P&O Ferries Pets Information

P&O Ferries will carry pets on all services from Dover to Calais and Hull to Rotterdam and Zeebrugge. The P&O Ferries service from Portsmouth to Bilbao does not take part in the Pet Travel Scheme due to the length of the sailing, as this would be unsuitable for any pet to travel.

P&O Ferries are authorised by the British Department of the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to transport cats and dogs to the United Kingdom in accordance with the Pet Travel Scheme. You may therefore travel with P&O with your pets, provided you have the mandatory papers.

Mandatory Documents

(Note: The following papers are mandatory for non-British citizens travelling to the United Kingdom with a pet, and for British citizens returning home with their pet. You must present original documents. Photocopies are not accepted).

A certificate or passport delivered by your veterinary surgeon certifying the efficacy of the anti-rabies vaccine. Note: This certificate must be delivered less than 6 months after the blood sample is taken. The blood sample must be taken at least 6 months before your travel date.

A certificate of treatment for ectoparasites and endoparasites (ticks and tapeworms) published by the Ministry for Agriculture and Fishing and delivered by your veterinary surgeon.

Note: The animal must travel (boat departure time) no less than 24 hours and no more than 48 hours after the treatment is administered.

Computer identity chip. The animal must have a sub-cutaneous computer identity chip fitted by your veterinary surgeon.

Certain breeds of dog reputed to be dangerous are not allowed on British soil.

It is your responsibility to ensure that the documents in your possession are valid. If not, P&O Ferries would be obliged to refuse to embark your pet. P&O Ferries cannot be held responsible for an error made by you or your veterinary surgeon that led to a refusal to embark your pet.

Dover – Calais with P&O

For animals under the pets passport scheme:

Vehicle Drivers :
All animals/Pets need to remain in the vehicle at all times, and access is restricted during this time.

Foot and Coach Passengers :

It is not possible for Foot and Coach Passengers to take pets on the Dover to Calais route. There are exceptions however, with regard to guide and hearing dogs, which are carried free of charge in both directions. Guide and Hearing dogs are both subject to same PET Passport requirements as a regualar pet.

Check-in Times :
Please make sure that you check-in is at least 60 minutes before departure for customers travelling with pets either from Dover or Calais. Please note that these times are the very latest check-in times for customers with animals. We would recommend you to check-in earlier wherever possible.

Hull - Rotterdam / Zeebrugge - For animals under the pets passport scheme

Vehicle Drivers:
With P & O, It is possible for drivers to take domestic PETS; the animals need to remain in their vehicle at all times.

Coach Passengers:
It is not possible for pets to travel with passengers travelling by coach.

Where are Animals Kept Whilst On-Board?:
Domestic pets can be carried in RSPCA approved carriers. Cats and Dogs, and larger animals, will be allocated to kennels. The Kennels are located in an air-conditioned area and are checked hourly during the crossing. There is an entrance to the kennels from car deck 7. The kennels have non-transparent sides so animals cannot see each other. Water is available; however owners need to take their own bowls, food and blankets. There will be an opportunity for owner's to visit their animal, but prior arrangements needs to me made.

Check-in Times:
It is strongly recommend that you check-in at least 3 hours before departure whether you are travelling from Hull or the continent. Please note that these times are actually the very latest check-in times for customers with animals. It is recommended that you check-in earlier wherever possible.

Information Applicable to All Routes:
(Excluding Spain and any sailings operated by the Pride of Bilbao)

Cost:
The charge for the carriage of pets is £15 each way for each animal taken and this needs to be paid at time of booking.