C is for... Cats (and moving them to a new country)
is for Cats!
And shipping. Shipping or travelling with any animal can be fraught with complications. In our case we were lucky that Switzerland, unlike the United Kingdom, doesn't require a quarantine. But there's still lots of paperwork, getting their vaccinations up-to-date, checkups by their regular vet as well as a European Union-certified one, microchipping... And all sorts of detailed rules regarding kennel sizes and weight regulations and so on.
Only once you've passed them to the loaders at the airport is it all out of your hands. Who knows what happens to them down there? Or on the plane? There was quite a bit of turbulence on our flight (lucky they got to travel with us as "excess baggage" and weren't shipped as cargo on a different date). When we picked them up, their water dishes had been spilled all over and it was none too clean inside the kennel. The cats themselves were warm and dry though, and when we finally got them to our apartment hotel they didn't seem any the worse for wear. Their appetites haven't returned to normal but besides a bit of mewling, they seem to be settling in.
And shipping. Shipping or travelling with any animal can be fraught with complications. In our case we were lucky that Switzerland, unlike the United Kingdom, doesn't require a quarantine. But there's still lots of paperwork, getting their vaccinations up-to-date, checkups by their regular vet as well as a European Union-certified one, microchipping... And all sorts of detailed rules regarding kennel sizes and weight regulations and so on.
Only once you've passed them to the loaders at the airport is it all out of your hands. Who knows what happens to them down there? Or on the plane? There was quite a bit of turbulence on our flight (lucky they got to travel with us as "excess baggage" and weren't shipped as cargo on a different date). When we picked them up, their water dishes had been spilled all over and it was none too clean inside the kennel. The cats themselves were warm and dry though, and when we finally got them to our apartment hotel they didn't seem any the worse for wear. Their appetites haven't returned to normal but besides a bit of mewling, they seem to be settling in.
Jet lagged kitties inspect the new view!
Comments
Lovely views you've all got before you find your own place .. cheers Hilary
Shells–Tales–Sails
To have been able to travel with your cats is just amazing.
Sadly, my human, Gary, when he moved from Canada to the UK, did indeed have to think about quarantining his beloved Canadian dog. Being six months of quarantine, he made the heart wrenching decision of giving up his dog to a loving Canadian family.
You cats most certainly will soon settle in.
Pawsitive wishes,
Penny the Jack Russell dog and modest internet superstar!
I was definitely worried; feel better now that the kitties are safely moved and housed.
Hi Jack Russell Penny! And Sara - I had a friend who moved to the UK and couldn't take all her animals with her. It's a relief when you can find a family to take them in.
I'm blushing, Zan Marie!