Essential Animal Information for France & Monaco
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Essential information and contacts on the following subjects is available below:
Veterinarians
Sadly the laws of the Ordre des Vétérinaires prohibit AngloINFO from publishing a list of English speaking vets.
The website of the Ordre des Vétérinaires of France has many useful links to animal nutritional suppliers, dog, cat and horse breeders and much more (in French).
Emergency vet services
| Emergency veterinary: Alpes-Maritimes
(after hours, Sundays and holidays) |
Tel: 04 93 83 46 64 |
| Fréjus area: Emergency Vet (SOS Vétérinaires) |
Tel: 04 94 51 51 47 |
| Toulon area: SOS Vétérinaires |
Tel: 04 94 88 31 88
Tel: 04 98 00 93 64 |
Dog Vaccination
No vaccination is compulsory for a dog living in France. However if a dog is
travelling to a foreign country then it must be vaccinated against rabies;
likewise all kennels (pensions) and most campsites insist on valid rabies
vaccination. Show and competition dogs must also be inoculated.
The majority of France is rabies free, however there have been cases of rabies
since November 2007 and restrictions on the movement of dogs and cats not
vaccinated against rabies may be in force.
- For more information from the Department of Agriculture: Click
here (in French)
Vets recommend that all caring owners vaccinate their dogs. They should be vaccinated annually for the following:
- C - Le carré (distemper)
- H - L'hépatite de rubarth or hépatite contagieuse canine (infectious hepatitis)
- P - La parvovirose (parvovirus)
- L - La leptospirose (leptospirosis)
- R - La rage (rabies)
- PI - La toux de chenil para-influenza (kennel cough)
Regional
- La Piroplasmose
Note: The piroplasmosis parasite carried on certain ticks can
kill a dog in as little as three days. The vaccination protects against this
dangerous tick found in certain parts of France. If you will be travelling with your dog, consult your vet.
- The Rabies injection is not always given, but must be if you plan to cross borders with your dog.
Note: Dogs moving to France or Monaco from the UK may not have been injected against Kennel Cough. If
there is a possibility that the dog will board in France, it would be wise to vaccinate against this.
Animal
Organisations France
French Riviera animal shelters (refuges)
To adopt an animal from a shelter (refuge) take proof of identity (passport or Titre de
Séjour) and proof of address (a recent utility bill such as electricity or
telephone bill). All shelters charge an adoption fee and most allow a one-month
trial period during which you may return the animal and be refunded if the
rehoming has not worked out.
English is not spoken at most of these animal shelters.
- Refuge Jean Duflos (Association Union Protectrice des Animaux
d'Antibes, UPA)
At: 1770 Chemin des Terriers, Antibes (privately managed shelter next to
Animalis and Decathlon. Cats and dogs available for adoption)
Tel/Fax: 04 93 33 14 14
Website
- Refuge l'Espoir (Association Société Protectrice des Animaux
de Grasse, SPA)
At: Parc de la Valmasque, Route d'Antibes, Mougins (between Sophia
Antipolis and Mougins. Cats and dogs available for adoption)
Tel: 04 93 65 44 11
- SPACA Vence, Refuge des Collines (Association Sauvetage
Protection Animaux Côte d'Azur de Vence)
At: 3192 Chemin Riou, Vence (above Vence town on the road to the Col
de Vence. Dogs - some very large breeds - available for adoption)
Tel/Fax: 04 93 24 08 45
- Refuge Lady Yule (Société Protectrice des Animaux, SPA)
At: 403 Chemin du Refuge, Mougins (vast dog refuge between Mougins
and Cannes)
Tel: 04 93 45 29 22
Fax: 04 93 46 13 84
- Les Chats de Stella, Refuge Gireau (Cats available for adoption)
At: 1460 Ancien chemin de la Gaude, Vence
Tel/Fax: 04 93 24 09 85
Website
- Le Refuge de Flassans (Refuge SAM)
See the website for directions to this English-speaking Var refuge (Dogs for
adoption)
Tel: 06 20 57 91 34
Website
- Les Chats du Mercantour
Kittens and cats available for adoption. All checked free of Feline Aids
and Feline Leukemia
At: 32, rue Droite, St-Etienne de Tinée
Tel: 06 18 94 35 76 / 04 93 02 33 41
e-mail
e-mail
(English-speaking contact)
Website
- For more dog, cat and bird shelters in the PACA region: Click
here
Animal Organisations Monaco
- Société Canine de Monaco (The Monaco Kennel Club)
At: Ave d'Ostende 12, Palais des Congres, Monte Carlo 98000
Tel: +337 93 50 55 14
Fax: +337 93 30 55 03
- Club International des Ams Guides d’Aveugles de Monaco
The Guide Dogs for the Blind Club in Monaco
At: 25, bd Princesse Charlotte, Monaco 98000
Tel: +337 93 30 88 31
- Monaco Cat Fanciers
At: 24, avenue Princess Grace
- Monaco's SPA (Société
Protectrice des Animaux) animal shelter is the Refuge l'Abri Société Protectrice des Animaux de Monaco, S.P.A.
