When I brought my dog with me to France, the biggest hurdle was getting here. The paperwork, the vaccinations, the approvals—all of that I shared in a previous post, Moving To Europe With Dogs .But what I did not know was what everyday life would actually be like once we arrived. France, as it turns out, has its own way of living with dogs. Some things are so much structured. On the other hand, some things are more relaxed. And some things surprised me. Here are 5 essential things to know about living in France with a dog.
1. Your pet must be registered in France within seven days
Even though my dog was already microchipped with an internationally recognized chip and had her rabies vaccine and immunizations up to date, there was still one more step.
Within seven days of arrival, I needed to take her to a veterinarian to register her with ICAD, the national registry for cats, dogs, and ferrets.
The vet prepared a Provisional Certificate of Identification, valid for one month, and submitted her information online. I paid a small fee of 11 euros to complete the process.
Simple—but something I would not have known if I hadn’t asked.
2. Dogs are considered passengers in the car – Living in France with a dog
This surprised me.
If your dog rides in the back seat, they must wear a seat belt made for dogs. If they ride in the hatchback area, there needs to be a barrier or screen.
Not securing your dog can result in a 400-euro fine.
Here, their safety is taken seriously.
3. Having a dog does not prevent you from renting an apartment
This was a huge relief. In France, a dog is not considered a reason to deny you an apartment. It removed one of the worries I had before coming.
4. Dogs are almost always on a leash – Living in France with a dog
Most dogs walk calmly beside their owners through town, always leashed. Certainly, there is a sense of order to it. They seem to know they belong.
5. Poop bags are not as common as I expected
Although, in the United States, almost everyone carries bags attached to the leash, here that is not always the case.It is not uncommon to see a dog relieve itself and the owner simply walk on. Some grassy areas can feel like navigating a field of land mines.
I am very glad I brought a large supply of bags with me. You can find them here, especially at stores like Maxi Zoo, but I have learned it is always best to be prepared.
And the most beautiful part of all…
France is an incredibly dog-friendly country.
Dogs sit beside their owners in cafés. They ride on trains. They walk into shops as if they belong there. Because they do.
They are part of daily life.
Moving to France has been a learning curve in ways I expected and also many I did not. Thankfully, I have had a steady companion beside me, walking with me through each new street, each new discovery, and quietly helping me find my way home.
Thanks for being here,
-Soraya
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