Third Agers often have a great affinity with their pets and are loathe to leave them behind when they go on holiday.

Quarantine guidelines have now been eased to a great extent and it is possible to travel with your pet in most European countries and some outside the EEC.

Under the PETS (Pet Travel Scheme) regulations it is possible to take your pet, usually a dog, with you on holiday, but do consider the stress which certain forms of travel can put them under.

The greatest problem for pets travelling abroad can be the travel and the climate of the country you are visiting. It is wrong to introduce an animal used to a warm fireside and two walks a day to a country where they may be trapped in hot sun and airless cars.

Consider the pros and cons carefully. A dog especially may be much happier in a reputable boarding kennel. It is usually the owner who frets the most during a work break or holiday. Check out the kennels with a small stay to test suitability first before you make your decision.

If you do take your pet then you must follow the guidelines of PETS or you could still find yourself facing six months of quarantine for it if all the rules are not strictly adhered to.

These rules apply to cats, dogs and ferrets, although quite how many Third Agers take their ferret to Cap Ferat I don’t know!

The animal must be fitted with a microchip before travelling. This is usually a painless process which involves the tiny chip being inserted by injection. The normal spot for it is between the shoulder blades and it enables fast tracing of the owner should the pet become lost. Unlike a collar tag it is relatively impossible to remove and has been useful in cases of loss or theft.

The animal must be vaccinated against rabies and a subsequent blood test taken to show sufficient level of immunity against the disease. An animal must also wait six months after the blood test before it can enter or re-enter the UK.

There must be 21 days elapse between the vaccination and a trip to any European country and the animal must not have been to any unapproved countries before it enters or re-enters the UK.

Your vet must also issue a pet passport and the animal must be treated for tapeworms and ticks within certain time-scales before entry or re-entry.

Ignore any of these stipulations and it’s quarantine for your pet and that can be very distressing and costly.

If your pet is not in a car you must make sure it has the very best container with water and bedding, preferably something familiar, for the journey. Feed the animal around two hours before the journey begins.

You will find that assistance dogs are sometimes allowed to travel in an aircraft cabin with their owners, but normally your pet will be confined to the hold of the aircraft.

If you, and your pet, can comply with all these conditions without any undue stress to the animal then you can pack an extra passport. Oh, and the biscuits!

Graham Smith for Third Age.