Cat travelling in camper - requirements

rhs
rhs Forum Participant Posts: 2
edited September 2018 in Your Pets #1

We're Dutch CMC members planning a vacation in the UK, in our Romahome with our cat Frits. Frits has been chipped, jabbed and has a valid passport (so do we - passports at least, not the chip). Whilst travelling on UK roads in our tiny camper, are there any requirements on how to keep Frits secured? We have him in a harness and we do have a lead, but he also sometimes roams freely in what little space the Romahome allows. Of course we will always keep him a safe distance from the driver. We do not have space for a bench and we do not want to keep poor Frits in his pet rucksack whilst we are travelling. So what do we need to do if we do not want to risk any trouble with The Law? How much freedom can we allow Frits?

Comments

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,134 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2018 #2

    Hi, rhs.

    This screenshot is from our Highway Code. This section is not law but a recommendation. However, in the event of poor Frits being the cause of an accident due to being unrestrained, such as getting under the pedals, not following the Code could be used as evidence against you.

    https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/rules-about-animals-47-to-58

    Enjoy your holiday here.

     

  • rhs
    rhs Forum Participant Posts: 2
    edited September 2018 #3

    Thanks Tinwheeler - that is suitably vague to allow our current set-up ;-)

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,134 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2018 #4

    That’s what I thought. 

    Another concern for me, would be to ensure an animal couldn’t escape in the event of a door bursting open.

  • peegeenine
    peegeenine Forum Participant Posts: 548
    edited September 2018 #5

    Our cat travels on a cushion on the wifes lap. He wears a harness and is attached to the seat belt so he can't escape and is secure.

  • TJThomas
    TJThomas Forum Participant Posts: 14
    edited January 2019 #6

    We take our feral tabby- Binnie with us everywhere in the UK.  She always travels in her carry box, which she likes to sleep in both at home and when away in the van.  She sees this as a place of safety.  In deed at motorway services when she likes to get out for a comfort stop and snack, if she sees too many large juggernauts she indicates it is time to go by going back into her carry case.

     

  • ABM
    ABM Forum Participant Posts: 14,578
    1000 Comments
    edited January 2019 #7

     The  idea  of  a  harness  attached  to  the  seat-belt  is  one  that  some  dog  owners  use  and  both  dogs  &  owners  seem  to  be  happy  with  that  system.  However  I  realise  that  cats  have  a  mind  of  their  own  smile  and  just  might  reject  the  idea  if  they  see  dogs  restrained  in  that  manner,  just  to  show  their  independence.

    No  idea  is  purr-fect  though  wink  but  I  hope  you  all  enjoy  this  lovely  island  !!

    P.S. / Edit

      I  like  the  choice  of  van,  had  a  970c.c.  Suzuki based  'coach-built'  Bambi  for  7  years -  keep  thinking  of  going  back  to  that  size  againundecidedwink

  • ValDa
    ValDa Forum Participant Posts: 3,004
    1000 Comments
    edited January 2019 #8

    We take our cat down to our house in France, and in our caravan.  Whilst in the car she always wears a harness, and sits on the passenger's knee, harness attached to their seat belt.  Sometimes she want to go on the rear seat and her harness is then attached to a rear seat belt, and sometimes she wants to be in her pet carry box where she sleeps with the door open and her harness is attached to the box..

    Have a lovely holiday in the UK with your cat!

     

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