Last minute 3 week holiday in Europe - with dog!

[ratticus4]

The person we have previously used for dog sitting has pulled out today from looking after our dog for 3 weeks in 3 weeks! Beyond fuming we now need to sort out an alternative and quickly.

We had planned a trip to Europe by train (interrail tickets) but obviously can't do this now. We've promised the 3 DC (all teens) a big trip this year after not being away since 2019 (like lots of people) plus we've had 2 family bereavements. They have changed plans - cancelled festivals - to come with us and so a week in the Lake District is not going to cut it.

Happy to drive to somewhere in Europe and take the dog. Any suggestions or advice for where to go and/or where to stay?

Oh wow, not surprised your annoyed OP, assume there isnt a family member etc that could step in to help?

Sadly no family member to help. We've just learned that he needs to have a rabies jab to get his pet passport and that this will cut our holiday short too.

Trying to be silver lining about it... 'good job we're not booked to go the States' 'better to know now the dog sitter is unreliable' but it's not helping!

Why not try kennels further away nearer to the port/airport ? Not ideal but just start calling. If you are likely to pass the Bristol area I can recommend a place close to the motorway

Can you travel to Northern Ireland or does that have the same rabies requirements, just thinking as its still part of the UK??

Or maybe a trip of the south coast and goto Isle of Wight ?

Does the dog have a pet passport?

Do you have any local dog sitting services? They advertise all the time on FB here. They take the dogs for walks and spend time with them in your home.
Or a local teenager studying animal husbandry or something?

Sadly don't think a 3 week trip to Northern Ireland (however lovely) will cut it when Venice, Berlin, Amsterdam, etc. was on the cards... Although I know what you mean about the UK and pet passport issues.

(We've heard that other people have been let down by (different) dog sitters recently too. What is going on?)

You’ll need a new Animal Health Certificate c.£200 each time you travel to the EU/NI and rabies jabs 21 days beforehand.

Our dog has an EU passport (UK ones no longer count), so its different there. UK vets are not allowed to enter vax details in EU passports now, it invalidates them. Jabs only by EU vets.

NI has same requirements as EU btw.

Do you know a level headed late teen/young adult who could house/dog sit?

Also some countries in EU and NI require tapeworm treatment proof as well

It's getting worse!

We briefly looked at taking winterpup to France but it just seemed like too much hassle, I know they also need treatment before they travel back to the UK.

Iim not sure any of this is helping you OP 😥

You really need to pull out all the stops and find another setting for the dog. Taking him overseas is a non starter. Check all home boarding and kennel facilities in ad wide an area as you can manage. Here, people put such requests on our local Facebook page and often get results.

I suggest looking for kennels even though it may be a distance away.

www.briottieres.com/en/
Perhaps something like this for a few days and then move on? They accommodate dogs.

We take our dog to Europe and are about to do another trip with him. You'll need to call a vet ASAP and see if his jabs are up to date (esp rabies) then a health check and paperwork a few days before you leave - this appointment just cost us £180.

On the way back he needs a specific wormer 2-5 days before coming back to UK.

But a lot of Europe is very dog friendly - we've had no issues finding hotels, air bnbs, restaurants, pubs etc to take him into. Love taking him with us and he had a great time

We are taking our puppy to France this week.
Local vet charges just over £100 for health cert and quick vet trip for worming before we come home. It’s not a big, complicated operation……….

Look for a pet sitting that will come and stay at yours

workaway
woofer
trusted house sitters

It will be a nightmare taking dog. Finding last minute accommodation that will accept dogs, Europe heat atm means hot in car, hot walks, hot apartment for dog.

It is easy taking a dog to France - just more costly.

We are here with DDog now and done it twice this year. Rabies jab 21 days before travel and and EHC (ours cost £178) - your vet may not do the EHC, I had to track down a Medivet place that did. Although our vet did the rabies shot. EHC needs to be done no more than 10 days before travel.

There is a vet in Folkestone that issues EHC for around £99 and you send all the details and schedule a pick up of the EHC before you cross. (Maybe another Mumsnetter has the details?)

Then when returning to UK pop to a vet to get a tapeworm treatment 5-2 days before returning.

The only issue is finding a vet in the Uk who issues certificate and rabies shot if your less than 21 days to travel.

Very very easy to take a dog to France 🙂 Get your rabies and animal health cert in the UK. Can get as low as £99, but I paid £120 for quick appointment. Obviously a short ferry crossing as the dog has to stay in the car. For 3 weeks go to the south of France. The border between Spain and France is just drive through, so north of Spain is a lovely option too. I did camping yole last year which is next to a vineyard and close to a dog beach and dogs free onsite. Most Eurocamps take dogs - just need to confirm over the chat box or reach out direct to the site. South coast of France also has some excellent surfing camps for families if that's your vibe. When settled in your holiday destination book into the local vet. For 40 euro you'll get a French EU pet passport and worming tablet - and you'll never have to pay for an AHC again (and if your rabies is for 3 yes, costs reduce again). So you'll have a French dog :-)

we have used holidays4dogs before and can't rate them highly enough, they might have someone with availability.

www.holidays4dogs.co.uk/

Have a look at Animal Aunts. They have people who will look after all types of pets in your home or theirs.

If you do take the dog with you the Portsmouth / Caen ferry crossing is the shortest of the long crossings, if that makes sense. It means you can leave your dog in the car. We used to do the overnight crossing and our dog would sleep for the whole crossing. Any of the longer crossings and you will have to use the kennels on board.