Taking Your Pet on Newhaven to Dieppe Ferry: Complete Guide

Bringing your dog or cat to France on the Newhaven to Dieppe ferry? This complete guide covers everything you need: UK pet passport requirements, microchipping, rabies vaccination, tapeworm treatment, booking procedures, onboard accommodation options (kennels, pet-friendly cabins, keeping pet in vehicle), French entry rules, costs, timeline, and expert tips for stress-free pet travel.

Dogs and cats are welcome on Newhaven to Dieppe ferries. Requirements: pet passport (or Animal Health Certificate), microchip implanted before rabies vaccination, rabies vaccination at least 21 days before travel, tapeworm treatment for dogs 1-5 days before departure. Book pet when booking ferry (£30 fee). Onboard options: free kennels, pet-friendly cabin (£40-60), or pet stays in vehicle. Start paperwork 8-12 weeks before travel.

Last updated: December 2025 | Complies with current UK/EU pet travel regulations

All pets travelling to France must meet specific health and identification requirements. Here’s exactly what you need.

⚠️ CRITICAL: The microchip MUST be implanted BEFORE the rabies vaccination. If microchip is done after rabies vaccination, the rabies vaccination is not valid and you’ll need a new one. This is the most common mistake pet owners make. Always: microchip first, then rabies vaccination.

Post-Brexit, the rules changed. Here’s what applies to your pet:

**WHICH DO YOU NEED?**

• **If your pet has UK passport issued before 2021:** Use it! Still valid, no need for AHC
• **If your pet has UK passport issued after 2021:** Cannot use it, need AHC for each trip
• **If your pet has no passport:** Need AHC (£100-150 per trip)

**COST IMPLICATION:**
If making multiple trips to France, the AHC costs add up quickly (£100-150 each way = £200-300 per round trip). If you travel frequently, consider getting an EU pet passport by having a vet in France or another EU country issue one on your first trip (costs ~€60 and valid for life).

Pet travel paperwork takes time. Here’s your complete timeline from first steps to ferry boarding.

💡 Pro Tip: The 21-day wait after rabies vaccination is the biggest time constraint. If booking travel, ensure your pet’s rabies vaccination is at least 21 days old on departure date. If not, you’ll need to delay your trip or make emergency vet appointments. Start planning early!

How to add your pet to your ferry booking and what options are available.

**OPTION 1: ONLINE BOOKING (when booking ferry)**
1. Book ferry crossing as normal (passengers + vehicle if applicable)
2. On passenger details page, select “Add pet” option
3. Enter pet details: type (dog/cat), breed, weight
4. Select onboard accommodation: kennels (free) or pet cabin (£40-60)
5. Pay £30 pet fee
6. Receive booking confirmation including pet

**OPTION 2: ADD PET TO EXISTING BOOKING**
• Call DFDS: +44 33 058 787 87
• Provide booking reference
• Add pet details over phone
• Pay £30 pet fee by card
• Receive updated booking confirmation

**OPTION 3: PHONE BOOKING (entire booking)**
• Call DFDS: +44 33 058 787 87
• Book ferry + pet in one call
• Discuss pet cabin availability
• Confirm all pet requirements

**PET FEE: £30 per pet**
This covers the pet’s transport regardless of accommodation choice (kennels/cabin/vehicle).

You have three options for where your pet stays during the 4-hour crossing:

**WHICH OPTION TO CHOOSE?**

Consider your pet’s temperament:
• **Calm, experienced traveler:** Free kennels or stay in vehicle
• **Anxious or first-time ferry pet:** Pet cabin (worth the £40-60)
• **Overnight ferry:** Definitely book pet cabin for your own comfort too
• **Puppy/kitten:** Pet cabin recommended
• **Large dog in small car:** Free kennels more comfortable than cramped vehicle

What to expect when checking in at Newhaven Ferry Port with your pet.

**ARRIVING AT PORT:**

1. **Arrive 90 minutes before departure** (not 60 mins – extra time for pet checks)
2. **Vehicle passengers:** Join vehicle check-in lanes as normal
3. **Foot passengers with pets:** Check in at vehicle lanes (NOT foot passenger desk)
4. Keep pet on lead at all times (or in carrier)

**AT CHECK-IN DESK:**

Staff will check:
✓ Booking confirmation (with pet declared)
✓ Pet passport or Animal Health Certificate
✓ Microchip scan (they scan to verify chip number matches passport)
✓ Rabies vaccination record (must be 21+ days old)
✓ Tapeworm treatment record (dogs only, 1-5 days old)

**TIME:** Pet check-in adds 5-10 minutes to standard check-in.

**IF DOCUMENTS INCORRECT:**
Your pet will be refused entry to France. This is strictly enforced. Common issues:
• Rabies vaccination less than 21 days old
• Tapeworm treatment outside 1-5 day window
• Microchip number doesn’t match passport
• AHC issued more than 10 days before travel

**IF REFUSED:** You must rebook for a later date or travel without pet (pet stays home).

**VEHICLE PASSENGERS:**
• Board in your vehicle as normal
• Pet on lead or in carrier
• Park vehicle where directed
• Staff will direct you to:
– Free kennels (vehicle deck)
– Pet cabin (follow signs to cabin deck)
– Or pet stays in your locked vehicle

**FOOT PASSENGERS WITH PET:**
• After check-in, directed to vehicle deck
• Drop pet at supervised kennels OR walk to pet cabin
• Then walk upstairs to passenger decks

**PET CABIN BOARDING:**
• Follow staff directions to cabin deck
• Let into your cabin
• Pet must be on lead inside cabin
• You can stay in cabin or use passenger facilities
• Pet must remain in cabin (cannot bring to restaurant/lounges)

What happens during the 4-hour crossing depending on your pet’s accommodation.

