Caravan Travel With A Pet Inside the U.K.

If you are going to a caravan site firstly check with the owners that pets are allowed.

Make sure that you have a travelling cage for your dog or cat. It needs to be large enough for them to be comfortable. Let your pet test the cage before you plan to travel especially if you are going a long way. It may help your pet to relax if you put a familiar blanket or cushion in the cage. Ensure that they have enough water for the journey. Take a spare bottle with you so that you can top up their water from time to time.

If you have a dog you are probably have the necessary equipment to keep them restrained when out and about, but this may not be the case if you have a cat. Some cats are house cats and they may be happy to remain in a caravan for the duration of the holiday. If this is the case with your cat you need to ensure that your caravan has good ventilation otherwise it may get too hot inside on a warm day.

Some people buy leads for their cats so that they can take them on a walk. Others choose to let their cats roam free, but this can be a risk if they become disorientated and try to find their way home. There are collar tags available that can be electronically tracked, this could be useful if you are trying to find your cat and it is hiding somewhere.

Caravan Travel With A Pet Outside of the U.K.

It is possible to travel in your caravan with cats, dogs and ferrets outside of the U.K. on the Pets Travel Scheme (PETS). This scheme allows these pets to enter the U.K. from certain countries, all of the E.U. and certain other non-EU countries without having to be quarantined for six months. This is great if you are a caravanner who likes to travel around Europe for your vacations.

To comply with PETS you must have your pet micro chipped, then vaccinated against rabies, blood tested to ensure an acceptable level of protection against rabies. When the pet is to return to the U.K. it must be treated for ticks and tapeworm no less than 24 hours and no more than 48 hours before it is to embark on its return journey. Your pet must travel from a PETS listed country by an authorised route and with an authorised carrier back to the UK.

It is essential that you travel with all of the relevant documentation and proofs of the treatment. When travelling outside of the U.K. you must get an additional veterinary certificate. If you do not have sufficient evidence that your pet is compliant with the PETS scheme it will be taken into quarantine for six months or until you can show compliance.

The cost of taking your dog, cat or ferret on your caravan holiday through the PETS scheme is likely to start at around £125, but it can varies significantly. Don’t forget that you will need to have booster jabs from time to time and have the passport re stamped to prove that your pet is still healthy.

Certain countries have more strict rules about animal behaviour than we do in the UK. For example in Switzerland dogs some must be muzzled in public places.

Taking your pet on a caravan holiday can be great fun if you are prepared. To ensure maximum enjoyment always check the local rules of the campsite, country or principality and make sure that you are in accordance with government legislation at all times.

310,000 deaths across Europe every year are directly attributed to bad air quality. The cost to the European economy is estimated to be 427 to 790 billion euros every year. In order to meet targets a number of countries have created low emission zones in certain cities. London was the pioneer of this idea, schemes are also in place in Oxford and Norwich. Germany, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Hungary, the Netherlands, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland and Italy all now have L.E.Z. in place. Unfortunately there is no unifying principle behind the zones; they are implemented differently in every country.

Generally in order to enter a LEZ your vehicle must fall below the required emissions targets or you must pay a toll, in certain places some vehicles are banned. The age of your vehicle and the type of engine it has contribute to your emissions rating. You can discover your emissions rating by looking at your vehicle registration papers, if your vehicle is registered in the U.K. or in the Netherlands you can find this information on line. In order to align your vehicle with the Euro Standards you can buy a newer vehicle, retrofit the engine including placing filters on the engine, or reorganise your travel plans to avoid these zones, there are also certain exemptions in place for example on very old vehicles, check with your destination for details.

All of the schemes penalise heavy goods vehicles weighing over 3.5 tonnes, many diesel vehicles are affected but the treatment of other vehicles varies quite considerably. You will need to find out prior to travel what the restrictions are at your destination. In most cities the restrictions will not apply to caravans being towed by a moderately weighted vehicle, but some motor homes are likely to be affected. There are a high number of low emission zones in Germany, their policy can affect any vehicle and you must have a window sticker before you enter an LEZ city to avoid being fined (currently 40 euros).

This scheme is not likely to go away any time soon, there is evidence that suggests that it is having a positive affect on air purity which means that it is likely to continue to expand to new countries and cities. Always check before travelling to see if you are going to be affected.

Each country that you are planning to travel through will have a different set of road laws so it is essential to be fully up-to-date in every place. Road laws comprise of the way that you use the road, what constitutes road-worthiness and in some instances the things that you must carry with you.

Even if you are an experienced caravanner you still need to check for any changes in the law. Contact the tourist office for the country you are travelling to, to be assured that you have the most current information.

There are a number of items that you are required to have with you whilst travelling, this varies from country to country. This is a list of things you are highly likely to need:

1. Warning Triangles – Many countries require that one is carried, two are needed for towing caravans in Spain, Croatia, Slovenia and Turkey.  

2. Fire extinguisher and a first aid kit. Rules on this vary but it is always advisable to carry both. 

3. Extra mirror extensions – Compulsory in Spain. 

4. Reflective jacket – Compulsory in a number of countries including France, Spain and Italy. In Italy it must be kept within reach of the drivers seat and any additional passengers should have one as well.  

5. If your license plates were issued before 2001 (and do not display the Euro GB sign) you will need to display a GB sticker on both plates. 

6. You may need to adjust your headlights to suit driving on the right. Kits are available to do this but do not leave it to the last minute as a dealer may need to carry out the change.

Legal road usage is dependant on local and national rules but some of the key areas where travellers get caught out are:  

• Drink driving thresholds are significantly lower in Europe than they are in the U.K., it is always advisable to drink no alcohol if you intend on driving.

• Radar/speed camera detectors are illegal in many countries, even if they are not in use.

• The speed is in kilometres and not miles per hour.  

• Drive on the right hand side of the road! Only Cyprus, Ireland, Malta and the U.K. drive on the left hand side of the road in Europe. It can be easy to slip back into familiar habits so make sure that you fully concentrate at all times. 

• There are low emissions zones (L.E.Z.) in Europe. For example in parts of Germany where the correct stickers must be displayed in order to drive legally.

There are a number of other items that it is always advisable to carry in your caravan, home or away:

• A complete tool kit.

• A spare wheel.

• Spare gas cannisters – ferries will only let you take a limited amount of gas on board. Calor gas is not generally available on the continent, so it may be necessary to take an adaptor/regulator so that you can use another type. Before you travel check with your destination about what is available as gas pressures vary.

 It is also important to take all the necessary documents with you when you travel. Of course you need your passports (including for any pets), any necessary visas and driving licenses. It is also recommendable to take your vehicle documentation, including your MOT certificate and if you are borrowing the towing car, documentation to prove that it is legally in your possession. Check with your insurer well before you travel that you are adequately insured to drive abroad.

Each of your party should get a European health insurance card (E.H.I.C.), this provides basic health insurance whilst in Europe. It is also prudent to take out travel insurance and to take all of the relevant documentation with you.

With all of this sorted you can confidently set out on your travels so that you have a great trip every time!