Of course! Don’t leave your four-legged friend behind, they’re part of the family! Bring them along so that they can share the adventures and enjoy the fun. On Stena Line, pets are welcome and you can book your companion into a kennel (we advise that you pre-book to secure a kennel), take them on onboard (there are some rules around this) or keep them inside the car (this is not available on selected routes, please check the details for your specific route). Some of our ferries have pet friendly cabins that can be pre-booked too.
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What if I’m travelling with a guide, hearing or autism assistance dog?
Guide, hearing and autism assistance dogs are welcome in all areas of our ports and ships and are entitled to free travel. They have full access to the passenger decks on all Stena Line routes and vessels. All guide, hearing or autism assistance dogs must have the necessary paperwork when checking in at the port and must wear the correct harnesses and jackets at all times while travelling. Please refer the specific rules pertaining to Assistance dogs on Irish Sea routes below. Where other passengers have a severe allergy to dogs, we will alert the assistance dog owner and the passenger with the allergy. We may ask each party to avoid specific areas at specific times to reduce the possibility of an allergy attack e.g. when one party is eating in the restaurant, as we may not be able to provide the necessary medical attention in all cases.
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What vaccinations does my pet need?
If you’re travelling to Britain and Europe, pets need to have documentation showing that the essential vaccinations have been carried out. Please note that it is your responsibility to provide all necessary documents and to make all arrangements, including, where necessary, quarantine, to satisfy all legal requirements.
Dogs must undergo a tapeworm treatment not less than 24 - 120 hours prior to check-in for travel to the UK from Continental Europe. The EU pet passport must be giving the time and date of treatment. For residents of Northern Ireland please visit https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/travelling-pets for information although there will be no requirement for a pet passport or routine checks .for non-commercial movement of pets between Northern Ireland and Great Britain until further notice.
Pets must be vaccinated against rabies. Firstly ensure your pet is microchipped or the vaccination will not count. The dog must be at least 12 weeks old before vaccination and the vaccination must be in date at the time of travel. You must wait 21 days from the date of the rabies vaccination before travelling.
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Does my pet need a pet passport?
Pet travel with dogs, cats and ferrets is bound by the conditions of the EU pet passport. The EU pet passport or an animal health certificate replaces all passports or other documents previously used for pet travel in Europe including the PETS document. The EU pet passport can be acquired at any authorized veterinarian after a microchip has been fitted and a successful blood test has been given.
From 1 January 2021, UK style EU Pet Passports issued in GB or NI up to 31 December 2020 are no longer valid. As an interim measure, NI pet owners can contact their private vet, who will update their pet passport appropriately to allow travel. A new style UK (NI) branded EU Pet Passport will be distributed to veterinary practices in due course.
Brexit Advice: As of the 1 January 2021, the rules for travelling with your dog, cat or ferret from Britain to the EU have changed. More details are available at GOV.UK.
Please note that it is your responsibility to provide all necessary documents and to make all arrangements, including, where necessary, quarantine, to satisfy all legal requirements.
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What papers will my pet need?
Under the EU pet movement system, all pet dogs, cats and ferrets moving between EU Member States must meet the same animal health rules. All pets travelling between the Republic of Ireland and the UK, the UK and Continental Europe and across Europe must be micro chipped and accompanied by a pet passport. You can find more information about the changes made to pet travel implemented on 29th December 2014 by clicking the following link - EU Pet Travel Scheme.
Please note that it is your responsibility to provide all necessary documents and to make all arrangements, including, where necessary, quarantine, to satisfy all legal requirements.
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Does my pet need to be micro-chipped?
All pets travelling between the Republic of Ireland and the UK or Continental Europe and between the UK and Continental Europe must be micro chipped and accompanied by a pet passport. Your pet must be fitted with an approved electronic transponder (microchip) for identification by an authorised veterinarian. Several organisations handle the registration of electronic pet identification numbers. This registration may also be useful when retrieving a runaway pet.
