Beaches that allow dogs in Spain

SPAIN It seems that although there are strict rules about not allowing dogs on beaches throughout the country, an increasing number of councils are making room for pets - usually a small beach or the part of a beach. A very informative website, Red Canina, gives a breakdown of the very few of them for 2013 (see map). As you will see, there is only one such beach in Andalucía, near Casares, described as 'a small beach full of pebbles'. Red Canina also gives information on what hotels allow dogs, some for free, others not.>>>

EU to simplify pet travel regulations among member states

EUROPE New legislation on the "non-commercial transport" of pets, already informally agreed with EU ministers, was approved by Parliament last month and press-released last week. Taking pets abroad will be easier, but pet health requirements will be stricter. Online information for pet owners will also be made clearer, though we have been unable to find exactly where as yet. Before taking their pets across borders, owners should check that their anti-rabies vaccinations are still valid. Young animals between 12 and 16 weeks that have been vaccinated against rabies - but have yet to achieve immunity - should still be allowed to travel. "There are 64 million cats and 66 million dogs in the EU. One household in four has a pet. In future, travelling across borders with pets will involve far less administrative hassle. We have eased the rules, and this should have a direct impact on citizens" said rapporteur Horst Schnellhardt (EPP, DE) after his resolution was adopted by 592 votes to 7 with 4 abstentions. The legislation will be applicable 18 months after it is published in the EU Official Journal.>>>

How best to transport a pet

SPAIN 70% of pet owners in Spain do not know the regulations about animal restraints in vehicles  ... amongst other reasons, because they are not clear. Here is some advice from Santilla Formación: Small animals are best transported in boxes or cages placed on the floor behind the front seats; Larger pets are best transported in the back of the vehicle (of the station wagon variety, large or small - not IN the boot, exactly) separated from the rest of the cabin by a net or a grille - or with a double-anchored harness as short as possible, enough to prevent much movement. The harnesses that click into the seat belt anchorage are not advisable because they o not prevent sideways movement. (As seen on J.A.W.S. Facebook page.)

New regulations make it easier to take pets to UK, starting on January 1, 2012

UK Britain's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) announced recently that the rules for taking cats, dogs or ferrets into the UK change as from January 1 next year. You can see the new rules by clicking on the image, and get the whole picture at the appropriate DEFRA page. One of the first rules is to get your pet microchipped, which is obligatory (and much too expensive) in Spain for all three species. But the main change is the time the animal can travel after it has had its rabies vaccination - from six months at present, to 21 days on January 1st. (IF YOU FIND THIS ARTICLE INTERESTING, USEFUL OR ENTERTAINING, PLEASE CONSIDER THE WORK, EFFORT AND COST IT TAKES TO BRING IT TO YOU. WE WOULD APPRECIATE A DONATION TO CONTINUE A FREE SERVICE.)