Pets

How your pet can be a blood donor in France

Veterinary hospitals say it is crucial to treat sick cats and dogs and it is easy to sign up your pet

Reader experiences: Travelling to France with dogs

Four dog owners tell The Connexion about their struggles since Brexit

Guide dog associations angry over post-Brexit fees to visit France

Owners face increased costs and bureaucracy to travel across the Channel

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Owner finds his two missing dogs in France 300km apart, 10 years on

He now believes that the golden Labradors were stolen in 2014

Dogs banned from French city water spaces after pet dies

The municipality of Lille issued the order after a dog was found to have died from blue-green algae poisoning

'Get your cat treated for fleas before it goes wandering in France'

Columnist Samantha David explains how her pet was picked up by an association only to return riddled with the pests

Pet care to be part of France’s school curriculum from September 2024

The new programme will aim to teach respect and compassion for pets, in a bid to fight animal mistreatment

Fake rescue workers snatch dogs on walks in southern France

The pets are being forcibly stolen as owners walk them, by people in a van pretending to be from an animal welfare association

Dog owners in France launch petition over ban on dogs not on leads

‘It is urgent and vital that our dogs can get back a bit of freedom,’ they say, after town brings in a fine of up to €450 for non-compliance

Can I take my dog on a cross-channel UK-France ferry?

There are different regulations for taking animals on a ferry based on whether you are going from France to the UK or the UK to France

Be aware of caterpillars when walking your dog in France

Certain caterpillars can cause necrosis of the tongue in dogs and are appearing earlier each year

Dogs die of rare disease in south-west France: vaccination advised

Some animal shelters have been forced to close temporarily. Health authorities say they are not unduly concerned

Processionary caterpillars in French forest blamed for sick dogs

A woman who walked her pets in a tree-covered area had to rush them to the vet

Can I bring prescription pet food into France?

There are border restrictions however France offers a range of dietary foods for pets

How your cat or dog can also be a blood donor in France

Blood donations by pets are vital to help treat sick or injured animals. We explain how to sign up your pet

How do you organise a pet cremation in France and what are the costs?

Cremating a pet is a common choice, but there are other options

It was not all bad: 5 positive French stories to end week on a high

From swallows in sitting rooms to alpaca animal therapy, here are some of the best good news stories from France this week

Inflation blamed as number of pets being abandoned in France rises

Squeezed household budgets and the rising cost of owning pets have reportedly worsened desertions this year

How do I change my pet’s details on French I-CAD database?

It is possible to amend some details on the French I-CAD database

What is I-CAD? France’s pet database explained

It is necessary to register your dog, cat or ferret with the service before getting an EU pet passport in France

Progress on French DIY tortoise house is slow and steady...

Nick Inman charts the ups and downs of renovating an old French farmhouse

Five things you may not know... about pets in France

We take a sideways look at French attitudes to cats, dogs and other furry bébés

Scammers use cute kitten pictures to con animal lovers in France

Do not be enticed by cute photos without thorough research, a consumer watchdog has warned

How to raise alarm if you see a pet in distress on your French travels

The advice is part of a government guide aimed at protecting animals from the worst of the summer heat

Pet travel: Can I take my dog or cat with me on a train in France?

There are set rules for pet travel, including paying extra for your tickets

Noisy neighbours in France: How can I stop a dog barking incessantly?

We look at the law around noise complaints and tell you who to contact to take further action

France travel round-up: Pet price hike, flights ban, Eurostar drama

Plus Paris-Australia direct flight push, new ferry on Cherbourg route and is Saint Etienne airport set for a comeback?

France travel wrap: Ferry delays plan, tourist scams, private jet tax

Plus: Cocaine-laced ‘lost property’ kills French railway worker, Easter traffic warnings and why we might soon see the end of turnstiles on Paris’ metro

France travel wrap: Ferries cancelled and new Paris-NYC flights

Plus: Paralympian battles EasyJet over guide dog ban and Ryanair boss renews French strike attack

Don’t give human drugs to pets’ alerts French health safety agency

Paracetamol, aspirin, ibuprofen, and antidepressants can all be fatal to pets, said the Anses health authority

Pet thefts on rise in France: what to do if it happens to your animal

There are 22 million pets in France and they are increasingly being targeted – often to order – by thieves

‘Bring your dog to work’ could lure people back to French offices

Studies show pets in the office can lower stress, improve communication and reduce absenteeism

Is it legal to bury a pet in your garden in France?

We look at the French legislation regarding how you should dispose of a deceased pet

Do France’s new pet owner ‘contracts’ have any actual weight?

We look at what this contract involves and what happens if it is incomplete, left unsigned or not respected

'Travelling with my cats taught me so much': France according to cats

American cat lover Teresa Kaufman enjoys countryside walks and has spent 18 years travelling the country with her two cats

Vet shortage in France as young graduates quit for work-life balance

High suicide rates, overwork and veterinary ‘deserts’ are a concern - recent government action is welcomed but too late says the profession

Queen's influence has led to rise in corgis in France say breeders

The recent death of Queen Elizabeth II has contributed further to the small dogs’ popularity, which has been growing since her 2012 Jubilee

What can I do about neighbour’s cat leaving mess in our French garden?

We look at the possible courses of action, from natural deterrents to legal procedures

Cost of living: French animal shelters full as pet abandonments rise

Dog abandonment is up 6% this year so far, and adoption levels are low because people cannot afford to take on expenses such as vet bills, shelters are warning

Recap French news: animal train tickets, insect-based pet food

Five changes that could affect your day-to-day life in France

Train ticket boost, airline strikes: nine France travel updates

EasyJet says staff shortage partly down to Brexit, SNCF makes pet travel train cheaper, rail strike disrupts services and more

France travel: what are the rules for flying with a pet?

