Travelling with your pet may seem complicated... However, with a little organization, it's a lot easier than you might think. To help you, here's everything you need to know

For the transport of your pet

Car

It is the least stressful means of transport for animals, especially dogs, as it makes it easier to take a break to feed, drink and relieve themselves (think of small poop bags). But it is imperative for safety reasons that your pet does not move while you are driving. As for dogs, it is more reasonable to tie them up with a short leash to prevent them from moving, even if it means isolating them from other passengers by means of a gate or net. Another possibility: the transport cage which is also valid for other animals (cats, ferrets, rabbits...) but it must be well attached to the seat and placed high up to prevent the animal from getting sick. If you are in a country where it's hot, don't leave your dog alone in the car because a dog gets dehydrated very quickly (and the temperature rises very quickly in a car) and can even die from heat stroke. This unfortunately happens very often during the summer holidays..

Finally, even if it seems like common sense, remember that under no circumstances should you put your pet in the trunk as it could have a panic attack or die suffocated by the exhaust fumes.

Train

If your pet weighs less than 6 kilos, it must travel in a bag or basket (45 cm x 30 cm x 25cm). His ticket will cost you 7 € aboard the TGV, Intercités and TER. If your pet weighs more than 6 kilos, it must be muzzled throughout the journey and its ticket will cost you half of yours, even if you are travelling in first class. Good news, for service dogs, such as guide dogs for the blind, the ticket is free.

Plane

If your pet weighs less than 8 kilos, it will be allowed to travel in the cabin in a specific closed, well-ventilated bag that is large enough to allow your pet to turn around. Above 8 kilos, you will have to let your animal go in the hold in an adapted cage (IATA approved). You will pay a fixed price for the transport of your pet in all cases, depending on your destination. As an indication, for a domestic flight in France, this amount is generally 20 € for a transport in the cabin and 40 € for a transport in the hold. As with trains, however, the ticket is free for service dogs

A word of warning, however, concerning transport in the hold: if you can avoid it for your pet it is better because it is often quite traumatic for him. Another problem, often overlooked by airlines, some animals disappear and never arrive on the luggage carpet... And then begins a very complicated battle to find him, when we find him..

Formalities

For all air travel, or travel abroad, it will be required that your pet has all its vaccinations up to date. Any dog or cat travelling within the European Union must be identified by means of a microchip. He must also have a European passport. Provided and filled out by a veterinarian, this passport identifies your pet and certifies that it has been vaccinated. Caution: Ireland, Sweden, the United Kingdom or Malta require additional health conditions. For your travels outside the European Union, remember to find out about the regulations in force in the countries of arrival (vaccinations, quarantine, etc.). For more information on these regulations, ask your veterinarian and/or the embassy of your destination country.