Here in the British Isles we’ve got used to free travel, in every form, between all the sovereign states and dependencies that make up our group of islands. Things officially changed though when the Pet’s Passport was bought in but it was basically ignored; heck, we’d always moved animals around so what was different?
The “blind eye” turned by port officials is now officially ended and frankly most of the blame for this can be laid fairly and squarely at the people who bring over van loads of Irish dogs for “rehoming”. Because of them you now cannot transport cats, dogs or ferrets between the two countries without a Pet’s Passport and all the relevant paperwork. So remember this if you are thinking of taking your Glen of Imaal Terrier to visit his ancestral routes!
Stephen Holmes
November 14, 2013 at 6:04 am
Liz can you please confirm that a dog now needs a passport to travel from the UK to Eire ? and if so what about from Northern Ireland to Eire that border is impossible to police i would be interested to know thanks>
sue
November 14, 2013 at 9:15 am
Yes you do – http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/pets/introduction/
Agreed the the North/South border will not be well policed but if stopped you will need correct documentaion. Documents can also be checked at any port.
Stephen Holmes
November 14, 2013 at 9:18 am
Ha Ha i dont see that working between north and south impossible! but thanks
sue
November 14, 2013 at 11:35 am
More likely it will be policed at the ports in to/from North. All dogs in Northern Ireland have to be licenced so unless you have the documents to prove they are not from the South you could find your dog returned to Eire or put in Quarantine
Stephen Holmes
November 14, 2013 at 8:03 pm
Ive spoken to lads on either side of the border they simply laughed and said like cattle,pigs and sheep “unworkable”
sue
November 14, 2013 at 8:37 pm
Probably is unworkable across the border but you could get caught out at a port.
Stephen Holmes
November 16, 2013 at 5:34 pm
Ive just spoken to 3 lads who have just come back from Eire on the ferry with 3 gundogs a weeks shooting nobody stopped or asked about their dogs?
E-F-G
November 17, 2013 at 10:50 am
This time they were lucky but what about next? Everybody makes their own decision as to whether to follow the law or not
Liz
Stephen Holmes
November 17, 2013 at 3:09 pm
Liz they hadnt a clue about the change!