Irish Ferries’ Rosslare - Cherbourg - Rosslare route has been approved by the Irish Department  of Agriculture for participation in the Pet Passport System.  This only applies to accompanied pet dogs and cats travelling to Ireland from qualifying countries. (There is still free movement of dogs and cats between Ireland and Britain).

Before travelling to Ireland with your pet you must be in a position to answer ‘yes’ to all of the following questions:

1. Are you travelling directly from a qualifying country? A list of these countries is available from the Irish Department   of Agriculture.
2. Has your pet been micro-chipped? Where the microchip does not comply with ISO standard 11784 or Annex A to ISO standard 11785 the owner/escort must provide a suitable reader.
3. Has your pet been vaccinated against rabies following micro chipping or on the same day?
4. Has your pet been successfully blood tested? Blood testing must be carried out in an approved laboratory. A list of approved laboratories is available from the Irish Department of Agriculture. Your vet will advise you in this matter.
5. Has at least six months expired since a successful blood test?
6. Has your pet’s EU passport been fully completed, signed and stamped by a registered veterinarian?
7. Has your pet been only in a qualifying country during the last six months?
8. Has your pet been treated for tick and tapeworm between 24 and 48 hours prior to check-in?

If you are not able to answer ‘yes’ to all of these questions, your pet  may not enter Ireland without an import licence and undergoing quarantine.

If you need further information please contact the Irish Department of Agriculture at +353 1 607 2827 or www.agriculture.gov.ie/pets or consult your vet.

What are the conditions?

The following conditions will apply to all pets’ travel:

• Irish Ferries carry out the checks at Rosslare and Cherbourg on behalf of the Irish Government and will not be held  responsible if the animal is refused entry/travel due to owner’s/escort’s failure to comply with conditions of the Pet Passport System. The onus is on the owner of the pet to ensure that all the Pet Passport conditions are met. A declaration form accepting the regulations must be signed at the port of departure.
• Animals will only be allowed to travel in one of the custom-built kennels supplied on board. You should make the animal as comfortable as possible, using absorbent bedding, equipment and toys that the animal is familiar with.
•  The animal's owner/escort will be solely responsible for the behaviour and welfare of the pet(s), including feeding and watering both at the port and on board, and for compliance with the Pet Passport System’s provisions. The pet’s owner/escort has the primary responsibility of ensuring that the animal is sufficiently fit and healthy for travel. Please check with your vet about any health or travel concerns. At all times it is the owner’s/escort’s responsibility  to comply with the Irish Department of Agriculture regulations governing pets’ travel.
• For reasons of hygiene and the comfort of other passengers, animals must remain in the kennels throughout  the journey. Animals will not be permitted in the passenger areas of the ship.
• Owners/escorts may visit their animal at pre-arranged times during the voyage, at the discretion of the crew and conditions permitting. For details please check at the information desk at the beginning of the voyage.
• Pet-carrying vehicles will be issued with a distinctive sticker on arrival at Cherbourg. It is an offence to remove this sticker before leaving Rosslare. Failure to comply with this regulation could result in the animal being placed in quarantine at the owner’s expense.

IMPORTANT: Only passengers travelling in a private motorised vehicle may bring their pets. The number of pets permitted per one booking is limited to TWO pets.

Irish Ferries will transport pets from Rosslare to both Cherbourg and Roscoff. However, please note that pets can only travel to Ireland via Cherbourg.

Irish Ferries charge an administrative fee of €35 per animal per journey for travel in 2007. This fee includes the use of a kennel on board. Pre-booking is essential. Please note that we are unable to accept bookings on the day of departure or for unaccompanied animals.

For full Terms & Conditions see Pet Passport