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News, Advice and Information on Living in Spain

Petīs Abroad

Relocating is not just about moving thehuman members of the family and manīs best friend certainly deserves as much consideration as the rest of us! So whether youīre looking for information on bringing your beloved pet to Spain, or thinking of adding a furry friend to your family now youīre living here, we can tell you everything you need to know...

 

Bringing Your Pet to Spain

Moving your pet to Spain can be lengthy and complicated process and you will need to start planning for your pet as early as possible before the move.
The rules and regulations for moving your pet to Spain changed recently and for up to date information we recommend you look at www.defra.gov.uk. This is the official site for the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. For dogs and cats you will need to follow the Pet Travel Scheme and obtain a pet passport for you pet.
If your pet is of the more exotic species or you are considering moving to another non EU county you will need to find out exactly what the requirements are. Itīs also worth remembering that once you?ve moved your pet to Spain, you will need to fulfill other requirements if you wish to take him back to the UK again? even for a holiday.

According to Defra, to enter other European Union (EU) countries from the UK you must ensure your pet is microchipped. This means implanting a small microchip in the neck giving details of your pet?s ownership. This is particularly relevant for Andalucia, where it is actually illegal to own a non microchipped pet. You must also ensure your pet is vaccinated against rabies, but please note, this vaccination can usually not be given until the pet is at last 3 months old. Having followed these procedures you should then be able to apply for a EU Pet Passport.

To re-enter the UK and for some EU countries your pet will also need a blood test. Your pet must be successfully Blood tested at a laboratory recognised by DEFRA. Pets may not re-enter the UK  until six months have passed from the date that a vet took the blood sample which then led to a successful test result.  A government authorised veterinarian will then need to issue the official PETS certificate to the owner / keeper to verify that these procedures have been carried out.

When it comes to traveling, it is worth doing some research and looking at the various companies who deal specifically with moving pets aboard. These companies will be able to advise you on safely and easily moving your pet and will also ensure you have all the relevant paperwork. This mean?s you can avoid turning up at the airport and being told your pet is not eligible to travel!

There are a few companies which specialize in bringing pets from the UK to Andalucia and vice versa and they will help you at the airport and can also update you on any changes in leglislation.
Overall, you must ensure that your pet is comfortable and safe in an airline approved travel carrier. Ensure that the carrier is large enough for your pet to move around. Again defra advises on how and where to obtain these.
For animals returning to the UK, you may find that between 48 and 24 hours before departure time, your pet must be issued with a veterinary Tick/Worm certificate. A copy of this must be sent by fax at least 24 hours before departure flight. Failure to do this will cause delay of the flight.

Looking after your pet in Spain

Once you reach Spain you must ensure your pet settles happily into his new home. Make your pet has plenty of extra water, especially in the summer and of course it is important to register with a vet. Most vets on the Costa del Sol will have at least one English speaking member of staff and they will advise you on helping your pet to acclimatise.

You need to be especially careful of alien insects here, as your pet may encounter different breeds in Spain and should have regular worming and insect treatments. Inland especially, you need to be wary of tics and small caterpillars, especially during the spring months. Vaccinations will also need to be updated yearly.
Most pets happily adapt to Spanish pet food, however there are now several pet companies which import British and organic pet foods.

Donīt forget to groom your pet regularly as this helps moisturise the coast and gets rid of any unwelcome visitors. It will also add to the overall health of your pet.

It is also a good idea to ask your vet or the local town hall for a list of dangerous dog breeds. The Dangerous Dog Act became a law here recently and states that any dog on the list must be kept in a properly fenced and secure area and the owners must have an appropriate licence and follow certain guidelines when walking their dogs. Anyone found with a dangerous dog and without a licence is liable for a fine of around 2, 000 euros, and in some areas the police are obtaining lists of dangerous dog owners from vets and visiting them at home to check they are following the new law.

Becoming a Pet Owner in Spain

Ask anyone who has moved to Spain without a pet, and most will say that since reaching Spain they have adopted an abandoned dog or cat. Sadly there are thousands of abandoned animals on the coast, many being cared for at one of the charity refuges which desperately rely on your donations and people who are able to offer a loving home to a new pet.

If you are considering a new pet in Spain it is certainly recommended that you visit a breeder or a refuge. The refuges are listed in the local papers and will be delighted to show you around. Most hold fund raising events and also have vacancies for volunteers so if you are an animal lover itīs very easy to become involved.

One of these charities is PAD, the Asociation de Proteccion de Animales Domesticos. Established in 1988 they have since found homes for over 1,000 abandoned animals. PAD encourage visitors and volunteers and hold events every month to raise money for their kennels, so that they may continue to house and care for as many dogs as possible. To find out more about PAD visit www.padcatsanddogs.org

Adopting an abandoned dog is certainly a very rewarding experience. We came across our dog Rex when he was just one and a half. We found him running around an urbanization complex and the porter told us he?d been there on his own for around 2 weeks. He was starving, very thin and his hair was very long. He was also quite scratched and bruised. We initially took him home for a few days planning to find a new home for him as we were worried that in a small flat it would not be very practical to keep him, however after a few days he had become one of the family and we knew we couldn?t let him go.

The vet checked him over and told us that despite the cuts he was in excellent health. For the first six months or so he was very clingy and very wary of loud noises or any quick movements. However as he became more used to us he settled down and became more relaxed.

It?s quite frustrating not knowing what happened to Rex in the past, whether he got himself lost ( quite possible as he does have a tendency to run off if he spies a female dog ) or was deliberately abandoned. Yet whatever his past he is the most good natured, affectionate and happy dog. He loves people and heīs really just one big baby.

Many people say that abandoned dogs make the best pets as they know in some way that they have been rescued and are grateful for the home they have found. Rex has enriched our lives in so many ways that for me it is the other way round, I am grateful he found us!

Training Your Dog

There are many English dog trainers on the Costa del Sol. Glynn Williams and Ken Dadds who trained Met Police dogs in the UK for over thirty years, have been running dog training classes here for all breeds of dog since 1996. According to Ken the earlier you start training your dog the better as the older the dog the more bad habits they pick up! However he also points out that it is as much about training the owner as the dog!

There is no time limit for training, you can start the classes at any time and to help new owners, Glyn and Ken are now working with all the main rescue centres on the coast, offering one free lesson to anyone who adopts a dog.

Glynn and Ken have devised a list of their top ten tips for looking after a new dog which PAD and the SOS now give out to new owners. The list includes tips such as never let your dog in the bedroom, never feed your dog until after you have eaten and take the food away if the dog doesnīt eat it. Donīt let your dog enter a room or go through a door in front of you and donīt give your dog a treat until he or she has done something for you first.

Their classes include lessons in obedience as well as a doggy assault course which is a lot of fun! They also give talks and have pamphlets on toilet training, grooming, day to day health and coping with puppies who enjoy chewing great big holes in your clothes, or through household furniture as indeed our dog did for a while! They also have a vet who comes to the classes to give advice and information to owners.

Glynn and Kenīs dog training classes are held at the Los Boliches Campsite. To find the class simply follow the signs to the īcaféī. The classes start at 10am every Sunday morning and everyone is welcome. To find out more simply call Glynn on 605 121 831 or Ken on 627 851 379.Glyn and Ken are also hoping to start a class soon in Benalmadena. Keep an eye on our events directory and weīll let you know when they have more details.