Pet passports & travelling between UK and Ireland with a dog

[poppymango]

We are getting a puppy this summer and I'm a bit confused about what's needed for travel between the UK and Ireland nowadays.

We go over to Ireland regularly to visit family and are excited to be able to take our new dog on road trips, but I'm aware it'll need a pet passport and a health certificate before each trip. Is that still accurate? Does it matter if we get the passport on UK or Ireland? Or both? How much do the health checks cost these days?

I have family and friends who are willing to take the dog sometimes if we can't travel with it but I'd really like the dog to come with us in the car every time and be part of the holiday. Slightly nervous about what we are getting into, however!!

Thanks :)

Irish customs require your dog to have a passport and a tape worm tablet administered by a vet 1-5 days before travel. The passport must be stamped by a vet. Uk customs require a rabies vaccination at least 2 weeks before travel.
They do check and can quarantine the dog without it - it's a pain

Your dog will need to be microchipped, have a heath passport, be vaccinated against rabies and have tapeworm meds administered before entering Ireland.
www.gov.ie/en/department-of-agriculture-food-and-the-marine/publications/pet-travel/#bringing-your-pet-into-ireland

Just be aware too that Ireland is less dog friendly than the UK in some ways. Dogs would not typically be allowed in shops/cafes/restaurants unless assistance dogs.

A more limited number of hotels will have dog friendly rooms. If you’re staying with family it’s less of a problem of course.

Depending on the breed of dog, they may need to be kept on a short lead and muzzled in public places. This only applies to restricted breeds (but includes popular breeds such as german shepherds).
I only mention it because regulations are different to those in the UK.
help.dogs.ie/knowledge-base/irish-banned-dogs/

As the UK is no longer in the EU, you have to get an Animal Health Certificate issued each time you travel to Ireland.

https://www.passpets.co.uk/taking-a-dog-to-ireland

https://www.gov.uk/taking-your-pet-abroad

DO NOT USE Vets for Pets FOR PET TRAVEL CERTIFICATES. We are first time dog owners and we booked in for a travel certificate to take our pup abroad, since we're registered at this location, not realising Vets for Pets charge £362 pounds for the travel certificate when other vets give the same service for £99. Beware.