Some airlines allow pets in the hold and cabin, some only in the hold and others not at all

How to get a French EU pet passport as a British second-home owner

Pet passports issued in France are considerably cheaper than the UK's £100 one-trip pet travel certificates. We asked vets in France if British second-home owners could get an EU passport for their pets while in France

Rising inflation blamed for increase in pet abandonment in France

Rescue rates of animals in shelters dropped by 4% this year compared to last, with owners appearing to give up their animals due to rising costs

Pet passports: Second-home owners in France left ‘upset’ by stalemate

They say the UK government is not doing enough to push the EU to recognise a British pet passport which would be easier and cheaper for pet owners

Second-home owners in France to register travelling pets with I-CAD

A French rule could affect documentation needed to take pets in and out of France

SNCF staff chaperone abandoned pets to their new homes across France

These ‘Angels of the Railway’ use their free train journey allocation and days off to take adopted animals to their new families

Guide to adopting a cat or dog in France, how to get pet advice

300,000 pets are abandoned in France annually but stricter rules on pet ownership may help animals find forever homes

Adventure film-maker takes adopted dog paragliding in French Alps

Shams adopted Ouka a Samoyed after being returned to the breeder twice as too energetic. ‘He was born to fly!’

Covid-19 France: crossing borders to take dog to vet

Can I cross France-Germany border to take dog to vet?

I am retired but can I do work as a pet-sitter in France?

Working as a pet-sitting is certainly a possibility if you like animals, however, to do it properly according to the rules involves a certain amount of dedication – and paperwork

Oh la vache ! 17 French animal expressions to try

In celebration of World Animal Day (October 4), a global movement to improve animal welfare standards, here are some of our favourite French idioms featuring animals

Campaigner calls for more legal protection for police dogs in France

Mistreatment against dogs working in the line of fire should be recognised more in law, an association has said, as they are ‘soldiers’, just like people

What are the rules for buying a pet in France?

We take a look at the rules for buying a pet in France

Rural France: Success for mobile vans offering crucial services

Fleets of mobile fruit and veg sellers, dog groomers and doctors are becoming increasingly common in France, as entrepreneurs flock to remote and rural areas

Confusion over EU pet passport rules costs British dog owner £500

The dog owner who lives in France fell foul of a mix up in rules around EU pet passports and rabies injections on a recent visit to the UK

Celebrities in France call for end to online ad and shop sales of pets

The open letter published on the PETA website calls for the government to do more to reduce pet abandonment at the source

France launches €20m action plan against animal abandonment

Shelters at full capacity as people dump dogs, cats, rodents and other animals post-lockdown

Role reversal as Saint-Bernard dog needs rescue after fall in Pyrénées

The 75kg dog, whose breed is well known for its mountain rescue skills, needed evacuating on a stretcher after it fell 10m from a steep path

Dog thefts more brazen in France as prices rise for rare breeds

Police say that stealing animals is not new but that thefts are becoming more aggressive. It comes as some rare breeds are now listed for €10,000-€15,000 per dog

Pets, masks, food: Comfort tips as temperatures soar in France

Choose light-coloured clothing including face masks and do not expect a sorbet to cool you down for long

Could French pet passports save fees for regular travel with pets?

Connexion has looked into whether a pet passport is a more affordable alternative to the new UK 'animal health certificates' (AHCs)

Pets ‘can catch Covid’ but owners in France told not to panic

'No cat or dog has given the virus to a human, or to another cat or dog' says Paris vet Dr Marie-Odile Sutter

Vaccinate your cat, say vets, as typhus spreads in France

Cases of cat typhus, a highly contagious and dangerous feline form of the virus, have been discovered among stray cats in the French Alps. Vets have advised that all pet cats in the area should be vaccinated

France plans ‘dog bite register’ to identify dangerous dogs

The register will evaluate the danger of dogs on a ‘case-by-case basis’ as breed alone is ‘not enough to judge the risk’

Animal welfare: Pet buyers in France will need certificate

The animal mistreatment bill was voted through in parliament, although campaigners have called for more and criticised gaps in the proposals

Dogs in France also feel effects of Covid restrictions

Lockdowns and curfews mean less exercise and less socialising for pets – both of which can cause serious problems

France to fight pet abandonment with new adoption rules

The government has proposed new rules on pet adoption and purchasing as more than 100,000 animals are abandoned in France each year

Brexit: Rules clarified for visiting France from UK with pet

The EU has taken decisions on how Britons travelling with pets will be treated from January 1 - avoiding the most cumbersome and time-consuming procedures

Brexit: Will pet need rabies antibody test to go to UK?

Rules on pet travel between the UK and EU will change from January 1, 2021

Can I give my pet Covid? France mink cull raises questions

A French vet has warned people recently about getting too close to their animals. We explain how the virus can affect them

France: Pet owners warned about lost pet scam

Gendarmerie in the Var have warned of scammers targeting the owners of lost pets on website Pet Alert, and demanding payment for the animal’s ‘safe return’

France lockdown: Are vets and animal refuges still open?

Our cat is due a non urgent vaccination - will vets be open and able to do this - and are animal refuges open?

France: Cats avoid being categorised environmentally harmful

The Assemblée Nationale has thrown out an amendment that would have considered cats to be dangerous predators and ‘a threat to biodiversity’

French union demands aid for pet care businesses

One kennel and cattery owner in France tells how she is having to rely on a loan as her turnover plummets and tourism support is not available