Bringing a dog from France.

Can somebody clarify what vaccinations are needed (and what timescale) for bringing a dog from France, in my own car? She is already microchipped, and I have a French certificate of ownership, but her vaccination record is unknown as her previous owner committed suicide.

Google searches come up with very confused advice on what is the legal requirement.

While on the subject, what vaccinations are recommended (or compulsory) once I get there?

Many thanks

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We have just returned from a trip to Spain with our two dogs.We needed pet passports and had to have rabies vaccinations for them. On returning to the U.K. we had to have vac. done 24 to 48 hours before entry. Look up the Defra site and you will get all you need. Good luck!


This message was last edited by lifeline on 8/27/2007.

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Thanks Lifeline, but the regulations between France and Spain are more relaxed than those of the UK. Defra cannot help me on this one as I have no plans to go back to the UK, but to settle in Spain. I have even been told that if I enter Spain via the motorways, which I probably will, I'm very unlikely to be stopped. However, I do want to make sure she has the right vaccinations and paperwork.

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I would've thought you'd really want to protect your pet against certain diseases anyway, as we do in the UK. I mean, we have a cat & we put her in a cattery here sometimes & catteries usually insist on vaccinations against cat flu & enteritus. We also have her vaccinated against leukemia. Vet told us he believes this is much more important. If you drive into Spain I would've thought no one stops you with a pet in the car, do they ? You said the previous owner committed suicide but even if the dog was vaccinated against this & that & the other you should go to a vets who will say that as you don't know then you should vaccinate. Your vet should advise on this surely ?

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As far as I know, it's only UK, Ireland and Sweden that have any controls on movement of pets, but I could be wrong. You are required by law to have your pet microchipped in Spain, but apart from that, you should have no problems. And crossing between France and Spain in my experience, you don't even need to slow down!

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Thanks again for you're replies. I'm going to visit the vet on Wednesday to ask his opinion.It looks like she will be having a vaccination against distemper, hepatitis, kennel cough and a couple of other things that I've not heard of before. I have read that she should also have a European certificate of health.

I'll also have her vaccinated against rabies (in case she meets some of those agents I've been reading about on here )

Then, just to be sure, I'll pop her in the glove compartment at the last service station before crossing the border (only joking, people!!)

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"........I'll also have her vaccinated against rabies (in case she meets some of those agents I've been reading about on here"

Nice one, Reverend!

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