Please note that it is your responsibility to provide all necessary documents and to make all arrangements, including, where necessary, quarantine, to satisfy all legal requirements.
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What are the rules for travelling with pets after Brexit?
From 1 January 2021, the rules for travelling with your dog, cat or ferret from Britain to the EU (including pets returning to the Republic of Ireland from Britain) have changed. For more details please visit the links below.
Travelling with Pets from Britain to the EU >>
Travelling with Pets between Britain and Northern Ireland >>
Travelling with Pets from Republic of Ireland to Britain >>
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If my pet remains in my vehicle can I check on it during the crossing?
This may be permitted but will vary by vessel and cannot be guaranteed. Speak to our team at time of booking for further information.
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What if I am travelling with more than 5 pets?
From 29th December 2014 changes to the EU pet travel scheme require additional rules for vehicles carrying more than five pets. For more information please click on the following link, EU Pet Travel Scheme.
If you are travelling with 6 or more pets with the intention of attending a competition or show, you must complete an exemption from commercial movement declaration form. You should book via our Contact Centre with evidence of the competition or show then provide the exemption declaration on check-in.
If you are travelling with 6 or more pets and are not travelling for a competition or show, you must book via our Freight department and provide all necessary paperwork for the commercial movement of animals.
Useful links (UK)
Travelling with pets from Northern Ireland
Commercial movement of pets from Northern Ireland
UK Government advice on exporting live animals
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I am travelling with horses, can I book online?
Horseboxes up to 12m in length can be booked online on our Belfast - Cairnryan and Belfast - Liverpool routes, on routes between Sweden and Denmark and on routes between Sweden and Germany. On these routes, vehicles over 12m in length must be booked via our freight department. Horseboxes under 14m in length can be booked for travel between Sweden and Poland. For all other routes please book via Stena Line Freight.
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Travelling with your pet on Cairnryan - Belfast
Pets travel for free in vehicles, in our kennels and in secure pet carrier cases (max. size: 80cm x 52cm x 52cm) but must be pre-booked (with the exception of assistance animals). This can be done on the "Stena Plus & Onboard Extras" step of the booking process.
Our onboard kennels are suitable for domestic pets such as cats and dogs. If you are carrying livestock, exotic, dangerous or larger animals you must contact Customer Services in advance of booking to determine the suitability of the facilities onboard for the safe carriage of the animal/pet.
By car
Kennels can be pre-booked at no extra charge or if you prefer, your pet can remain in the vehicle or in a secure pet carrier case (maximum size of 80cm x 52cm x 52cm) for the duration of the crossing.
The Stena Superfast VII and Stena Superfast VIII have a dedicated pet area where small cats and dogs are permitted to travel when accompanied by their owners if they are secured in a small carrier case (maximum size of 80cm x 52cm x 52cm) for the duration of the crossing. Pets must remain in their carriers for the duration of the crossing and are not be permitted in other passenger areas. Pets must be pre-booked into the dedicated pet area. Any cat or dog that has not been pre-booked in or does not fit within the designated small carrier case will not be allowed in the dedicated pet area onboard. When another ship is operating the route no pets will be allowed in the passenger areas.
Foot passengers not utilising the dedicated pet area can book a kennel for their pet.
Please note: Bags are not permitted as carrier cases and you will be unable to bring your pet onboard if you don't have an appropriate pet carrier case with you where access to the case is via a secure door/zip/lock mechanism and your pet is totally enclosed. All pets must be pre-booked as a limited number of carrier cases are allowed onboard each sailing.
Assistance dogs are welcome in all public areas of our ports and ships and will also be entitled to free travel as long as they are kept on a harness/lead and meet the following criteria:
If your dog does not meet the above criteria, or is an emotional support dog that is not recognised as an assistance dog by ADI or IGDF, then your dog will not be allowed to travel in the public areas. In these cases , please book your dog to travel as a pet under our usual rules.
Your dog must wear an identifiable harness, bandana, lead slip or dog jacket so your dog can be instantly recognisable by the ship’s crew and other passengers.