(Society for Animal Protection in Monaco) and based in Eze Village, France
At: Quartier des Costes, Eze Village
Tel: 04 93 41 03 62
Identification and Registration
Identification and registration is compulsory for dogs (either tattoo in the ear or a
microchip inserted beneath the skin) is compulsory in most
instances for cats, dogs and ferrets in France and Monaco. (Refer to article L. 214.5 of
the
code rural)
- More from website j'identifiermonanimal: Click
here (in French)
Dogs
- All dogs entering France or Monaco from within or outside of the EU of it must be
identified by tattoo or microchip
- All dogs in départements declared as having rabies must be identified
(consult your vet)
- All dogs being bought or sold must be identified
- Note: The only exemption is in the case of a dog born before 6
January 1999 that has remained in France all it's life with the same owner.
Cats
- All cats entering France or Monaco from within or outside of the EU of it must be
identified by tattoo or microchip
- All cats in départements declared as having rabies must be identified
(consult your vet)
- All cats being bought or sold must be identified (kittens can be sold
under the registration number of their mother)
Ferrets
- All ferrets entering France from within or out side of the EU of it must
be identified by tattoo or microchip
- All ferrets in départements declared as having rabies must be identified
(consult your vet)
General Laws
- The sale of puppies and kittens under eight weeks old is banned
- A certificate of sale and vet's "clean bill of health" must be
issued by the seller to the buyer of an animal.
- Public inspectors may enter business premises and animal transport
vehicles if they feel that an animal may be in distress
- Public inspectors may also break into a vehicle parked in full sun if an
animal's life is endangered, and in an emergency, they may order that an
animal is removed to a shelter
- There are heavy penalties for cruelty and mistreatment of an animal
Buying a pet
The buyer should receive:
- Identification tattoo (3 letters and 3 figures) & ID card.
- Contract or sales certificate which must show the full names and address
of seller and buyer, the date of sale, price and the consulting vet.
In addition for a pedigree animal:
- Birth certificate or pedigree:
- Vaccination book (not compulsory)
- Information booklet detailing tips on needs, features and training
recommendations of the animal.
Animals Lost and Found
If an animal is lost take action as quickly as possible:
If it is a dog, cat or ferret and identified by tattoo or microchip contact:
- The National Dog Register (Fichier National Canin) Tel: 01 49 37 54
54
- The National Cat & Ferret Register (Fichier National Félin) Tel:
01 55 01 08 08
Website
Next:
- Contact APOT Lost & Found
At: APOT. 27 Bd Paul Montel, 06200 Nice.
Tel: 0800 037
016
- Notify the local police, pompiers and vets in the area the animal was lost.
- Put up notices (with a photograph of the pet, if possible) in the vets, Mairie and shops of the area it went missing.
- Contact the local animal shelters in the area. See ODAA for a list of local refuges
- click on "Shelters in our Region".
If a stray animal has been found
If the animal has a tattoo contact the national central register. Or take it
to the nearest vet who will be able to read the microchip number and notify teh
central registry:
- The National Dog Register (Fichier National Canin) Tel: 01 49 37 54
54
-
The National Cat & Ferret Register (Fichier National Félin) Tel: 01 55
01 08 08
Website
- Notify the local police, pompiers and vets in the area the animal was found supplying a full description and the tattoo number if the animal has one (usually stamped inside the ear or on the inner thigh)
These organisations have a records of the owner and will contact them giving
them your contact details.
- If the animal has no tattoo, or you are unable to look after it while the owner is found, take it to your local animal shelter. See
ODAA for a list of local refuges.
- If you do this, make sure that the police, pompiers and vets know where you have taken the animal.
Other contacts:
Abused Animal, What to do
Assault, ill-treatment, abandonment, torture and neglect all constitute
mistreatment and punishable by fine or imprisonment under French law. Conviction
and sentencing is the jurisdiction of the Courts.
