pouyade Posted March 3, 2008 Share Posted March 3, 2008 Our 7 yr old spaniel has travelled happily to France on short ferry crossings, on Speedferries and by Tunnel at least 4 times a year since she was a year old. For our next visit, it suits us to use the Portsmouth - St Malo route but we are concerned as to how she would cope. I read that she would be able to go into kennels (on the Bretagne) rather than having to stay on the car but am still wondering whether it is a great idea.Anyone used the kennel system or able to offer information on the kennel visiting arrangements? Does one end up later/ earlier embarking or disembarking when using the kennels? Do the dogs just wind each other up? Thoughts welcome, by PM if you prefer.Many thanks Pouyade Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deimos Posted March 3, 2008 Share Posted March 3, 2008 In my experience these days BF are not well organised formanaging pets. Last time I travelledwith them I arrived at the port 1:30 before departure, was immediately wavedthrough to the loading area and they then refused to let me take my dogs out ofthe car to relieve themselves before an 8 hr crossing. By this time the dogs had been in the carfor quite a few hours and their officious people at the port were totallyunhelpful and unaware that dogs need to go to the toilet every now and again !! (Fortunately, once we boarded the boat crew appreciatedthe problems and the dogs had an exciting time finding loads of places to go tothe toiled on the boat (with BF’s boat staff permission).My understanding is that the kennels are not used on channelcrossings but only on the trips to/from Spain. BF have told me about their kennels before but I have never been able touse them on channel crossings. However,after my last experiences with BF I will never travel with them again with mydogs.If ferry companies are to be allowed to transport pets theyneed to ensure their staff are aware of the needs of pets and that the staffneed to understand the word “helpful”, “cooperation”, etc. In my experience BF fall far short of themark in this regard and should really not be allowed to take pets.However, my experiences with other ferry companies istotally different. They seem to be ableto be helpful, provide facilities, let your dogs go to the loo, etc. I’m sure there are some good BF staff whenit comes to pets (e.g. the boat crew in my above experience) but coming acrossthem seems a matter of chance – which is not good as, “catch the wrong ones” or“catch them on a bad day” and your pet will suffer.Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Georgina Posted March 3, 2008 Share Posted March 3, 2008 I had a terrible experience with BF where the crossing was delayed ending up with the dog in the car for over 10 hours. This amounted to cruelty and I was not allowed to see her. They don't seem to be prepared to help but are happy to just take the money. I have not taken her since and think it is kinder to put her in kennels whilst i am away.Georgina Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Posted March 3, 2008 Share Posted March 3, 2008 Two cross-channel ships are equipped with kennels, the Bretagne and the Pont Aven. Both are operated by Brittany Ferries, and are used on the St Malo route, though it's only the Bretagne in the summer season. The Pont Aven kennels are situated on the highest deck, I think it's No10, and it is possible to see the dogs at any time and walk them (around that deck only). On the Bretagne, the kennels are, I believe (though I could well be wrong) on the car deck level, so visits are subject to timetables.Although this may not have been the case in the past, the kennels are used on the St Malo route as well as that to Santander. In fact when a ship with kennels is being used, company policy is that use of the kennels is compulsory for all dogs travelling (see http://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/pet-friendly-holidays/taking-your-pet ).Company policy is that dog owners can visit pets, even those carried in cars, on request, subject to the captain's discretion (other than on the Pont Aven of course where the kennels are available at all times). A few captains in the past were sometimes reluctant to grant this, but it seems to be less of a problem now. However most dogs seem perfectly happy to be left for the duration of the crossing - if not then there are mild sedatives and other tranquilising measures that your vet can prescribe (though I know this is controversial). You embark and disembark with all the other passengers, though obviously you need to drop off and collect the dog as part of the procedure. As to whether or not dogs wind each other up, that's purely down to the individual dogs. Most of the time they seem to get along fine, though it only takes one awkward or aggressive animal to mess things upMany people believe that the worst part of taking a dog is the procedure at the French ports (at least those used by Brittany Ferries) where the dog has to be taken to a check in desk inside the terminal building rather than being checked at the kiosks, as in Britain. Although there were difficulties in the earlier years of the Passport sceme, as described by the other two respondents (and particularly on the P&O Le Havre and Cherbourg routes, by all accounts), things seem to have settled down to a much more dog-friendly regime now. After all you pay a fare now to take the dog, unlike before, so you are entitled to expect something in return. