Travel with Guinea pigs to Italy, through France, from UK

[Katsycakes]

Hi! Did you get the piggies checked on the day of boarding as mentioned on the form from Eurotunnel?

Hi! No - I didn’t see that policy when we travelled - that would have been an absolute nightmare on an already stressful and logistically challenging day! As far as I remember, the requirements when we travelled were just to get the form filled out within a week of travel.

We just went to a pets at home vet as it was the cheapest quickest option but we called around quite a few local vets to see who would be able to do this. It’s best to warn them when you book the appointment that this is what you need and print out the form for them. We also emailed them the form in advance so they were prepared.

Edit - I just had another look and the form says it’s valid for 10 days. Where did you see that you had to have the vet visit on the same day?

 

[rita]

Hi! No - I didn’t see that policy when we travelled - that would have been an absolute nightmare on an already stressful and logistically challenging day! As far as I remember, the requirements when we travelled were just to get the form filled out within a week of travel.

We just went to a pets at home vet as it was the cheapest quickest option but we called around quite a few local vets to see who would be able to do this. It’s best to warn them when you book the appointment that this is what you need and print out the form for them. We also emailed them the form in advance so they were prepared.

Edit - I just had another look and the form says it’s valid for 10 days. Where did you see that you had to have the vet visit on the same day?

Thanks so much again! The point 3 a). Then valid for 10 days, yes, you're right! It looks like the ferries DFDS also take pets other than Cats, dogs and ferrets. But again, not clear about what it's needed. We actually might not be traveling from Calais, as another route is more convenient, let's see!
And yes, the vets are also confused, we need to tell them what we need precisely!

 

[rita]

Thanks so much again! The point 3 a). Then valid for 10 days, yes, you're right! It looks like the ferries DFDS also take pets other than Cats, dogs and ferrets. But again, not clear about what it's needed. We actually might not be traveling from Calais, as another route is more convenient, let's see!
And yes, the vets are also confused, we need to tell them what we need precisely!

Ok, in case this is of anyone's interest, I found out that the form from the Eurotunnel website comes from the French authorities website here. So it should be valid to any carrier as long as they accept these pets. Will keep you posted!

 

[rita]

Just another question, sorry!: did you give them a treatment for parasites as required? I have order Verm-ex, it's a more natural one, hope it's validated by the vet!

 

[Katsycakes]

Just another question, sorry!: did you give them a treatment for parasites as required? I have order Verm-ex, it's a more natural one, hope it's validated by the vet!

The vet gave them the usual ivermectin while we were there, but worth asking if they’ll sign off on the verm-ex!

I’d check with the ferry if they make you put the piggies in the kennels with the cats and dogs. We had to and since we were going to Amsterdam it was a 8 hour ferry trip which we decided would be too stressful for them with all of the barking and other animal smells.

Ask as many questions as you like I know it’s a stressful time, especially with the extra piggie hurdles! Happy to help

 

[likehurricanes]

Hi all.

I need to drive to Italy to pack our family home - we will all hopefully soon be together back in the UK. I have my daughter's two girl piggies with me here in the UK at the moment, and plan to take them with me in the car. I've been trying to find out what format letter I need to accompany the piggies to show they have no health issues and are domestic pets, not commercial, but am struggling to find the form that's mentioned online. Apparently it's defined in "Annex 27 of the Order of 19 July 2002", but I fall asleep as soon as I open the documents that I've found through google and have not managed to find the guidance referred to.

If anyone knows could they please let me know what needs to be in the letter, or preferable send me a copy of one that they have used? Thanks.

Al.

Hey there!

I am trying to do the same as you have done and bring my piggy with me to Italy by car and cannot find anything in regards to paperwork and documents anywhere! I contacted APHA to get a certificate from them but they said they don't have any and are not aware of the requirements. May I ask how did you manage to move your piggies to Italy?

Many thanks in advance!
Pam

 

[Katsycakes]

Hey there!

I am trying to do the same as you have done and bring my piggy with me to Italy by car and cannot find anything in regards to paperwork and documents anywhere! I contacted APHA to get a certificate from them but they said they don't have any and are not aware of the requirements. May I ask how did you manage to move your piggies to Italy?

Many thanks in advance!
Pam

It will depend on where your port of entry is - presumably France? If you’re taking the Eurotunnel then my previous comments should be helpful. There’s a form I’ve linked in a previous comment and it’s also available on the Eurotunnel website.

If you’re getting a ferry it’s worth checking the ferry website as well but if your port of entry is France it should still be the same form

 

[likehurricanes]

It will depend on where your port of entry is - presumably France? If you’re taking the Eurotunnel then my previous comments should be helpful. There’s a form I’ve linked in a previous comment and it’s also available on the Eurotunnel website.

If you’re getting a ferry it’s worth checking the ferry website as well but if your port of entry is France it should still be the same form

Hi there,

thank you for your help! if I am correct you then went through France to get to Amsterdam? Did you need any further paperwork or did they accept the french form? x

 

[Katsycakes]

Hi there,

thank you for your help! if I am correct you then went through France to get to Amsterdam? Did you need any further paperwork or did they accept the french form? x

That’s correct! We took the Eurotunnel and drove through Belgium and France on our way to the Netherlands. There was no additional paperwork needed as there’s no official borders between these countries, so as long as you make it into the Schengen area with the piggies you’re all good!

 

[NaomiLuna]

Sorry to revive an old thread - but in case any one else is googling for this later - Eurotunnel have apparently since changed their policies and you can take guinea pigs on the Eurotunnel as long as you have this form filled out by a vet. There's a specific page on their website that details this policy.

I figure I've spent 2 hours googling around travelling with the pigs to Europe post Brexit, I may as well save someone else the time!

Thank you for posting this! Just looking into this myself a later in the year and my piggies. I've been so panicked about it that was very reassuring .