We are going to live in France and have 2 dogs. We have been told that as we will not be bringing them back into England that we do not need a pet passport. Does anyone know if this is right?

Official requirements, according to the French embassy. It seems you have been misinformed - a valid EU Pet Passport is required for entry.

The difference will be that you don't need to wait the 7 months required for a dog that is going to re-enter the UK, so a much quicker process.

M.

Thank you, this has put my mind at rest. We have found a house we like and will be ours in 3 months.We were worried that the dogs would have to wait 7 months before they would be able to go.

I think you need to have Rabies vaccination for dogs over 3 months of age and then you have to wait a month before travelling.

My friend who breeds Beardies & doesn't vaccinate at all sent a puppy to France(the owners came to collect)All the puppy had was a Pet Passport with it's details on it & all the vaccination parts left blank. However this was before 2004 These are the current rules

I have done the same and it is fine if Pup is under 3 months old, but in countries that required Rabies vaccination pups over 3 months have to be vaccinated. 

I thought France were one of the sticklers? and this part refers:  "2. Valid vaccination against rabies (first vaccinations and boosters" as they don't allow unvaccinated pups under 3 months like other EU countries  "Since 28 May 2004, pets who are under three months old and not vaccinated against rabies are not allowed to enter into France" 

I wonder how the Dutch people who took their pup in Sept 2005 managed as they went by Eurotunnnel.  Maybe transit arrangements are different as she had her Pet Passport but not her Rabies shots being only 8 1/2 weeks old.

Hello

I moved to France just over 4 years ago with my then 3 dogs and 1 cat, it was before the pet passport was required for all EU countries.  They had full export certificates and all vaccinations including rabies, we travelled by Eurotunnel and although I waved my papers frantically at anyone in a uniform no one was interested and we travelled into France without anyone taking any notice of our papers or the animials!  In some departments in France it will be necessary to have the rabies jab, in others it will be recommended but not a necessity!  Best to have it done just in case you meet a stickler for the rules at the border!  What department are you moving to?  Depending on where you are moving to you may need Scalibor collars!.

Best wishes

Jan