Merlin Posted October 26, 2010 Share Posted October 26, 2010 I was troubled to read on another forum's weekly newsletter about advice, planning and check lists etc., to assist those Brits who are planning to leave France and return to the UK. To my dismay, this article completely ignored the rising problem facing owners of pets who are returning to the UK and for various reasons have not got Pet Passports organised in time and decide they have no choice but to leave their pets behind. I did email the the Forum to advise them of this massive oversight in their advice to British residents, but have not received a response. So I wish to point out to ALL who are returning to the UK to live and may have had pets here, PLEASE PLEASE make sure that you are aware of the Pet Passport system that has to be in place before you can take your pets home with you! DEFRA sets it all out quite clearly on their website so for heaven's sake read it, as many vets here in France don't have a clue - and why should they? It's up to you to get it organised and take the responsibility for your beloved pet - don't leave it to others! The figures for Brits leaving their pets behind is shocking and shameful - please don't be one of them if you are reading this and planning your trip home. There are some very good people who can often help out with 'minding' a dog till the passport is ready (seven months from start to finish) and it's usually much cheaper and kinder to leave the dog or cat with a family here if circumstances force it, than quarantine in the UK. Very often the return home is for stressful reasons and the additional stress of leaving your pet behind makes things worse and it's so unnecessary when all it takes is a bit of forward planning or asking for help. They have been a part of your lives, your dream for a new life here that perhaps didn't go as planned - don't make them a casualty and abandon them, it's not their fault and they have been loyal and loving and have asked for little in return. Think how they must feel........ watching you walk away? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rowan Posted October 26, 2010 Share Posted October 26, 2010 Sue from PoorPaws had 2 more "dumped"on her yesterday. She was already packed out and is very fed up. The excuse was "we didn't expect to ever return to the UK".Well, your pets didn't expect you to either! Or at least not without them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pachapapa Posted October 26, 2010 Share Posted October 26, 2010 I note that as of May 2010, I would be limited to 5 ferrets.http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets/pets/travel/index.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mint Posted October 26, 2010 Share Posted October 26, 2010 Merlin, thank you for a "lovely" post about a very "un-lovely" subject. I am saddened just reading about this. If you think it would help you get a response, please PM or email me with how to get in touch with the people or organisation that you wrote to and I will add my voice to yours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merlin Posted October 26, 2010 Author Share Posted October 26, 2010 The more 'voices' the better Sweet - just keep spreading the word wherever you think it will count and be taken note of -thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Judie Posted October 26, 2010 Share Posted October 26, 2010 Please don't think I'm looking for praise or feeling smug, but we are returning to the UK tomorrow with 8 cats and 1 dog; 5 cats, two rabbits and 3 guinea pigs having already been taken there 3 weeks ago.When I took my animals on, I had no idea we would be returning to the UK, but they are a part of our (very large) family and as such, could never be left behind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cendrillon Posted October 26, 2010 Share Posted October 26, 2010 Judie,Good luck with your travels tomorrow with the zoo![:)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merlin Posted October 26, 2010 Author Share Posted October 26, 2010 Judie - it's good to hear and heartwarming to know. Best of luck with your journey and your life back in the UK - hugs to all your pets - they are lucky to have such a caring and responsible human for their owner! Safe trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rowan Posted October 26, 2010 Share Posted October 26, 2010 JudieI think you deserve to feel smug! Enjoy it! Your animals are very lucky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mint Posted October 26, 2010 Share Posted October 26, 2010 Judie, you are a wonderful, kind person and I have always known it. This is to wish you and Will the very best for your new life back in the UK.You'll have all your animals around you and, to me, no place is truly home without your lovely, loving animals............ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybanana Posted October 26, 2010 Share Posted October 26, 2010 Why is Judie leaving? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mint Posted October 26, 2010 Share Posted October 26, 2010 Never you mind! Just look in your PMs! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Posted October 28, 2010 Share Posted October 28, 2010 Well, we're back and all the animals are safely installed.Had a couple of mishaps along the way - rough crossing, one cat escaped into the car and vomited all over Bill's carseat. Then one got out of her box just before we arrived at our UK destination. Then my lovely mother accidently let the dog out today and she ran off down the road looking for me but a kindly neighbour found her and was just taking her for a walk when I turned up.I'm so lucky that I was able to bring them all back here. I feel privileged.Judie (Mrs Will) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mint Posted October 28, 2010 Share Posted October 28, 2010 Well done, Judie!You must be completely exhausted and sooooo happy.My very, very best wishes for your and Will's happiness back in Blighty.If you can bear it, please do not desert us here on the Forum and still living in France. Please continue to give us the benefit of your experience and advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nectarine Posted October 29, 2010 Share Posted October 29, 2010 Judie, well done on taking care of your animals! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merlin Posted October 29, 2010 Author Share Posted October 29, 2010 I hope everyone settles in quickly and your return home proves a happy one for all concerned. It's a frantic adventure getting everyone back safe I know, but well done! Rest and enjoy whils they all find their feet in their new surroundings! So Glad it all worked out and hope it shows lots of people on here that it can be done with the proper planning, patience and a good tail wind! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchie Posted October 30, 2010 Share Posted October 30, 2010 I have adopted a lovely little dog who was one of the too many who couldn't go back to the UK with their owners...He is a great pet, so faithful, so clever, so happy, I love him to bits.Try and think of every possible solution before leaving them behind in France, Please............ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybanana Posted October 30, 2010 Share Posted October 30, 2010 Frenchie, is he the one who was driving the car that night, or is that another type of pet?[;-)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchie Posted October 30, 2010 Share Posted October 30, 2010 Here is my baby... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybanana Posted October 30, 2010 Share Posted October 30, 2010 Cute! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
louis Posted October 31, 2010 Share Posted October 31, 2010 Frenchie he looks identical to a little dog I recently adopted from the SPA in Carcassonne. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchie Posted October 31, 2010 Share Posted October 31, 2010 I hope your little dog gives you as much happiness as Jack gives us... ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitty Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 [quote user="Frenchie"]I have adopted a lovely little dog who was one of the too many who couldn't go back to the UK with their owners... [/quote]Me too, Frenchie, but my dog is big and my owners were going to Canada. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Megan le Fey Posted November 5, 2010 Share Posted November 5, 2010 I have known all about the passport thing and thought I had it all done perfectly - how easy it is to get it wrong. The guy at the pets check-in place at the tunnel asked me on what date Val had had his chip implanted as the date was omitted from his passport. I told him that I didn't know but guessed that it was not long before he was imported to France from the USA. He dragged it out until I was ready to have a fit and then asked me to guess at a date and write it in. He said that the date of implantation is the only thing that can be entered by the owner and doesn't need to be certified by the vet. Whew!!!!!!!!!!!! So that was OK then. As if I wasn't stressed enough without him amusing himself at my expense. Anyway, we are now ALL safely back in UK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merlin Posted November 5, 2010 Author Share Posted November 5, 2010 Hi Anne - so glad to hear you got back safe. Is it the house near the beach still? How are things? Would love to catch up when you have some time. Best wishes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.