**IF PET IN FREE KENNELS:**
• Pet is in supervised kennel on vehicle deck
• Crew checks on pets regularly
• Water bowl kept topped up
• You CANNOT visit your pet (vehicle deck closed to passengers)
• Pet will be alone for ~4 hours

**IF PET IN CABIN:**
• You stay with pet in cabin
• Pet must remain on lead
• You can leave cabin to use restaurant/facilities but pet must stay in cabin
• Cannot bring pet to passenger areas
• You’re responsible for any mess (cleaning supplies available)
• Water bowl provided

**IF PET IN VEHICLE:**
• Pet remains in locked vehicle
• You CANNOT return to vehicle during crossing
• Pet alone for ~4 hours
• Must have left window slightly open for ventilation
• Water bowl should be available

💡 Calming Tip: Give your pet a good walk before boarding (toileting opportunity). Tired pets are calmer pets. Many owners find a 30-minute walk before boarding significantly reduces pet anxiety. Newhaven has green spaces near the port for pre-boarding walks.

What happens when you arrive in Dieppe with your pet.

**DISEMBARKATION:**

• Ferry docks at Dieppe around 15:00 (daytime crossing) or 04:00 (overnight)
• Vehicle passengers collect pet from kennels/cabin/vehicle
• Walk with pet off ferry
• French border control checks:
– Pet passport/AHC
– Microchip (may scan)
– Rabies vaccination record
• Usually 2-5 minutes per passenger
• If documents correct: cleared immediately

**IF DOCUMENTS INCORRECT:**
Pet may be refused entry to France and must return on next ferry back to UK (at your expense).

**TOILETING OPPORTUNITY:**
• Small grassed area near Dieppe port (5-min walk)
• Dogs need toilet break after 4-hour crossing
• Poo bags required (bring your own)
• Or walk to town (20 mins, more green spaces)

**FRENCH PET REGULATIONS:**
• Dogs must be on lead in public areas
• Poo bags mandatory (fine if caught without)
• Dogs allowed in most outdoor cafés/restaurants
• Some beaches allow dogs (check local rules)
• Taxis may refuse dogs (warn taxi driver when booking)

Bringing your pet BACK to the UK has DIFFERENT requirements.

**RE-ENTRY TO UK REQUIREMENTS:**

✓ **Same as outbound:** Pet passport/AHC, microchip, rabies vaccination
✓ **Tapeworm treatment:** Dogs need ANOTHER treatment 1-5 days before UK arrival
✓ **Find French vet** in Dieppe to administer and record tapeworm treatment (cost: €20-40)

**IMPORTANT:** If you’re on a short trip (e.g., day trip), you need TWO tapeworm treatments:
• One 1-5 days before leaving UK (for France entry)
• Another 1-5 days before returning to UK (for UK re-entry)

**ANIMAL HEALTH CERTIFICATE COMPLICATIONS:**
If using AHC (not pet passport):
• Your outbound AHC is valid for return journey (within 4 months)
• BUT if staying longer than 4 months, need NEW AHC issued by EU vet

**BOOKING RETURN FERRY:**
• Book return crossing same as outbound
• Add pet to booking (another £30 pet fee)
• Same accommodation options available

Pet travel costs add up. Here’s the complete picture:

**COST SCENARIOS:**

**First Trip with Pet Passport (dogs):**
Microchip (£20) + Rabies (£45) + Passport (£60) + Tapeworm outbound (£30) + Ferry outbound (£30) + Tapeworm return (£30) + Ferry return (£30) = **£245**

**First Trip with AHC (dogs):**
Microchip (£20) + Rabies (£45) + AHC (£125) + Tapeworm out (£30) + Ferry out (£30) + Tapeworm return (£30) + Ferry return (£30) = **£310**

**Subsequent Trips with Passport (dogs):**
Tapeworm out (£30) + Ferry out (£30) + Tapeworm return (£30) + Ferry return (£30) = **£120 per round trip**

**Subsequent Trips with AHC (dogs):**
AHC (£125) + Tapeworm out (£30) + Ferry out (£30) + Tapeworm return (£30) + Ferry return (£30) = **£245 per round trip**

💰 Money-Saving Tip: If travelling to France multiple times, get an EU pet passport from a French vet on your first trip (costs ~€60). This is valid for life and eliminates the need for £100-150 AHC on each subsequent trip. Saves hundreds of pounds if you travel regularly.