We follow the Equalities and Human Rights Commission guidance which you can access here (https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/sites/default/files/assistance-dogs-a-guide-for-all-businesses.pdf)
This policy only applies to assistance dogs; any other assistance animals must travel as a pet under our usual rules.
Emotional Support Dogs are permitted to travel in pet carrier cases (max. size: 80cm x 52cm x 52cm) onboard Stena Superfast VII and Superfast VII on our Cairnryan-Belfast route. Emotional Support Dogs must be confirmed as such in writing by a mental health professional or GP. Emotional support dogs must be booked by contacting out Contact Centre.
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Travelling with your pet on Liverpool - Belfast
By car or by foot
We recommend that you pre-book a dog lodge or pet-friendly cabin when travelling on our Liverpool-Belfast route. There is an additional fee per dog lodge, per sailing and they can be booked at the "Stena Plus & Onboard Extras" step of the booking process. Booking a dog lodge will allow you access to your pet throughout the crossing. Not only can you visit your dog but you can also exercise them under controlled conditions. Pet-friendly cabins are also available where you can bring up to 2 pets into your cabin. These pet-friendly cabins can be pre-booked on the “Cabins” step of the booking process or via our Contact Centre.
Whether you are traveling by car or by foot, all pets must be pre-booked in advance of travel whether they are remaining in your vehicle, going into a kennel or staying with you in a pet-friendly cabin.
For customers travelling with large dogs, please note the dog lodge sizes for this route: Depth: 100cm Height: 82.5cm Width: 75cm.
Please note: Whilst pets can remain in vehicles on our Liverpool-Belfast route, certain breeds of dogs are more sensitive to heat/poor air circulation in vehicles. We would advise owners to take extra precautions and use the dog lodge facilities or pet cabins where available.
Pets are not permitted in the public areas of our ships however assistance dogs are welcome in all public areas of our ports and ships and will also be entitled to free travel as long as they are kept on a harness/lead and meet the following criteria:
If your dog does not meet the above criteria, or is an emotional support dog that is not recognised as an assistance dog by ADI or IGDF, then your dog will not be allowed to travel in the public areas. In these cases , please book your dog to travel as a pet under our usual rules.
Your dog must wear an identifiable harness, bandana, lead slip or dog jacket so your dog can be instantly recognisable by the ship’s crew and other passengers.
We follow the Equalities and Human Rights Commission guidance which you can access here (https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/sites/default/files/assistance-dogs-a-guide-for-all-businesses.pdf)
This policy only applies to assistance dogs; any other assistance animals must travel as a pet under our usual rules.
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Travelling with your pet on Holyhead – Dublin
By car or by foot
Kennels can be pre-booked at no extra charge on the "Stena Plus & Onboard Extras" step of the booking process or via our Contact Centre. We also have a number of pre-bookable pet-friendly cabins available, where you can bring up to 2 pets into your cabin. These pet-friendly cabins can be pre-booked on the “Cabins” step of the booking process or via our Contact Centre. Alternatively, on our Holyhead - Dublin route your pet can remain in your vehicle for the duration of the crossing.
Whether you are traveling by car or by foot, all pets must be pre-booked in advance of travel whether they are remaining in your vehicle, going into a kennel or staying with you in a pet-friendly cabin.
Stena Estrid kennel dimensions:
Width: 110cm Height: 80cm Depth: 90cm
Width: 100cm Height: 80cm Depth: 100cm
Width: 210cm Height: 80cm Depth: 100cm
Stena Adventurer kennel dimensions:
Width: 65cm Height 72cm Depth 100cm
Pets are not permitted in the public areas of our ships however assistance dogs are welcome in all public areas of our ports and ships and will also be entitled to free travel as long as they are kept on a harness/lead and meet the following criteria:
If your dog does not meet the above criteria, or is an emotional support dog that is not recognised as an assistance dog by ADI or IGDF, then your dog will not be allowed to travel in the public areas. In these cases , please book your dog to travel as a pet under our usual rules.
