We all know that relocating a family to a different country has its stresses and challenges.
Moving internationally, whether by choice or for a job, is a big decision that requires quite a bit of forethought and planning. This preparation becomes even more challenging when you have pets to relocate too. Making the move and relocating with pets internationally isn’t nearly as easy as moving with them domestically.
A move with pets internationally is not something that can be planned at the last minute. You will also need to know if there is a required quarantine period. Almost all countries will require your pet to at least have a current rabies vaccination, or a recent booster administered. Many countries also require an ISO microchip — transponders in these countries do not read non-ISO microchips — so make sure your pet has the right microchip.
Quarantine laws vary but are generally minimal now. In fact, some European countries no longer have a quarantine period anymore but require an EU Health Certificate instead.
Obtaining the right documentation and health certificates to allow your pets to enable them to leave the US and travel to the UK became a logistical, traumatic, stressful and expensive exercise for one family recently relocating back to the UK.
There are specialists who will advise and assist in international relocation for family pets. The days of expecting your pets to be on the same flight as you when you relocate is most rare.
In fact, when the pet freight company revealed that it would take between 3 – 4 days for air transit and they could not guarantee that the animals would be fed, given water or exercised during this period; they wouldn’t even give assurance that they would be alive upon arrival into the UK! Devastating and shocking news to the family.
The organising of the travel and obtaining the right travel documentation in time for the family pets became so stressful that the parents decided to have a meeting with the children. This conversation was to ask and try and persuade them if the pets could be given away to some good friends in Florida to save the hassle and resolve the pending problems. This was a last choice but a necessary conversation to have with the children they thought.
This emotional conversation did not go down well with the children and was clear that this was not an option.
An expensive but vital option was found, a private jet charter.
This extravagance allowed for the family and family pets to all fly together. This avoided airport delays, the risk at the time of being infected by Covid19, they had no luggage restrictions, and there was total flexibility of when and which airport they flew from and too.
And while the private aeroplane refuelled in Greenland prior to making the transatlantic part of the flight, the dogs were able to be exercised safely in the grounds of Kangerlussuaq Airport BGSF one of the largest airports in Greenland.
An indulgence and extravagance maybe but the parents who were at the end of their tether in coordinating the pet documentation and travel arrangements found a stylish solution for all.
For more information about pet transportation and relocating to the UK, please contact Barbara on + 44 (0) 1962 793100, / +44 (0) 7770 815325 or via email.