If you are planning a trip to Scotland and would like to take your pet with you, there are a few requirements you will need to meet. This article lists the most important ones, but should not be considered all-inclusive.
You should get complete information on the requirements for taking your pet to Scotland and start fulfilling them as soon as possible. It can take as long as six months, and sometimes longer, to obtain and receive all necessary certificates and paperwork required.
One of the first things you need to do during the six-month time period (or sooner, if you can) is have your pet microchipped with a chip that is considered ISO (International Standards Organization) compliant. This microchip is different than the ones that are normally used in the United States and Canada. It contains a 15-digit number, which has not been encrypted.
The reason the microchip must be ISO compliant is because foreign scanners will not read the others. If you cannot have your pet microchipped with an ISO compliant chip, you will have to supply your own scanner. However, if there is any trouble with reading the microchip, your pet will be denied entrance into Scotland. For this reason, you may want to have the microchip tested often before you leave.
Once your vet has implanted a microchip, your pet must receive another rabies shot at that time, even if it had been previously inoculated. The rabies vaccine used must come from inactivated rabies virus, and your pet must be at least three months old.
Since you are going to be spending quite a bit of time at the vet’s office, you will have plenty of opportunity to ask about pet insurance. This can be a particularly good investment, as it is still possible your pet may become sick or injured while on vacation.
Many people have dogs, and they don’t all have someone to care for their four-legged friend while they go on vacation. Others simply don’t want to leave their furry companion behind. If you’re one of the people who has a dog and wants to take him on vacation with you, there are plenty of ways you can do that. A little bit of advance planning is necessary, though, because not every place will be as welcoming of your dog as you are. Not all hotels and motels are pet friendly, so you’ll want to call ahead or check online to make sure that your dog will be accepted where you plan to stay. Also, be sure that you ask about the cost. There are some places that charge high rates to have a pet in your room, and others where the cost is very minimal. Since money is a concern for most people, it’s important that you take care of yours and spend it wisely.
Also, keep in mind that you’ll need to eat at restaurants and you’ll want to see the sights wherever you travel. Where you leave your dog and for how long can affect your travel plans, too. You can’t leave your pet in a hot car while you shop, but he would be safe in an air conditioned motel room – as long as you’re not gone too long and he has an accident. If you go to a place that’s dog friendly overall, you’ll have a much more enjoyable vacation. There are a lot of places where your dog is welcome on the sidewalks, at the beach, and in other places. Long walks and beautiful natural scenery can be a very enjoyable thing on vacation, both for you and your dog.
Make sure you also plan how you’re going to get there. Driving is often easier, as long as you take frequent breaks. Flying can be much faster, but your dog might have to go in the cargo hold and that could be very traumatic for him, which is something to try to avoid.
