Taking your Dogs abroad: What you need to know

Taking your Dogs abroad: What you need to know

This blog post introduces you to a video that I shot specifically for our place in Tuscany, to answer the common question of “Taking your Dogs abroad: What you need to know”. It’s also part of our You Ask, We Answer series, where we answer tonnes of FAQs and give you lots of information to help you get the most out of your Tuscan stay with us.

At Woodfarm Barns & Barges, we understand that planning the perfect getaway involves many questions and uncertainties. To help you navigate through these and to ensure you have the best experience possible, we’ve launched our ‘You Ask, We Answer’ initiative. This approach isn’t just about promoting our Barns, Cottages and Barges; it’s about providing valuable information, solutions, and peace of mind to our prospective guests.

Anyway, this is the video, and the transcript is below it if you wish to go back over anything.

This is what I said…

Taking Your Dogs Abroad to Casa Trebbio

Hello, it’s Carl, and this video is all about giving you advice for taking your dogs abroad. Casa Trebbio, our cosy little bolt hole in Tuscany, is dog-friendly, welcoming up to three dogs. Here’s what you need to know if you’re planning to visit Casa Trebbio with your furry friends.

Travel by Road, Not by Plane

Firstly, I recommend avoiding plane travel with your dogs as it can be tricky. Instead, consider making your trip to Casa Trebbio a road trip. You could book a midweek, weekend, or full week stay with us, but make the journey part of your holiday. I’ve done the drive myself, and my suggestion is to break up the trip with overnight stops.

Ideal Road Trip Route

You could stay in France or Northern Germany on your way to Italy. Another option is to visit the Italian lakes, with Lake Como being just 3 hours from Casa Trebbio. Spending a couple of days there would be great for your dogs, helping to break up the journey before continuing to Tuscany. On your way back, you can repeat this, stopping at scenic spots in France, Germany, Switzerland, or Northern Italy.

Government Regulations for Taking Dogs Abroad

Now, let’s talk about the necessary government regulations for travelling with your pets. To get the correct documentation for taking your dogs abroad, visit the Taking Your Pet Abroad page on the gov.uk website. Here’s a summary of what you need:

  1. Microchip your pet – Ensure your dog is microchipped.
  2. Vaccinate against rabies – Your pet must be vaccinated for rabies.
  3. Pet Travel Document – Obtain an official pet travel document (not to be confused with Woodfarm’s Pooch Passports, which are not recognised by the government).
  4. Tapeworm treatment – Ensure your dog receives the necessary tapeworm treatment.
  5. Travel guidelines – There are rules for both entering and returning to the UK with your pet.

Unfortunately, Woodfarm doesn’t handle these documents for you, but hopefully, this information will guide you in preparing for your trip.

Stay Updated

I hope you found this advice helpful, and I look forward to seeing you and your dogs at Casa Trebbio soon. Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube Channel and sign up for our newsletters by scrolling to the bottom of our website homepage. This way, you’ll be notified of any last-minute availability, cancellations, and competitions.

See you in the next video!

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