Travelling with animals
Whether you are taking your dog to France, or another animal friend, enjoy stress free travel with these simple steps.
Bringing your pet on LeShuttle
See your pet's journey
Animal travel checklist
Before you set off, make sure you’ve checked the latest requirements for your destination. These can vary depending on where you’re travelling, and it’s important to have everything in place before you arrive at our terminal. You’re responsible for ensuring your pet meets all the travel requirements. Without the correct documents or proof of compliance, you may not be able to travel.
Dogs
To travel with LeShuttle, your dog must have:
- A microchip
- An Animal Health Certificate or EU Pet Passport
- A rabies vaccination
For journeys from Calais to Folkestone, your dog will also need a tapeworm treatment administered 1-5 days before travel.
For more details see our pet travel requirements.
Cats & Ferrets
To travel with LeShuttle, your cat or ferret must have:
- A microchip
- An Animal Health Certificate or EU Pet Passport
- A rabies vaccination
For more details see our pet travel requirements.
Rabbits, Rodents, Reptiles & birds
To travel with LeShuttle, your rabbit, rodent, reptile or bird must have:
- A veterinary certificate for domestic pets (other than dogs, cats, ferrets). It will be inspected by border control agents, so there is no need to visit our Pet Reception, or declare these animals on your booking.
For more details see our pet travel requirements.
Horses
LeShuttle can transport horses, donkeys and zebras on its single deck passenger shuttles in an appropriate transporter.
Travel must be booked in advance with one of the following companies:
Peden Bloodstock
Tel: 00 44 1252 844042
Email: shipping@peden.co.uk
Shelley Ashman International
Tel: 00 44 1884 849008
Email: sheila@shelleyashmanshipping.co.uk
Harbour Shipping
Tel: 00 44 1304 200908
Email: mford@harbourshipping.co.uk
MOTIS
Tel: 00 44 2830 252500
Email: booking@motis.com
John Parker International Ltd
Tel: 00 44 1303 266621
Email: info@johnparkerinternational.com
Horse Shuttle
Tel: 00 44 77 2040 4646
Email: horseshuttleuk@hotmail.com
Learn about our domestic Equidae transportation requirements here.
Commercial pet transporters
If you're planning to travel from Calais to Folkestone with up to 20 animals maximum, you must have a LeShuttle pet transporter account. You'll need to include a copy of your Type 2 licence with your application, which may take up to 14 days to become active. In order to complete the required pre-checks, please send all documentation together with a LeShuttle disclaimer via our contact us page.
You will also need:
- A copy of an approved Type 2 licence. Your LeShuttle pet transporter account should be in the name of the Company registered on the Type 2 licence.
- A copy of a Vehicle Approval Certificate, issued by the relevant delegated bodies in Great Britain or Northern Ireland.
- Proof of your registration with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) FOR IPAFFS in Great Britain to enable notification to the UK authorities of all movement of live animals.
- A copy of your Goods Movement document, confirming your 12 digit Goods Movement Reference (GMR), required by HMRC when travelling Calais to Folkestone.
Please note:
- We are not able to accept requests for commercial transportation of animals with less than 2 working days’ notice before your travel date.
- Our office is open Monday-Friday 9.00-17.30 (exc Bank Holidays)
- Commercial animal transpiration is only allowed between 08:00 and 20:00, therefore reserve your travel as soon as possible with the Customer Support team.
- No commercial movement of animals is allowed from Folkestone to Calais, due to an agreement with the French Authorities. The limit is 5 pets per vehicle, travelling with their owners.
Travelling for a competition or event
You can use LeShuttle to travel with a pet for a competition, exhibition, sporting event or training under the pet passport travel scheme.
You'll need to make sure:
- The pet(s) must be aged over 6 months
- You have written evidence of attendance / registration of the sporting event, competition, training or dog show from the pet's owner.
- You have a declaration of the event participation. Find more information on the DEFRA website.
If you want to travel with more than 5 pets for this kind of event, you'll need to get permission at least 2 working days before you travel. Get authorised by completing our contact us form and supplying the information listed above, along with the booking reference number you will be using for travel.
If you're travelling with more than 5 pets, they must all be travelling for the event. You cannot bring additional pets who will not be taking part.
Bookings cannot be made through a pet transporter, as this will be classed as commercial pet transport.
Stay up to date
For the most up-to-date information on travelling with your pet, visit the DEFRA website.
FAQs
We have a range of FAQs about travelling with your pet. Please visit our dedicated page for more information.
Top tips for taking your dog to France
If you’ve never travelled to France with your four-legged friend before, you might not know where to start when planning your trip! Here are some top tips to help your trip go smoothly once you leave our Calais terminal.
Dog-friendly accommodation and things to do
When it comes to where to stay, France offers a variety of options, including self-catering villas, campsites and holiday parks to explore. There are also a range of hotels in France that take dogs. Whether you are staying in Northern France, the Côte d'Azur or the Loire Valley, your best friend will be welcomed with open paws.
Taking your dog to France doesn’t mean you’ll miss out on everything France has to offer. You and your furry friend can explore countless beautiful beaches, refreshing walks, memorable road trips and fun attractions. You and your pooch can even enjoy some French cuisine at one of the many dog-friendly restaurants.
Pet etiquette & rules in France & beyond
Local vets and pet insurance
It might also be worth reviewing your pet insurance in preparation for your trip. Remember to bring a copy of your policy and any emergency contact numbers you might need.