Your dog must wear an identifiable harness, bandana, lead slip or dog jacket so your dog can be instantly recognisable by the ship’s crew and other passengers.
We follow the Equalities and Human Rights Commission guidance which you can access here (https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/sites/default/files/assistance-dogs-a-guide-for-all-businesses.pdf)
This policy only applies to assistance dogs; any other assistance animals must travel as a pet under our usual rules.
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Travelling with your pet on Fishguard – Rosslare
By car or by foot
Kennels can be pre-booked at no extra charge on the "Stena Plus & Onboard Extras" step of the booking process or via our Contact Centre. We also have a number of pre-bookable pet-friendly cabins available, where you can bring up to 2 pets into your cabin. These pet-friendly cabins can be pre-booked on the “Cabins” step of the booking process or via our Contact Centre. Alternatively, on our Fishguard - Rosslare route your pet can remain in your vehicle for the duration of the crossing.
Whether you are traveling by car or by foot, all pets must be pre-booked in advance of travel whether they are remaining in your vehicle, going into a kennel or staying with you in a pet-friendly cabin.
Pets are not permitted in the public areas of our ships however assistance dogs are welcome in all public areas of our ports and ships and will also be entitled to free travel as long as they are kept on a harness/lead and meet the following criteria:
If your dog does not meet the above criteria, or is an emotional support dog that is not recognised as an assistance dog by ADI or IGDF, then your dog will not be allowed to travel in the public areas. In these cases , please book your dog to travel as a pet under our usual rules.
Your dog must wear an identifiable harness, bandana, lead slip or dog jacket so your dog can be instantly recognisable by the ship’s crew and other passengers.
We follow the Equalities and Human Rights Commission guidance which you can access here (https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/sites/default/files/assistance-dogs-a-guide-for-all-businesses.pdf)
This policy only applies to assistance dogs; any other assistance animals must travel as a pet under our usual rules.
Please note that pets cannot be taken onboard in a pet carrier on this route.
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Travelling with your pet on Cherbourg – Rosslare by car or by foot
It is important to ensure that you are familiar with the EU and PETS rules before travelling. Guide, hearing and autism assistance dogs are welcome in all areas of the port and onboard our vessels. Please visit our Guest Services desk when you board in order to show the relevant documentation for your dog to allow access to all areas onboard.
Whether you are traveling by car or by foot, all pets must be pre-booked in advance of travel whether they are remaining in your vehicle, going into a kennel or staying with you in a pet-friendly cabin.
Stena Horizon: Pets remaining in vehicles, in dog lodges or pet-friendly cabins
We recommend that you pre-book a dog lodge or a pet-friendly cabin when travelling on Stena Horizon on our Rosslare – Cherbourg route. There is an additional fee per dog lodge, per sailing and they can be booked at the "Stena Plus & Onboard Extras" step of the booking process. Booking a dog lodge will allow you to have supervised access to your pet at certain times on the crossing. Our pet-friendly cabins on Stena Horizon allow you to bring up to 2 pets into your cabin and these can be pre-booked on the "Cabins" step of the booking process or via our Contact Centre.
Cats and dogs travel free of charge when remaining in your vehicle on Stena Horizon. Dog lodges are subject to availability and must be pre-booked. There is a maximum of 5 pets per booking.
Please note: Certain breeds of dogs are more sensitive to heat/poor air circulation in vehicles. Due to the length of this crossing on Stena Horizon, we would advise owners to take extra precautions and use the dog lodge facilities or pet-friendly cabins onboard Stena Horizon where available.
Stena Horizon dog lodge dimensions:
Width: 73cm Height: 80cm Depth: 95cm
Visiting times for pets in vehicles on Stena Horizon: You can visit your pet at 10.00 and 22.00 during Tuesday-Friday crossings, 10.00 and 19.00 during Saturday crossings and 07.00 and 19.00 during Sunday and Monday crossings. Visits to the car deck are for a maximum of 10 minutes and are weather permitting.