- Report what you have seen to the local police, Court authorities, or if
there is one, at your local or animal protection organisation.
- Your complaint will be taken to the State prosecutor who will decide
whether to lay charges.
- If you find the police unhelpful, you are entitled to write (giving full
details) to the State prosecutor at the Tribunal de Grande Instance
(Regional Court) in the area where the events took place. They may decide
whether to order an investigation.
Taking an Animal on Holiday
Up-to-date vaccinations, identification and a health certificate issued by your vet
are compulsory to enter another country (including Corsica), and for visiting
most French campsites, holiday resorts and hotels.
- For information on which beaches on the French Riviera allow
dogs: Click
here
Public transport
- Train: A supplement must be paid for an animal to travel in a basket,
and half-fare if on a lead
- Air: An animal may travel in a basket as hand-baggage (if small enough)
or in the baggage hold on some airlines
- Ship: The animal must stay in the kennels or the hold
Boarding
A vet should have contact details of reliable local dog-minders or
kennels.
- Check with the Prefecture that the kennel/boarding facility is licensed.
- Pay a visit to make sure you are satisfied.
- Get a written agreement on dates and details from the kennel.
- Remember to provide instructions with any special medication or food your
pet may need.
- Provide copies of tattoo identification and health certificate.
- Contact details where you can be reached (or the details of a friend)
while away.
Dog Droppings
A law exists in Paris, requiring owners to pick up their
dog dropping or risk being fined. This is not law on the Côte d'Azur, however,
it is considered to be "decent".
Dangerous Dogs: Legality of Attack and Guard Dogs
The law of 6 January 1999 relating to "dangerous and stray animals and to
the protection of domestic animals" has been under debate with proposed
changes to regulations announced in September 2007.
Proposed reinforcements are:
- Obligatory training of the owners or handlers and their dangerous dogs
- Veterinary certificate to be supplied when registering the dogs at the
Mairie
- Increase in laws which permitting the euthanasia of problem dogs
- Banning on any cross breeding which can lead to a dangerous dog
- Reinforcement of the control on importing category 2 dogs
- Prohibition on the possession of a category 1 dog born since the
establishment of the law of 6 January 1999
- For further information on measures under
discussion: Click
here (PDF Projet de loi in French)
Dogs classed as dangerous
- Category 1: Attack dogs: Pitbull/American Staffordshire Terrier (without pedigree registration),
Mastiff/Boerbull without pedigree registration, Tosa (without pedigree
papers)
- Category 2: Guard dogs: Rottweiler (pedigreed), Staffordshire terrier (pedigreed), American Staffordshire Terrier (pedigreed), Tosa Inu
(pedigree). These dogs must be registered with a pedigree
which is recognised by the French Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.
Note: The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a smaller breed than other Staffordshire
breeds, with no proven dangerous tendencies. It is not classified as a dangerous
dog even though previous statements had (wrongly) included it.
- More information on the Staffordshire Bull Terrier under point
"2": Click
here (in French)
Owning a dangerous dog
A person may only own a dog on the list of "dangerous and potentially
dangerous dogs" (chien susceptible d'être dangereux) under the following
conditions:
- Must be aged 18 or older and if over 18 must not be under supervision
- Must not have been convicted of a crime or imprisoned
- Must not previously have had the right to own a dangerous dog
withdrawn
Responsibilities of the dog owner
The dog must be kept on a lead and muzzled in public places.
It is obligatory to register it at the Town Hall (Mairie). A form must
be completed and submitted along with the following documents:
- Proof of identification of the dog,
- Proof of valid anti-rabies inoculation
- Proof of third party public liability insurance for the owner or handler
of the dog
The registration forms can be downloaded online:
- Form for or a category 1 dog (CERFA 11459): Click
here
- Form for or a category 2 dog (CERFA 11461): Click
here
Additional provisions in owning a category 1 dog
- Acquisition, sale, purchase and importing of these dogs is banned
- Sterilisation of male and female dogs is compulsory (must have a
veterinary certificate to prove this)
- Access to public transport or public places is prohibited
Official information and forms
Much information is available from the French government:
- For information and forms to register a category dog: Click
here (in French)
- For the rules on owning a dangerous dog: Click
here (in French)
- The rules for owning an attack dog (specifically): Click
here
Further Information
With information contributed by Jilly Bennet of Pension Milou
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