Spanish Moves - move to Spain with no pain!

1. Our Service

Our company specialises in moving pets to and from England, Scotland and Wales to France and Spain by road and ferry. We do everything necessary to take good care of your beloved pets as we know how important they are to their owners. They are just like one of the family so we treat them with exceptional care, just as you would yourself.

Booking animals onto flights to get to their destination may be quicker but it is more expensive and a lot more stressful for the animal compared to using our luxury road service.

Firstly if you decide to use air travel for your pet you will have to get your pet to the airport and pick it up at the other end. This could be expensive if it does not coincide with your flight. Flight travel boxes have to be organised at your expense.

This is all extra expense compared to our service because we operate a door to door service supplying everything required making it much cheaper and simpler for you to arrange.

We have very large safe pet enclosures in the specially adapted vehicle providing comfortable travelling accommodation for your pet and leaving plenty of room for them to stretch their legs.

We can fit their favourite bed or basket, food and water and some favourite toys in with them making the pet feel relaxed and as comfortable as possible during the journey. Whilst on the ferry the dogs are removed from the vehicle and taken to the special kennel area on the ferry.

They are again given their own kennel to rest in during the journey. During the sea journey we are able to visit the dogs at any time to feed and water them and even take them for a walk around the deck

During road travel we stop at 2 hour intervals to check on, walk and feed the pets.

2. Travelling with your pet

Should you wish, you may travel with your pet on their journey saving the air fare home and making it even more viable to use our service.

If you decide to travel with us you will have to ride in the front of the van as a passenger. It is not luxury but it is quite a comfortable ride and we will be making regular stops to see to the pets so giving you time for a coffee or a meal and a walk around etc. A cabin of your own will be booked on the ferry for the overnight journey.

We can arrange overnight accommodation in hotels which allow pets in the rooms with their owners if an overnight stop is required. (Dependent on journey destination and ferry times). We have had lots of pet owners travel with their pets and they all would be happy to do the journey again if needed.

For more information and costs for travelling with your pet please contact us.

3. Pet passport and vaccinations

As you probably know there are rules and regulations which need to be strictly adhered to when taking pets to and from Great Britain. Please carefully read the notes below supplied by Brittany Ferries on the subject.

Remember if these regulations are not adhered to exactly your pet will not be allowed on the ferry causing us major problems and a lot of extra expense for you. Spanish Moves Ltd will not be held responsible for any mistakes on the paperwork.

It is the customer’s responsibility to make sure it is all correct.

If you have any questions please ring us on 0044 1209 843971 or DEFRA on the numbers below.

On the Plymouth to Santander route, kennels are provided throughout the journey, dogs must occupy the kennel provided. Access to the kennel area will be provided for owners/escorts during the voyage

All our Brittany Ferries routes are approved by DEFRA for participation in the PETS scheme. This applies only to cats and dogs returning from qualifying countries into the UK.

Before commencing travel it is the owner’s responsibility to supply the following:

A valid DEFRA approved pet passport or veterinary certificate showing that their pet has been micro-chipped, vaccinated and blood tested for antibodies to rabies. N.B. Allow least 7 months for vaccinations before travel.

A valid DEFRA approved pet passport or veterinary certificate showing that the animal has been treated against ticks and fox tapeworm not less than 24 hours, and not more than 48 hours, prior to returning to the UK. The owner should ensure that their chosen vet stocks the correct certificates.

Tick and tapeworm treatment must be administered by a vet between 24 and 48 hours before embarking from a foreign port. An official certificate is required from the country in which treatment is carried out. This must be signed, dated and include date and time of treatment.

If the certificate does not comply with this, we regret that we will not be able to carry the animal under the Pet Travel Scheme. When planning your return journey on any of our routes, please give careful consideration to the timing of the tick and tapeworm treatment.

Distressing difficulties can arise if things go wrong and return travel is jeopardized

For further information:

Call DEFRA Helpline on 0870 241 1710 or consult your vet.

4. Travelling itinerary and journey times.

Your pet’s journey starts when we collect it from your home. We will put it in one of our large pet carriers so giving it plenty of room to exercise its legs and keep safe. You will also be able to fit a favourite bed, litter tray or toy in with it to keep it company during the journey.

Dog walk From there we will go to the Plymouth ferry port to board the ship to Spain. Whilst waiting to board the ferry we have an hour to kill so we walk the pets again. After we have boarded the Plymouth to Santander ferry the pet (dogs only) will be taken to the kennel area on the ship.

If the Plymouth to Roscoff ferry is used the pets will have to stay in the vehicle. Whichever ferry is used the pets will be fed, watered and walked during the journey.

We always use the Plymouth to Santander ferry whilst it is running which is usually March to December.

Dog wash The ferry journey to Spain takes about 18 hours. When we land in Santander the last stage of the journey to the Costa Blanca begins. This usually takes about 10 hours or so. During this time we will stop regularly to walk and check on the pets. We will then deliver them directly to your door all safe and sound.

If the pet is coming from Spain to England the reverse is carried out.

5. Our costs

Costs vary depending on the time of year, the type and size of pet and the distance of road travel required. Prices start from about £400 for an average pet and an average journey distance. Please complete the enquiry form below to get an exact cost.

6. Enquiry form

Please complete the ENQUIRY FORM for further details and a cost.

European Pet Transportation