Page 21 - Real Rochdale Issue 22 Summer 2024
P. 21

Pet Travel







           With summer holidays in mind, there is
           often a decision whether to take our pets
           with us or leave them behind.


           There are a few options if you decide not to
           take your pet with you.

           Pet sitters
           Either in your house or at someone else’s
           home. Make sure that you check insurance
           and whether the pet sitter is registered. Ask
           for references from previous customers,              ABOUT THE WRITER
           speak to friends and family and see if they          Clare Farnsworth qualified from Liverpool in
           can recommend somebody.                              2003. She had a brief stint in mixed
                                                                practice before settling into her small animal
           Kennels/cattery                                      vet career. She has worked locally for the past
           There are many excellent kennels and                 15 years before opening a new practice in
                                                                Milnrow last year.
           catteries in the area. Again, do your
           research. You should be asked to ensure
           that your pets’ vaccinations are up to date         date of the previous rabies vaccination).
           and sometimes this needs to be completed            Your pet will need to have a working
           a few weeks prior to their stay. Speak to the       microchip at the time of vaccination.
           kennels to ensure that you won’t run out of
           time.                                               In most cases, the paperwork takes about
                                                               an hour for the vet to complete, so please
           Taking your pet with you                            speak to your practice in plenty of time to
           There are lots of pet-friendly holiday              allow a suitable appointment time.
           options in the UK. The main issue people
           have is travel sickness in their pets.              For most EU countries, you do not need to
           Stopping often and allowing your dog to get         give dogs a tapeworm treatment before
           out and walk for a few minutes can help. If         you leave the UK, but you will need to treat
           the sickness is quite severe, there are             prior to re-entering the UK. This treatment
           options to treat with medication. Please            needs to be given and certified by a vet on
           speak to your vet in plenty of time to allow        the continent before you return.
           discussion of the options, and perhaps a
           trial run.                                          It is also a good idea to research the area
                                                               you are travelling to for any other parasites
           To travel to the EU with a dog, cat or ferret       you should be aware of and take steps to
           you will need an Animal Health Certificate          prevent infection. For example, sandflies
           (AHC) unless you already have a valid EU            can be an issue near the Mediterranean;
           passport. These AHCs are completed by               these parasites can cause diseases in our
           your vet up to 10 days before travelling, but       pets.
           preparations can take several weeks.
                                                               If you have any questions, please speak to
           Your pet will need to have a rabies                 your vet. They will be able to advise you on
           vaccination at least three weeks prior to the       what steps you need to take to allow you
           certificate being issued (unless they are           to have a fantastic holiday – whether you
           having a booster vaccination before the due         decide to take your pet with you or not.

 REAL ROCHDALE - SUMMER 2024  20                           21                    REAL ROCHDALE - SUMMER 2024
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