staff were lovely and spoke excellent English, which made everything super easy. One little tablet and €20 later, we were good to go! (Though they did have to hide it in cat food to get Henry to eat it…)
LeShuttle Pet Check In
Pulling up to the 24-hour pet check-in desk at the Eurotunnel felt a bit intimidating at first. Will Henry be approved to enter the country? Is everything signed and stamped? What if my dog gets stranded without me?!
Thankfully, the process is actually quick and smooth – as long as you’ve got all your documents ready to hand over. You might be asked to confirm your personal and travel details, but don’t worry – just don’t joke about smuggling drugs or anything and you’ll be fine!
Once your pup is approved and good to go, there’s a very cute exercise area where they can stretch their legs and go for a little widdle (the dog, not you). We went super early in the morning, so Henry had the whole sniffing circuit to himself – pure joy.
The crossing at Calais is a similar process, but make sure you can prove your dog received their tapeworm treatment within the required timeframe. There’s also an exercise area there for your dog to have one last sniff and do their business before the journey home.
Note: There are dedicated dogs friendly areas in both terminals but they aren’t allowed in the shops or food areas so one person has to be the dedicated Starbucks runner.
Traveling to Europe with your dog may seem daunting, but with the right preparation, it can be a smooth and rewarding experience. Stick to these checklists, plan ahead, and both you and your pup are set for a fantastic adventure.
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