Many yachtsmen are not ready to part with their pets when traveling on a yacht - after all, a cat or dog often becomes real family members with whom you want to share all the joys of life. For those in doubt, we will inform you right away that going on a boat trip with pets is not easy. Difficulties will arise already at the stage of registration of documents for exit-entry, not to mention the organization of a toilet on board.
When planning a trip to chartered yacht with pets, you will have to take care of paperwork, vaccinations, and also take into account the quarantine laws of the country of travel and other points. The owner's desire to share joyful moments on the water with the pet will require a lot of patience and effort from him.
First of all, you need to take care of the registration of an international veterinary passport. You can make a veterinary passport both in one of the state institutions and in a private veterinary clinic. The passport must contain a mark about the 15-digit number that identifies the pet - it is contained in the microchip. Chipping is similar to subcutaneous injection and does not involve causing pain to the animal. If the animal has been identified by a special tattoo and made before 2011, the identification can be considered to be in accordance with EU regulations.
It will also be necessary to obtain a rabies antibody test certificate (no later than 3 months before entry), a veterinary certificate and a Declaration of the Responsible Person. The consequences of incorrectly executed documents can be both indirect troubles in the form of, for example, the need to lay new routes, and direct costs of paying fines for violating the rules for importing animals into the country of travel.
Before the trip, you will need to familiarize yourself with the requirements of the legislation of the country where the animal will be imported - different countries have different requirements. 2yachts specialists can help you with this.
The animal will take some time. To get used to the ship, to the water, so it is better to first make several test trips on a yacht for several hours, and only then go on a long voyage. Do not forget about a special life jacket for the pet, and you should hang a net on the handrail - it will save the animal from unexpected dumping overboard. There are a lot of potential risks, and it is necessary to be aware of the ways to prevent them.
You also need to take care of the steps - they must match your dog, the easiest solution in this case would be to lay them on the steps of a regular board.
You should not change the diet of your four-legged friend on the ship - he should eat the same as at home, on the shore. Thanks to proper and habitual nutrition, the animal will have to adapt less to new conditions, which in a sense will serve as protection against motion sickness and reduce the negative consequences from it. A happy dog will contribute to the formation of a positive mood in you, and this has already been proven by modern research. Dogs only add positive to travel, they are more comfortable and cozy, and simple walks on the shore turn into an extraordinary event. Any little thing on the boat is more appreciated when you share it with your pet.
Cats and dogs are known to suffer from motion sickness just like humans. To combat motion sickness, the pet should be given special medications, which should be prescribed by a veterinarian (you should not give your pet medications without consulting a specialist).
Another important point is the arrangement of the toilet. It is easier for cats in this respect - they will go to the tray out of habit, but the dog will still have to be taught this. You can use artificial grass to decorate a container with soil - it will remind your pet of the lawn on which the dog is used to walking and will help her to clean more easily.
When planning to take a pet on board, expect to spend at least 1.5 months of preparation time - this is how much you will spend on all registrations and procedures. If you are renting a yacht, be sure to check the attitude towards transporting animals with the company where you are going to rent the boat.
Keep in mind that the animal will need to arrange a place to rest in the shade, as well as a lot of water - consider this when planning the water supply on board.
Whenever possible, you should moor and let the animal walk (especially for dogs) so that it has the opportunity to walk on earth. And in case it gets lost, you need to attach an identification tag with your contacts to the collar.
Traveling with pets on board a yacht will require preparation, patience, and significant financial and time expenditures from the owner. In doing so, you need to make sure that you have done everything to make the animal feel comfortable and safe on the water.