Common Questions - Take your dog on holiday

Who can you travel with?

Nearly all ferry operators from Ireland and the UK to the continent will accept pets on board. The following routes and operators have been approved by DEFRA for the PETS passport scheme:

– Hull – Zeebrugge (P&O Ferries)
– Hull – Rotterdam (P&O Ferries)
– Rosyth – Zeebrugge (Superfast Ferries)
– Dover – Calais (P&O Ferries) (SeaFrance)
– Folkestone – Calais (Eurotunnel)
– Dover – Dunkerque (NorfolkLine)
– Dover – Boulogne (Speedfast Ferries)
– Newhaven – Dieppe (Transmanche Ferries)
– Portsmouth – Cherbourg, Caen, St Malo (Brittany Ferries)
– Portsmouth – Le Havre (Louis Dreyfus Lines)
– Poole – Cherbourg (Brittany Ferries)
– Poole – St Malo (Condor Ferries)
– Plymouth – Roscoff (Brittany Ferries)
– Newcastle – Ijmuiden (DFDS Seaways)
– Harwich – Hook of Holland (Stena Line)
– Plymouth – Santander (Brittany Ferries)

Whilst some airlines will carry pets as cargo, at this time, Keycamp Holidays will only book dogs for travel via ferry, as above.

What happens at Check In in Ireland?

Look for any 'dogs' check-in desks and then check in as normal. Present all passports, including your dog's, to the check-in personnel who will issue the relevant boarding passes and advise on the on-board procedures for dogs. It is common for there to be a 'dog's area' where you can walk your dog while you wait to board.

How does the dog travel on board?

Each operator will have different rules dependant on the type and duration of the crossing. As a general rule though, on short crossings, the dog will remain in the vehicle. On longer crossings the dog will be stored in kennels on board the ship and there will be provision for accompanied visits during the crossing.  For the latest information about each operator, contact our call centre.

For first time or nervous dogs, you may wish to use Eurotunnel for the journey.  This is simply because you travel with your vehicle during the crossing and will therefore travel with your dog.

What happens when I arrive on the continent?

Nothing - all you need to do is join your vehicle as normal and drive off the ferry and out of the ferry port.  Your dog has already performed all of the required checks for entry onto the continent.

What happens on the parc?

Parcs are very welcoming of dogs and have been accepting dogs as guests for a long time. Parcs and camping in general are considered as one of the few holiday types where dog owners can benefit from the freedom and flexibility of taking a dog on an overseas holiday. However, there are a few requirements:

Control - dogs will be required to be kept on a leash at all times whilst on the parc grounds.
Consideration - dog owners will be expected to be considerate of other guests and keep noise to a minimum.
Cleanliness - dog owners will be expected to clean up after their dogs.

What should I take with me?

Keycamp Holidays would recommend that as a minimum you bring the following items with you: lead, dog bowl, dog food, favourite toys, favourite blankets or basket, poop-a-scoop or doggy bags.

Europeans are renowned as dog-lovers, so shopping for any additional requirements should be relatively simple and straightforward.  Most of the brand names that are well known in the UK are also well known in Europe.

Are there any other requirements to perform before I return to Ireland?

Yes. Before the dog re-enters Ireland, it must be treated against tapeworm. The dog must be treated against tapeworm not less than 24 hours and not more than 120 hours (1-5 days) before being checked in for re-entry into Ireland. The vet who completes this simple procedure will “stamp” the passport and give the necessary paperwork to you to be presented to the travel operator.  This process MUST be completed as described.  Failure to comply with this regulation will involve your dog being placed into quarantine upon arrival into Ireland.

The names, addresses and telephone numbers of veterinary offices close to our campsites can be found online. Many customers will be confident in calling and booking their own appointments.  However, for those who require a little assistance, our on-parc couriers will gladly help. The treatment itself will cost approximately €50 - €80.

What happens at Check In on the way home?

Check in as normal.  Present all passports, including your dog's, to the check in personnel who will issue the relevant boarding passes and advise on the on-board procedures for pets.  You must also present the tapeworm paperwork that will have been provided to you by the veterinary office the previous day.  It is common for there to be a "pets area", where you can walk your dog while you wait to board.

What happens when I arrive back in Ireland?

Nothing - all you need to do is join your vehicle as normal and drive off the ferry and out of the ferry port.  Your dog has already performed all of the required checks for entry before you joined the ship and can travel straight home with you.

Who else can I talk to?

If only one person knows your dog better than you, it is your vet. Have a chat with your vet about your travel plans, where you are going, how you are travelling and your holiday plans. Your vet will be an invaluable source of information and will be able to advise you on applying for your PETS passport, travel advice and much more.

Can you tell me if my PETS Passport is valid?

It is the dog owners' responsibility to ensure that all of the required PETS passport procedures have been completed and that all the paperwork is up to date. Keycamp Holidays advises that you consult with your vetrinary office as soon as you know where you are travelling and that you check with your vet that all procedures and paperwork is in order.

What about dogs considered dangerous?

Campsite owners have been accepting the majority breeds of dogs onto their campsites for a long time and are a welcome addition to the family environment on site. However, each dog is accepted as a guest onto parcs at the parc owners' discretion. Campsite owners reserve the right to refuse entry to any dog that is considered dangerous, even a cross breed of a dangerous dog. If you are unsure that your dog may or may not be accepted onto a campsite, Keycamp Holidays recommends that you do not consider this type of holiday with your dog. Keycamp Holidays cannot be held liable for a dog being refused entry onto a campsite.