Stena Vision: Pet-friendly cabins only. Pets are not permitted to remain in vehicles
Due to the configuration of the vessel and the availability of pet cabins, pets are not permitted to remain in vehicles during the crossing on Stena Vision. All pets must be pre-booked into a pet-friendly cabin onboard. There are no dog lodges/kennel facilities onboard Stena Vision.
Our pet-friendly cabins on Stena Vision allow you to bring up to 2 pets into your cabin and these can be pre-booked on the “Cabins” step of the booking process or via our Contact Centre. On Stena Vision only 2 pets per booking are permitted as pets cannot remain in vehicles.
Assistance dogs are welcome in all public areas of our ports and ships and will also be entitled to free travel as long as they are kept on a harness/lead and meet the following criteria:
If your dog does not meet the above criteria, or is an emotional support dog that is not recognised as an assistance dog by ADI or IGDF, then your dog will not be allowed to travel in the public areas. In these cases , please book your dog to travel as a pet under our usual rules.
Your dog must wear an identifiable harness, bandana, lead slip or dog jacket so your dog can be instantly recognisable by the ship’s crew and other passengers.
We follow the Equalities and Human Rights Commission guidance which you can access here (https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/sites/default/files/assistance-dogs-a-guide-for-all-businesses.pdf)
This policy only applies to assistance dogs; any other assistance animals must travel as a pet under our usual rules.
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Travelling with your pet on Harwich to Hook of Holland
Travelling by Car (max 5 pets)
At check-in you will receive a colored tag to indicate that you are carrying a pet. It should be placed on the rear-view mirror of your windscreen and should remain there until you clear customs at the port of arrival.
Travelling by foot (max 3 pets)
If you are traveling as a foot passenger, you must book an onboard kennel for your pet or a pet-friendly cabin; otherwise your pet may not be allowed to travel.
When you board the ship, we ask you to carefully follow the instructions of our staff. After boarding, report to the Guest Service desk on deck 9, where you will receive more information about taking your pet on board.
Kennels and pet-friendly cabins on board
There are a limited number of places available in our heated kennels. You book this in advance at the step "Stena Plus & Extras on Board" of the booking process. We also have a number of pet-friendly cabins available so that your pet can travel with you. Pets are not allowed in the restaurants, bars and shops. There is also a small run-out area for your pet.
Our onboards kennels are available in three sizes:
Please note: Large pets must climb stairs, go over a high door stop and may be lifted into small and medium kennels that are not at floor level.
Only the following pets are allowed: dog, cat, rabbit, guinea pig, hamster, ferret, mouse, chinchilla & gerbil (the maximum numbers also apply to small rodents).
Travel documents
There are a number of requirements that the travel documents for your pet must meet:
After the crossing
When you disembark at Harwich International Port, your pet may be subject to a DEFRA (Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs) inspection. We recommend that you keep all relevant paperwork related to your pet at hand. This is standard procedure on arrival in UK ports.
For more information on the rules for traveling with a pet from the EU to the UK and vice versa, please visit the DEFRA website or the UK government website GOV.UK.
If you have any questions, feel free to call a member of our Customer Service for more information.
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Travelling with your pet on Gothenburg – Frederikshavn
We have a limited number of pet places available and all pets must be pre-booked prior to travel. At the port you must advise our check-in team that you are travelling with a pet. Cats must travel in a cage/carrier case.
On all vessels the car deck is closed for the duration of the crossing and access to passengers is not permitted.
Stena Jutlandica
Pets are allowed to stay on the open car deck in the car or in the dog friendly lounge.
Stena Danica
Pets are allowed to stay in your vehicle (except in the months of May, June, July and August) or in the dog friendly lounge.
Stena Vinga
Pets are allowed to stay in your vehicle (except in the months of May, June, July and August) or in the dog friendly lounge. There is also a small run-out area for your pet.
