There are a lot of reasons to love the Algarve; the beautiful beaches, the family friendly atmosphere and the delicious food. This is why a lot of people want the entire family to be included in such an enjoyable trip, including pets. A lot of people assume that holidaying with your pet means having to stay in the UK, but this is not always the case. As long as you abide by certain rules and regulations, and your pet is deemed safe to travel, taking your pet on holiday with you to the Algarve is an option.
Things to Think About Before Taking Your Pet on Holiday to the Algarve
There is no denying that taking your pet on holiday with you can seem like a great idea, and for many people it is a great idea. It is a way to make sure that they are not lonely left at home and that they have company. Plus, you don’t need to worry about finding someone to look after them when you are away, or paying for them to stay at a pet hotel for the duration of your trip. However, it is important to know the rules and regulations when it comes to this so that you avoid any problems. If you don’t pay attention to the rules and regulations relating to taking pets to Portugal, you could find yourself disappointed when your pet is denied entry.
- You will need to have a pet passport for your animal, one that is up to date and valid for travel to Portugal. They will also need to be microchipped, something that is important should they go missing whilst abroad.
- There are also a number of vaccinations that your pet must have. For example, a lot of places will require your pet to be vaccinated against rabies at least 21 days before travelling. If they are not, they will not be allowed into another country.
- A lot of places require you to show a vet certificate confirming that the animal has been treated against tapeworms close to the time of travel.
- A lot of animals find travelling stressful, so think about how they will cope with such a long journey. Though your pet might be fine in the car for short periods of time, how will they cope on a much longer journey.
It’s not simply a case of loading up the car and heading off towards your destination, in the same way that you would if you were holidaying in the UK, there are a lot of other factors to consider. This is why a lot of people choose to holiday abroad without pets, as the cost and time associated with doing so doesn’t seem worth it for the sake of a short break.
Top Tips for Taking Your Pet on Holiday With You to Portugal
If you are thinking about taking your pet on holiday with you to the Algarve, you should be prepared for a more stressful holiday planning experience. Though taking your pet might be straightforward in itself, more planning needs to go into the holiday. To help you out, we have listed some of our top tips. These can be applied to taking your pet anywhere with you, so you can use this list again if you go somewhere else in the future.
Taking your pets on holiday can be a difficult task but, with these tips, you can make the experience easier for both you and your pet.
- Before you go, contact the hotel or resort to find out if they allow pets. You don’t want to travel all the way to Portugal, only to find out that your pet is not welcome. If taking your pet with you is non negotiable, make sure to check if pets are allowed before making the booking. It’s much easier to book a pet friendly place to stay from the beginning, than to have to cancel a booking when you find out that animals aren’t allowed.
- If pets are allowed in your accommodation, find out if there is a pet fee and what services are included within that fee. Some accommodation providers charge extra for pets, as this covers them should there be any damage caused by the animal.
- Though your pet might be well behaved at home, there is no knowing what could happen if you venture elsewhere. This is why you should take a picture of your pet’s ID tags and of them with you, in case they get lost while you are away. Having a recent photograph and evidence of who they are can make it a lot easier to track them down, and it helps to prove they belong to you.
- Create a thorough packing list for your pet before you go, as you don’t want to be caught short when you are away. This means packing everything they use at home, and a couple of toys to keep them entertained. Though you won’t need to take food for the entire duration of your trip, do find out if you are staying close to someone that sells pet food. If you aren’t, you will need to plan where to source pet food from.
Is it a Good Idea to Take a Pet to the Algarve?
Though it’s lovely to include your four legged friend in your holiday plans, taking a pet to the Algarve can be a time consuming and stressful option. Instead of simply booking accommodation and jumping on a flight, you need to factor in finding somewhere pet friendly to stay and how you will get them there. For most people, it’s easier to leave their pets at home.