Stena Line has been accredited to transport pets to the UK from the continent under the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS). To make your trip go smoothly you will need to be familiar with the EU and PETS rules and Stena Line's terms and conditions of carriage of pets. We also recommend that you seek advice on how to ensure your pet's wellbeing during the journey as this is your responsibility. All pets must either travel in your vehicle or in the onboard kennel. Pets are not allowed in the public areas or cabins onboard our ships for hygiene reasons.
Onboard kennel
There are a limited number of places available in the onboard kennel that must be booked in advance of travel by calling the Stena Line call centre on 08447 70 70 70. Pets can travel inside your vehicle however, we recommend that dogs should be placed in the kennel.
Travelling by car
At check in you will receive a coloured hanger to identify that you are carrying a pet. This should be placed on your windscreen rear-view mirror and must remain there until you have cleared customs in each port. When boarding the ship we ask you to follow the directions from our staff closely. After boarding please report to the information desk on deck 8.
If your pet is travelling inside your vehicle you must ensure that:
• your pet at all times remains inside your vehicle.
• the ventilation inside your vehicle is good and the pet's welfare is well catered for.
Travelling on foot
If you are travelling on foot you must book the onboard kennel for your pet, your pet may otherwise not be permitted to travel. After boarding please report to the information desk on deck 8, our staff will then help you to place your pet in the kennel.
Visits during the crossing
We recommend that you make a short visit to your pet during the crossing to ensure its wellbeing. This can be arranged at the information desk on deck 8 where a member of staff will advise you when the visit can take place. Your pet may however at no time leave the vehicle or kennel.
Which pets does it concern?
Dogs, cats and ferrets are subject to the EU pet passport UK Pet Travel scheme (PETS) rules and must comply to avoid quarantine in the UK. Direct travel between the UK and Ireland is subject to free movement. Please contact the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) in the UK for further information, www.defra.gov.uk.
EU pet passport
Pet travel with dogs, cats and ferrets is bound by the conditions of the EU pet passport. The EU pet passport replaces all passports or other documents previously used for pet travel in Europe including the PETS document. The EU pet passport can be acquired at any authorised veterinarian after a microchip has been fitted and a successful blood test has been given. The following procedures must be followed in the order listed below.
Micro chip
Your pet must be fitted with an approved electronic transponder (microchip) for identification by an authorised veterinarian. Several organisations handle the registration of electronic pet identification numbers. This registration may also be useful when retrieving a runaway pet.
Rabies vaccination
Your pet must be vaccinated against rabies by an authorised veterinarian. This procedure must occur after fitting the microchip. Your veterinarian will need to register this vaccination in the EU pet passport.
Blood-test
This test must show that the vaccination against rabies has given your pet satisfactory protection. The test must be taken within the timeframe that is determined nationally. For the UK this means six calendar months prior to entry or re-entry. No further tests are required after the first test which gives a satisfactory result, provided the pet is subsequently revaccinated against rabies by the "Valid until" date in the EU pet passport.
Tick and tapeworm treatment
Your pet must have undergone a tick and tapeworm treatment by an authorised veterinarian not less than 24 hours and not more than 48 hours prior to check in for travel to the UK.
The EU pet passport must be completed in section VI (ticks) and section VII (worms) giving the time and date of treatment.
At check in
You must declare that you are carrying a pet to Stena Line check-in staff. If your pet is a dog, cat or ferret: when travelling to the UK a member of staff will check that the EU passport has been completed in accordance with the PETS rules and read the microchip on your pet verifying its identity. If your documentation is in breach of the PETS rules Stena Line is obliged to refuse your pet to travel under the PETS scheme.
After the crossing
After disembarkation in Harwich you may be subject to an inspection by DEFRA so please keep your papers close at hand.
Stena Line terms and conditions of carriage of pets
• You are responsible for ensuring the animal's welfare during the crossing.
• All pets must travel inside a vehicle or in the onboard kennel and remain there throughout the crossing.
• We recommend that dogs should travel in the provided onboard kennel and Stena Line cannot be held responsible for any material or immaterial damage that may arise from not using our kennel facilities
• It is your obligation to ensure that all conditions for EU pet travel and the UK Pet Travel scheme (PETS) are met. Stena Line cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of the information given.
• Should your pet not meet the conditions of the EU pet travel and the UK Pet Travel scheme (PETS) the animal is liable to be held in UK quarantine for a period of up to 6 months or be re-exported.
• Stena Line is obliged as an accredited PETS carrier to verify your documentation on travel to the UK and will refuse the carriage of your pet if the documentation is in breach of the PETS rules.
• If you are planning to quarantine your pet in the UK you will be fully responsible for all arrangements and cost associated with this procedure. You will need to produce the relevant documentation to Stena Line prior to carriage.
• Stena Line cannot be held liable for any cost material or immaterial in connection with non compliance with EU pet travel and PETS rules.
Stena Line wishes you and your pet a pleasant trip
