My husband and I are planning on bringing back a dog we adopted last year at the beginning of November, but we are slightly confused as to how to do so. Can anybody suggest the best route back to England, either by ferry or road through France?

We were hoping to take the fast ferry from Santander to Plymouth, but it stops running in October, and we don't really want to fly back with him. Has anybody got any better ideas?

might be an idea to come to scruffts dog show nextr week and speak to linda pixley (APAA) re transfering dogs as my understanding (and I could be wrong) is that the final blood test has to be done 24 hours before arrival and the santander ferry takes longer than this

any worth coming to ask

The Santander ferry on the winter schedules leaves Santander about 15.30 arriving in Plymouth around 9.30 am the next morning which appears to contradict what has already been written.

The Pont Aven has a dedicated kennels area to which owners are given an access code so they can visit their pets and they are able to take them for a walk on the top deck. The kennels are the metal cage variety but seem to be a good size and you are welcome to put your dogs' own bedding and toys in the kennel and visit them often.


The cost for a pet from Spain to the UK is £30-00. Addditionally the fox tapeworm and ticks treatment thingy has to be 24 - 48 hours prior to departure.

Maddi

All the info can be found at

http://www.brittanyferries.co.uk

We have driven back to the UK several times with dogs. We always use the Accor group of hotels because they all take pets. There is plenty of choice at different prices between Sofitel, Novotel, Mercure and Ibis hotels and these can be found at various points on a drive up through Spain and France to the channel ports. We used to stop first at Madrid and then Bordeaux where we would get the dogs treated for ticks and fleas and then stop once more before crossing the channel.

You do of course have to make sure that your dog has a pet passport plus the tick/flea treatment otherwise you won't be allowed into the UK

Sorry Maddi the Pont Aven does stop running this route on the 24th October and the Bretagne takes over, this is a much slower boat, doesn't depart until 19:00 and has no kennels, dogs have to remain in the vehicle, not the best situation.

Hi we too adopted a dog and brought him home 4yrs ago. Linda Pixley at APAA organised everything for us as she looked after him whilst he underwent the procedures necessary for the Pets Passport Scheme. He was originally flown from Faro to Heathrow and we picked him up from there. We did not need to accompany him.

Last year we brought him back to Carvoeiro with us for a holiday and we used the Santander ferry . Facilities were very good for dogs on board. Only problem we had was our dog is quite nervous and dislikes the sound of wind for some reason.As the kennels are on the top deck it was blowing a gale and the noise did cause him to get quite distressed.(not only him , other dogs were too.)

Because of this when we brought him on holiday again this year we went via Eurotunnel and then stayed overnight in France and Spain staying at Ibis hotels which accept dogs. It takes quite a bit longer doing it this way (we travelled from Scotland). I felt the dog was less stressed but we were more stressed with the additional driving! Eating out each night was also a problem as we obviously had the dog and didn't want to leave him in a strange hotel room .

Obviously if the Santander ferry does not run in winter then you really only have two options , fly him back or drive back with him but if you choose to fly him I'm sure Linda could help you organise it.
Tick/flea treatment has to be done minimum 24 hrs / max 48 hrs before checkin so if driving you need to organise a vet at Calais and wait 24 hrs before checking in or arrange a vet in Spain or French border area that will fit in with your timescale.
Personally I would look at flying him back if you can.

Hope this helps
Carolyn

Just to add further comment to carolyn, we too travelled with our dog and stayed at Ibis hotels and the like. All very stress free, especially when we realised that they allow dogs into restaurants in France. He ate out every night with us and it was never a problem.
Considering our dog is a 12 stone, rather huge but very placid Newfoundland we were both astounded and rather pleased that this was possible as otherwise it would have meant us eating out seperately.

As I say, we found it very stress free and the hospitality was great.

Hi everyone, thank you all for your advice. We're in Carvoeiro right now and so have limited internet access, but once we get back home on Wednesday I will look into what you've all suggested.

Thanks again.

Thank you all for your help. Archie flew back to England by B.A into Gatwick last Friday and we collected him from Ladyhey Kennels on Saturday. All his details were sorted out by Ladyhey and he was not stressed at all by flying even though he is a very nervous dog. He has settled very well into his new home and seems to have forgotten he was once a stray street dog.

I am so glad it all went well and that he is now settled into his new home. Lucky him to have found someone to take such good care of him.

Any photos of Archie? I love a happy ending.