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fleur Posted March 3, 2008 Share Posted March 3, 2008 Hi PouyadeWe travelled here with our two dogs - one of 7 years and one of 17 years old - on an overnight sailing and we left the dogs in the car. They had their own travel cages with bedding water and food in each, plus the window left open a crack.The person in charge of the parking told us that he'd check the dogs and contact our cabin if any problems during the sailing.There were no problems and the dogs were happier in their beds than they would ever have been in a kennel.Our doggie travel kit also included nappy changing mats, nappy sacs etc. None were needed we're delighted to say.Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deimos Posted March 3, 2008 Share Posted March 3, 2008 [quote user="Will"]Although there were difficulties in the earlier years of the Passport sceme, as described by the other two respondents (and particularly on the P&O Le Havre and Cherbourg routes, by all accounts), things seem to have settled down to a much more dog-friendly regime now. After all you pay a fare now to take the dog, unlike before, so you are entitled to expect something in return. [/quote]My "problems" with BF were last summer (2007). Their behaviour really should mean they are stopped from carrying pets as they seem quite cpable of inhumane treatment of animals.I will never again risk my pets on a BF boat.Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russethouse Posted March 3, 2008 Share Posted March 3, 2008 In light of your experience perhaps it would be worth other people using this service stopping before they reach the ferry terminal, to let their dogs 'stretch their legs' etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Posted March 3, 2008 Share Posted March 3, 2008 [quote user="Will"]In fact when a ship with kennels is being used, company policy is that use of the kennels is compulsory for all dogs travelling (see http://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/pet-friendly-holidays/taking-your-pet ).[/quote]Although this is stated as company policy, and you have to opt for a kennel when booking, in practice we have always been given the choice of leaving the dog in the car, which we prefer, as she is more comfortable in familiar surroundings. It's important to get the dog used to being alone in the car, and to stop at Sutton Scotney services on the way to Portsmouth and at St Malo on the way back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WendyG Posted March 3, 2008 Share Posted March 3, 2008 HiWe used to take our 3 dogs back and forth regularly on BF Portsmouth/Caen criossing and did not experience any problems. They were far happier being left in the back of our Volvo estate with water etc. and did not suffer any problem. It is of course essential that they are let out prior to check-in and then asap after landing.We mostly took the overnight crossings so they slept happily. They had always from puppies travelled in the vehicles and would choose to stay in the back with the tailgate up evebn when at home.Jekyll Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pouyade Posted March 4, 2008 Author Share Posted March 4, 2008 Thanks for all the comments. She has been across Portsmouth - Caen a couple of times without a problem, but the St Malo route, particularly if one is loaded early and/or disembarked late is somewhat longer, without any delays!! I certainly would not relish arriving back at the car to a little ‘accidental present’! As coincidence would have it, my husband’s boss has changed the work schedule again (3 times in 5 days) so we may now be able to revert to the dates we wanted and thereby use the tunnel or a short crossing, which suits us better generally. If anyone sees a ‘dead to the world’ black cocker spaniel, in a Previa, at a service station, with a middle aged owner trying to persuade her to leave it for a pee, that’ll be us doing the 12 hour jaunt to Charente-Maritime. Can’t wait! [:)] Pouyade Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carolski Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 Just a thought; had you ever considered using LD Lines from Dieppe to Newhaven? The crossing is only 4 hours and our little westie has done it several times and seems to be quite happy. They are very efficient when it comes to Pet passports and in our expeience have always been helpful. We too live in dept 17 and find the drive to Dieppe doesnt really take a lot longer. Also LD are a lot cheaper! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitty Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 I've travelled on the Portsmouth-St Malo route with the dog in ferry kennels and in the car. I now prefer keeping our dog in the car, as he is familiar with it.The kennels can be distressing. The Pont Aven (used in the winter on the St Malo crossing and in the summer on the Santander crossing) kennels are right up on a windy top deck, miles from anywhere. I visited the dog during the night and again early morning and he wasn't interesting in 'doing the biz' (the deck is cold metal) and so it was a waste of time. He hated the cage and so did all the other dogs there. Upon disembarkation, I had to go back up to the deck as well as sort out 4 children and the car. Travelling with the dog down to the car deck, stopping him from attacking other dogs, was hard work. I was the last car off and well and truly frazzled.No, everytime from now on, I'll leave him in the car.Another grouse about BF - there's nowhere to walk dogs at Portsmouth or St Malo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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