Pet Transport

READERS will have probably have seen advertisements for pet transport. Sometimes these are placed by unlicensed people looking to earn extra money.

The advertisements sound so attractive but before entrusting your pet to someone you don’t know, check that they are licensed to carry out this activity.

I have heard that some officials at the borders are checking that the driver of the vehicle owns the pets and if not, the pet will be held in a quarantine area and a fine applied to the driver and to the owners before being released.

A number of animals have died from overheating when travelling in vehicles which are not designed for professional use.

All Defra (British Government) and licensed vehicles are obliged by law to have an air conditioning unit fitted separately in the rear of the vehicle. This has nothing to do with the fitted air-conditioning units fitted in the front of the vehicle to keep the driver and passengers cool.

You can easily tell if a vehicle complies with the law. Part of the unit (looks like a box with vent fan) is fitted into the rear roof.

Do not use cowboys who do not have licensed vehicles, check first. Do not listen to excuses that ‘We stop every 30/60 minutes’ only use professional carriers to ensure that your pet is transported in the best conditions and make sure they are safe wherever they are travelling. It will give you peace of mind and you won’t regret it.