Taking the cat on the ferry to Spain (1 Viewer)

Slackhouse

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Hi - We are planning a trip to Spain and will be using the ferry to Santander.

What is the situation for the cat which has to stay in the van for the crossing - can you have access to the van to make sure all is OK and to feed the little traveller?

Or any other advice for the traveller cat - apart from don't forget the sun cream?

Thanks

Pete
 

funkyfunky

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Hi - We are planning a trip to Spain and will be using the ferry to Santander.

What is the situation for the cat which has to stay in the van for the crossing - can you have access to the van to make sure all is OK and to feed the little traveller?

Or any other advice for the traveller cat - apart from don't forget the sun cream?

Thanks

Pete
Your best bet is to contact the ferry people direct and get the correct info from them. Best wishes to you and a safe and enjoyable holiday. Funky
 

Eeyore

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Pete: the crossing is at least 24 hours and I would expect the noise, cold/ heat, motion etc to distress any animal left alone for that long. As far as I know, because of the risk of accident etc BF will not let anyone below decks during the crossing.

There are pet cabins- ie cabins with hard flooring etc and access to an exercise area and there are kennels where you can go and exercise and feed your pet. Both need to be booked quite promptly when booking open for the period you want.

See

http://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/information/PETS-travel-scheme

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Slackhouse

Slackhouse

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Thanks for the replies - I need to speak with Brittany Ferries as there is conflicting information on their web site regarding cats.

Pete
 

DBK

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I would have thought the only option is a pet friendly cabin but they are hard to get unless you book a long way ahead. There are kennels and an exercise area but I've only ever seen dogs there. Some dogs bark more or less continuously in the kennels and I doubt the average cat would be happy next to them.

I'm not suggesting you smuggle your cat on board in say a rucksack but I guess it could be done and then just confine it to the bathroom of your ordinary cabin, which could be washed down as you leave to remove hairs and any smell. :)
 

Wilderbeast

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We did this crossing two years ago and booked a pet friendly cabin all went well the moggy wasn't bothered at all.We use a collapsible dog carrier.Which worked well and seeing as the cat sleeps in it when we turn in at night when touring she's used to it.
Mind it is an old cat and not too bothered about many things anyway on the Newcastle/ Amsterdam crossing this year she stayed in the van and we visited evening and morning and again didn't seem put out at all.
For us no problem maybe speak to the ferry operator.
D

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Aug 21, 2008
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Yes you leave your cat in motorhome or caravan, our cat is now 20 and she has no problems staying in the van. Dogs have to have a kennel or a dog friendly cabin as cats have a higher tolerance to the heat of the car decks. You can visit your pet and are escorted down by a member of the crew and are then left and can stay with it as long as you wish and make your own way back to the passenger decks
 

Geejay

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The booking system says the following: "Cats will remain in vehicles on all ships with the exception of Cap Finistère, Etretat and Baie de Seine. On these ships cats must travel in a pet friendly cabin." So, if you can't get a pet friendly cabin the Pont Aven is your only choice.

Best bet, as said above, is to phone Reservations and see what they can offer. If you are booking well in advance you might get a pet friendly cabin, or they might notify you if they have a cancellation.
 

Hollyberry

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A lot depends on your cat's personality. A nervous cat might be better left in the van with familiar smells, somewhere to hide ( a collapsible fabric type crate is the best thing I bought) Easy to leave food, water and litter tray down.
If your cat is more laid back I'd try booking a cabin, take the cat in in a small travel basket and you can put a otter tray with paper based litter in the shower tray. Quick wipe round before you leave and no one will know a cat's been there. Whichever you choose just make sure he can't escape.
I took 3 cats into a motel room in France during the first nightmare drive from Charles de Gaulle to Toulouse. It was easier than I thought and no one would have known 3 cats and a dog had been in the room!

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Vlad The Impaler

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Hello all ,as an animal lover and someone who takes his dog everywhere but leaves his cats at home I'd like some info .
Do you keep your cats in the van full time and use a litter tray ,,or do they go out for their business ? If so how do you stop them running away

Vlad
 

treetops1

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We put a litter tray just under the van but keep the cat on a lead when you let it out ,Beware of marauding dogs,ours got used to going to the door when she wants out and tends to head straight for litter tray after a bit of training.Lead on every time though lol.

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Don Quixote

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Not long enough, but a little common sense helps..........
Hi - We are planning a trip to Spain and will be using the ferry to Santander.

What is the situation for the cat which has to stay in the van for the crossing - can you have access to the van to make sure all is OK and to feed the little traveller?

Or any other advice for the traveller cat - apart from don't forget the sun cream?

Thanks

Pete
Book ahead and get the pet cabin. We did it a few years back and the crossing became bad so stopped all visits the the car decks. Luckily we had the pet cabin and even the cat was sick so worth it just to look after our pet. It's your pride and joy why leave it all alone for 24 hours or in our case the crossing became 36 hours because of the weather, which they did not expect.........
 
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Slackhouse

Slackhouse

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Hello all ,as an animal lover and someone who takes his dog everywhere but leaves his cats at home I'd like some info .
Do you keep your cats in the van full time and use a litter tray ,,or do they go out for their business ? If so how do you stop them running away

Vlad
Hi our cat is a girl so she does not wander far. We open one of our low lockers for her which she uses as a hideaway. She goes out all night and when we go on a walk - never had any problems. When we first got her she used to hide in the engine compartment - which is a bit embarrassing when you have to reach her out in the morning. Boy cats may stray more so be careful.
 

Vlad The Impaler

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Our cats are girls too and have been neutered ,one an old lady at 14 and the other a kitten ,do you have an open door policy ie they can go out any time they want or do you do outdoor life under supervision ?
I've always worried they don't known their surroundings and would get lost and we'd loose them,am I worrying too much ? how would they find their way back to our van amongst others ?

Thanks in advance Vlad

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Slackhouse

Slackhouse

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Hi Vlad - we have only panicked once and that was on a big site where she was uncomfortable. The rattle of the treat box brought her back.
Leave the food bowl outside - so they know their home or some cushions with their scent on.
Don't try big busy sites first off just a small quiet CL with a bit of undergrowth for hunting.
Good luck
Pete
 
Aug 18, 2011
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Our cats are girls too and have been neutered ,one an old lady at 14 and the other a kitten ,do you have an open door policy ie they can go out any time they want or do you do outdoor life under supervision ?
I've always worried they don't known their surroundings and would get lost and we'd loose them,am I worrying too much ? how would they find their way back to our van amongst others ?

Thanks in advance Vlad
Cats are not daft,,,they can always find their way back to a good home,,,,BUSBY.
 

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