Having Dogs In Fuerteventura

Many people have asked about our dogs – whether we bought them with us from the UK or got them here. So, I thought I would briefly talk about having a dog in Fuerteventura and give the legal requirements for having dogs in Fuerteventura.

I did post about how we got the dogs here – https://www.jpinfuerteventura.com/categories/dogs/our-dogs/

Each dog must have a passport, be micro-chipped and have a Rabies jab. Unfortunately, so many locals don’t do this or have their dogs neutered – but nothing seems to happen to them.

You must always have your dogs on a lead, apart from in a dog park. This doesn’t seem to apply to locals. Dogs are not allowed on a beach except for a designated dog beach. These are few and far between – if you can call them a beach anyway. Many people, particularly the locals, take their dogs on beaches. Do you see a pattern here?

Travelling With Your Dog to Fuerteventura

To answer the questions “Can I take my dog to Fuerteventura?” or even “Can I take my dog to the Canary Islands?” you can, but at a cost.

If you own property in the Canary Islands and are on the Padron, you can take advantage of the 75% resident discount on the ferries, which can save a fortune.

By Air to Fuerteventura

Flying to/from the UK, dogs have to travel on a scheduled flight (which means British Airways or Iberia I think) and they can only fly into or out of an airport with an animal reception centre. I think this means Gatwick, Heathrow or Manchester. Because of this the dogs go airfreight which costs a fortune.

Dogs flying to Germany, Holland, Belgium etc travel as baggage with a passenger. Generally, the cost is about the same as the passenger pays, which could be as little as 39€.

Small dogs can even travel in the cabin in a suitable carry bag. I have heard of people flying to Belgium or Holland and being met by someone who has travelled by road across the Channel, which is much cheaper.

By car and ferry

Cadiz-Canary Islands

Traveling by car and ferry here with your dog, driving through France and Spain and getting the ferry from Cadiz is possible. The service is operated by Transmediterraneas and details can be found on their website.

A viewer of my videos, etc, has sent me some photos about this ferry route, which he has taken with his dog a few times. This is what he said and the photos – thanks John!

“Here are a few photos on board the Albayzin ferry from Cadiz-Arrecife this year clearly showing the kennels (the hotel Transylvania) on the open deck where the dogs can be exercised every 2 hrs until midnight. The kennels reopen at 8am. The kennels also have wifi cameras, which you can view on your phone. Doesn’t work on iPads. Water and pooper bags are available in the kennels. This year’s crossing took 32 hours with a return cost of approximately €1200 for two adults, 1 dog and a 6m camper van onboard meals are included. We didn’t get a cabin as the cost was ridiculous and are not available in pet-friendly options (no matter what the website says).”

Huelva-Canary Islands

A new Fred Olsen ferry starts between Huelva in Spain and the Canary Islands with 34 covered kennels. You can visit the dogs during the voyage. Details can be found here – Fred Olsen Huelva-Canary Islands.

Special animal transportation companies can also arrange to transport dogs (and cats) from the UK here and vice versa.

UPDATE: January 2020

Fred Olsen has introduced a limited number of cabins where your dog can spend the night with you. This is currently on the crossings carried out by the ship “Marie Curie”. For further details, see post on their Facebook page – Dog Friendly Cabins

Something to bear in mind:

Rescue Dogs

There are so many dogs needing good homes here that finding a rescue dog is certainly not difficult. Fuerteventura Dog Rescue, run by volunteers, does a great job but it is an uphill battle.

Fuerteventura Dog Rescue: Facebook Page

Watch video in Youtube