Adopting a pet in France

Brexit MAY make it harder to travel between France and England with our pets.  We shall know in a few months.  I have had dogs all the time I have lived in France - now nearly twenty years now - and have travelled between the two countries in car and ferry or tunnel with no difficulty - although it is of course much more expensive than flying.  A pet passport guarantees that your pet is not carrying rabies or worms and is essential.

In all, I have adopted 6 dogs.  Since I am quite old now I tend to take on older dogs that no one else is likely to want.  This means vet bills do tend to be rather expensive - but the delight of seeing a sad or timid dog turn into a calm and happy, well-fed companion far outweighs the cost for me. 

Of course, one also has to say goodbye when they are too ill or old to recover quality of life.  I have lost three in the past eighteen months - and that is a consideration. Taking on a dog brings sorrow as well as happiness. Training a dog to be safe and obedient  is also something that needs to be done.  That takes time and effort but is worth every moment!

Most refuges do charge quite a hefty fee - especially for younger fit dogs. It can be as much as 250 euros.  It's a pity, I think, because it means that a poorer person who would love to rescue a dog is unlikely to be able to pay - but the SPA is so desperately in need of funds these days that it is understandable, and it also weeds out the unscrupulous or those who would take a dog on a whim without really taking proper responsibility for it.

There are many, many cats and dogs in need of loving homes.  I do hope people will consider carefully if they could help make an animal's sad life much happier! Doing so brings a great deal of joy to the human too.