Pet cats, dogs and ferrets - Moving to France on a permanent basis
If you are staying permanently in France with your pet which can be a dog, cat or ferret (mammals carnivorous) or if you are going to transport your animal through France without returning to UK:
You can take only 3 animals to France (all species included) per owner per family with only one owner being allowed per family. If you are taking more than 3 animals, you need the authorization of the French Minister of Agriculture (See address below).
Your pet has to be at least 3 months old to travel in France otherwise you must apply for authorization to import it at the French Ministry of Agriculture, Fischeries, Food and rural Affairs (Animal Welfare Office) (See address below).
Please contact:
[|MAPAAR|] [|Bureau de la protection animale|] [|251 rue Vaugirard - 75732 Paris Cedex 15 France|] [|Tel : 00 33 1 49 55 84 70|] [|Fax : 00 33 1 49 55 81 97|] [[|Website : http://www.agriculture.gouv.fr|]->http://www.agriculture.gouv.fr]
You will need to obtain certificates issued by a Local Veterinary Inspector (a private veterinary surgeon who is allowed to issue certificates for the import/export of pets) to travel with your animal :
I. A certificate of Good Health (in both languages) to testify that your pet has no signs of disease, above all any signs of a contagious disease of the species. This certificate should be issued between 1 and 5 days before the entry of the animal into France.
II. A certificate from a Local Veterinary Inspector showing that the pet has stayed at least 6 months before the departure to France or has been in the U.K. since its birth.
You can find a registered veterinary surgeon if you consult the website : http://www.yell.com
If you are only staying in a camp site or in an holiday village in France your pet (dog, cat and ferret) has to be vaccinated against rabies.
More generally, a rabies vaccination and treatments for tapeworms and ticks are nott compulsory but they are advisable.
For any trip overseas we would recommend you bring updated vaccination record of the pet and that your animal is treated against diseases widespread in Europe such as:
Heartworm (Dirofilaria)
Leishmaniasis
Babesiosis
Ehrlichiosis
Tapeworm
Distemper
Hepatitis, etc.
Please talk to your veterinary surgeon about these.
Regarding the journey, please contact the appropriate transport companies to check if your are allowed to travel with your pet.