Treat your furry friend to a ferry break

The Pet Travel Scheme allows animal owners to take their furry friends overseas on ferry trips

Ferry travel offers many advantages over flying, such as the freedom of taking your own car on holiday, the convenience of being able to bring as much luggage as you like without worrying about limits or fees, and the ability to relax and stretch your legs while travelling to your destination.

One of the most recent additions to this list of benefits is the option to embark on an overseas trip with a pet. Relaxed quarantine laws and the Pet Travel Scheme mean that dogs, cats and ferrets can travel with their owners between the UK and Belgium, France, the Netherlands and Spain without needing to be quarantined. Holidaymakers simply have to get their animal a passport and a few health checks before setting off, while those heading from the UK to Ireland, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands do not have to meet any requirements.

P&O Ferries and Eurotunnel were recently added to the range of companies offering animal crossings through AFerry.co.uk, joining the likes of LD Lines, NorthLink, Celtic Link Ferries and Wightlink.

With such a wide range of operators and sailings to choose from, there has never been a better time for pet owners to treat their four-legged companion to an overseas adventure.

Places to visit

The addition of P&O Ferries and Eurotunnel to the selection of pet-carrying operators bookable through AFerry.co.uk means that there is an extensive range of travel options available to customers heading to France.

P&O's regular crossings on the Dover to Calais ferry route provide quick and easy access to northern France. One of the most appealing aspects of this region for dog owners is the range of coastal destinations on offer, which provide plenty of beaches and scenic seafront to walk along. The main resort is Le Touquet, although there are many other towns and villages offering relaxing seaside strolls and a peaceful atmosphere.

Another option is to take ferries from Portsmouth to Le Havre with LD Lines to explore Normandy. This is one of France's most popular holiday regions, boasting upmarket destinations such as Cote Fleurie, Deauville and Honfleur, as well as the historic D-Day landing beaches. Visitors can see Mont Saint Michel, one of northern France's most recognisable landmarks, or head inland to cities such as Rouen, which is known for its spectacular cathedral.

Dogs enjoy the beach just as much as their owners

Pet owners planning to stay closer to home can take ferries from Portsmouth to Fishbourne or Ryde with Wightlink, which also operates ferries from Lymington to Yarmouth, to explore the Isle of Wight. The island offers plenty of scenic walking routes that holidaymakers can explore with their dogs, such as the eight-mile trails from Brighstone to Niton and from Ryde to Cowes.

Other companies offering services for people planning a holiday with their pet include NorthLink, Acciona Trasmediterranea and Grandi Navi Veloci, providing opportunities for animal lovers to explore regions ranging from Scotland's dramatic Northern Isles to the sun-soaked and luxurious Mediterranean.

Part of the family

According to statistics from the Pet Food Manufacturers' Association, the number of pets owned across the UK reached approximately 24 million in 2010. Dogs are still the most popular, with more than ten million domestic canines living in homes across Britain, followed by cats, which number about eight million.

Bringing your pet on holiday is a great way to keep the children entertained

About half of all UK households own a pet of some kind. For many people, their animals really are a part of the family, and the option of taking them on holiday is proving highly popular. According to the Passenger Shipping Association, more than 550,000 animals have been transported under the Pet Travel Scheme since 2000, with P&O Ferries estimating that it carries about 10,000 dogs on ferries to France every year.

There are many advantages of taking your pet on holiday, such as not having to worry about leaving your animal alone or in a kennel while you are away, or arranging for a friend or family member to look after them. Ferry travellers can enjoy the peace of mind of knowing that their pet is safe and well, and enjoying the holiday just as much as their owner.

Pets can also bring an added sense of fun to a holiday and provide even more encouragement for travellers to embark on long walks and enjoy the landscapes and scenery on offer in their destination.

Ferry travellers can enjoy the peace of mind of knowing that their pet is safe and well, and enjoying the holiday just as much as their owner.

What you need to do

The first thing that animal owners planning to take their pet abroad will need to do is pay a visit to the vet to ensure that their dog, cat or ferret has a microchip. The vet will also provide a rabies vaccination and a blood test to check that the vaccination has worked.

Another requirement is obtaining an EU pet passport, which shows that the animal has been microchipped and had a successful rabies vaccination. A government-authorised vet will need to fill in parts of the passport to confirm that the animal is exempt from quarantine.

Travellers returning to the UK will need to get their pet treated against ticks and tapeworm, a cheap and simple procedure that must be completed between 24 and 48 hours prior to check-in. People going on day trips from the UK will need to have the treatment carried out before they leave, adhering to the same time limits regarding their return journey.

Once the checks and formalities have been completed, you are free to book your ferry crossing and set off on a holiday with your furry friend in tow.