I'm moving to Switzerland in January with my pooch.
We live in the UK at the moment and I think we're going to drive over (she's a rescue and been through quite a lot of trauma so I don't like the idea of putting in the plane hold.)
Does she need anything other than her yearly jabs, a rabies jab, a microchip and a pet passport?
Does anyone have any advice about moving over with a pet and the options? It's proving quite difficult to find options other than flying but I'm really not comfortable flying her over! (she's over 15kg so couldn't travel in the cabin).
You say it’s a rescue dog, do you know what breed/mix it is? Some dog breeds/mixes are banned in Zurich so that could cause a problem.
You’ll need to take your dog to a Swiss vet to be checked over within 10 days of it’s arrival and also to be registered in the ANIS database. You’ll also need to do the mandatory SKN course for dog owners and probably an additional course as your dog is over 15kg in weight. More in this thread:
If you drive over and stop every 2 hours, it should be OK. Yearly jabs, a rabies jab, a microchip and a pet passport, all look OK. You will probably have to use the Channel Tunnel, as the ferry companies have stopped taking animals. Book your ticket early to make savings.
In theory you should declare the dog and pay VAT at the Swiss border, but for a low value animal, only declare her if you are stopped at the border. You would be well advised to stop at the border anyway and obtain the temporary import certificate for your car.
When you get here, take her to a Swiss vet and get her registered with the data bank. There is a dog license tax which varies between the towns.
You will of course have to do the compulsory training course, your vet will know the local trainers' names and addresses.
Has that change happened in the last few days - because when I was booking ferries last week they all had plenty of space and were happy to take dogs!!!
HOWEVER the only company operating services where the dog can be onboard with the owner is on the Portsmouth-LeHavre route where they have a limited number (14 I believe) pet friendly cabins.
Yes, once again you are confusing the issue. Most sailings across the channel require the pet (dog, cat, ferret (listed separately) or other) to be in the car. Po/LH has pet friendly cabins and a sailing pet limit. Other Brittany Ferries' services are a mix of pets in car and pets in kennels - I can't remember which are which though.
Our dog was fine in the car overnight on the Dieppe-Newhaven ferry (both directions) - 4-5hr crossing.
To be fair DodgyKen, most dogs would not. I've been caught on really bad crossings in the past, twice with school groups on the Newhaven-Dieppe, and several times to Calais, and twice having to wait hours to land- so personally, I would never chance this. Tunnel every time- just in case.
As an existing dog-owner, the OP may well not need to take the SKN theory course (but probably will need to do the practical component). As always, this differs from canton to canton in Switzerland. The practical course (in all cantons) needs to be completed within a year of acquiring the dog or arriving in Switzerland with the dog. Again, you'd be best advised to check with the authorities -- start with the Cantonal Veterinarian of the canton in which you plan to live. For example, for Basel-Land, the contact is:
I'm moving to Switzerland in January and my plan was to drive from the UK > Zurich. I live up north so it's about a 14 hour drive (not including stopping, waiting times etc.)
I have a dog so my plan was to rent a van and drop it off in Zurich. No car rental companies allow one way van rental. A few offer one way car renta but it would cost around £1,500 and I couldn't fit all my stuff in it (I've had a few quotes.)
Does anyone know of any companies that would drive me with them as well as my belonging? (and of course my dog.) Just as a side not I don't have furniture, it's mainly suitcases, kitchen utensils, clothes etc.
I'm starting to worry as I have no idea how I'm going to make it over with all my belongings and pooch! Has anyone had a similar experience before? I have around 4-6 weeks to plan it so any ideas would be amazing!
Do a search (top right hand corner) for "confloozed". He is a forum member and is coming from Ireland to Switzerland in December with an empty van and offering to bring stuff over.
She has her pet passport, I got it today. She's had her rabies injection, she's microchipped and she's getting her annual vaccinations next week. So she's all ready to go!
She's a rescue dog who has been through a lot of trauma and I wouldn't want to put her through a plane journey. If we drive we'd stop every few hours and visit a few places along the way!
Good point re passport, etc (especially rabbies vaccine and 6 (? must check) wait)- but driving from the UK is no problem at all- especially using the Tunnel as your dog stays with you. If coming from up North- stop half way- most French Hôtels will take the dog - happy to give recommendations.
Good point re passport, etc (especially rabbies vaccine and 6 (? must check) wait)- but driving from the UK is no problem at all- especially using the Tunnel as your dog stays with you. If coming from up North- stop half way- most French Hôtels will take the dog - happy to give recommendations.
Posts crossed.
Hôtel de la Plage, Calais, take dogs, about 50 Euros per night for double, + 10 for dog. Or Hôtel Val Claret, just 1 mile from MWy, junction 22 South of Troyes (4 hrs from Calais).