Please note: In Denmark it is mandatory that you take out liability insurance for your dog. Liability insurance does not cover the costs of a veterinarian. Check if the insurance also apply in the country you are going to - and how long they apply for. Please ask your insurer how best to insure your animal when travelling.
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Travelling with your pet on Grenaa – Halmstad
Your pet can remain in your vehicle on the car deck (all year round) or it can stay with you on Deck 7 in a separate area. The car deck is closed during the crossing and passengers access is not permitted.
Please note: In Denmark it is mandatory that you take out liability insurance for your dog. Liability insurance does not cover the costs of a veterinarian. Check if the insurances also apply in the country you are going to - and how long they apply for. Please ask your insurer how best to insure your animal when travelling.
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Travelling with your pet on Rostock – Trelleborg
You must pre-book your pet and also advise our check-in team when you arrive at the port.
A limited number of pre-bookable pet cabins are available on board the Mecklenburg-Verpommen and Skåne. If you are booking without a pet cabin, you must book your pet when completing your booking under the heading “Extras”. If there are no pet places presented under “Extras”, it will not be possible to take your pet with you on the departure you had selected. If this occurs, please choose an alternative departure. Pets are not allowed in the restaurants, bars and shops. It is possible to stay on deck in the designated areas.
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Travelling with your pet on Kiel - Gothenburg
You can travel with your pet on Kiel - Gothenburg however you must pre-book a pet cabin in order to do so. A limited number of pet cabins are available on each sailing. No more than two pets are allowed per cabin. Please note you cannot travel with your pet if there are no pet cabins available. Your pet is not allowed to stay in your vehicle during the crossing. Your pet must be registered at check-in and you will then be taken to the special pet cabin by the shortest route. Apart from the cabin and the exercise area, your pet is not allowed access to the general passenger areas.
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Travelling with your pet on Gdynia - Karlskrona
Pets can only travel on the Stena Spirit, Stena Ebba and Stena Estelle ferries in special pet cabins. A limited number of special pet cabins are available on each sailing. Pets cannot travel if the pet cabins are fully booked.
The pet must be registered at check-in, after which a member of staff will show the shortest route to a special pet cabin. Apart from the exercise area on the outside deck, pets are not allowed in the public areas. Dogs must wear a muzzle outside the cabin and must be kept on a leash. Cats must travel in a cage/carrier case.
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Travelling with your pet on Travemünde - Liepāja
On our Travemünde - Liepāja route you can travel with your pet on the Stena Flavia and Stena Livia. However you must pre-book a special pet cabin. There are two pet cabins available. Pets cannot travel if these pet cabins are fully booked. The animals are not allowed to stay in the vehicle during the crossing. Pets are not permitted access to the general passenger areas. Dogs must be kept on a leash and wear a muzzle.
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Travelling with your pet on Nynäshamn - Ventspils
The Stena Baltica and Stena Scandica have cabins where pets are allowed. When choosing a cabin for the transportation of pets, there is no charge for the pet, but the reservation should indicate how many pets will travel (max. 5 pets per cabin). During the summer season (from May 1 to September 30) pets are allowed to stay in the car. You can visit your pets at certain times accompanied by a crew member. There is an additional charge per pet staying in the car.
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What responsibilities do I have for my pet whilst travelling by ferry?
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Illicit Puppy Trading
Stena Line condemns the illicit puppy trade and tries to stop this practice. In cooperation with DAERA and DEFRA , Stena Line is actively taking action against the transport of dogs and puppies from puppy farms between Ireland and Great Britain. Investigators are authorized to stop and search vehicles belonging to people suspected of illegally dealing in dogs and puppies. All passengers who are guilty of illegally transporting dogs will be prevented from continuing their journey. The result is criminal prosecution and the confiscation of the puppies.
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Pets Liability Disclaimer
Stena Line cannot accept responsibility for any of the links from this web site, nor the content thereof. The links are provided purely for your benefit and Stena Line is not responsible for inaccuracies in the information provided.
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