In an ideal world, it would not be necessary to put pets or their owners through the experience of quarantine. However, sometimes things don't go as smoothly as they should. I lived abroad for a long time and had absolutely no intention of raising pets, simply because I knew that when I came to go home, it would be complicated and stressful to take them with me. However, when someone was about to leave the country and didn't want to take their cats, I ended up taking them in. Unfortunately, when I came to leave, no-one was prepared to return the favour, and as I lived in a country where they would have been seen as food to some, I decided that I would take them with me.
I cannot provide an A-Z of exactly what to do when transferring animals from one country to another, because it depends very much on the regulations in both countries. However, these are some tips to help owners prepare themselves for the road ahead.
Would they be happier staying where they are?
Few people who have pets don't become attached to them and it is always hard to make the choice to leave them behind. However, if there is a willing home for them with people that you trust, then it is worth considering this option. I obviously went ahead with putting my cats in quarantine, but I can honestly say it was one of the most stressful times of my life - and my cats weren't exactly overwhelmed by it either!
What regulations does the quarantine country have?
Check the quarantine rules that the country you are moving to has. This may sound obvious, but I have known people plan to take a pet with them, only to find at the last minute that the animal was not permitted into the country. In this day and age, it is easy enough to find a list of regulations on the Internet; if not, your local Embassy or Consulate may be able to help. Check how long your pet will need to stay in quarantine and what veterinary procedures it is necessary to go through before they will be allowed into the country.
What regulations does the host country have?
Don't presume that you can just take your pet to the airport and have them stowed away in the hold. They will probably need injections and blood tests, and several pieces of paper will probably have to be stamped before they are eligible to be taken abroad. Check how long before travelling you need to complete all this and make a check list so that you ensure everything is covered. You may need to have pets vaccinated at both ends - mine needed a rabies injection both in the host country and then on arrival in the quarantine country.
How will my pets be transported?
Check how your pets will be transported. It is quite common for removal companies to be able to arrange all this for you, but you still need to know what they can travel in, what provisions they will need, how you will get them to the airport and what procedures they will need to go through when they get there. Size and type of cage is important - some airport carriers will not accept cages that are too small or made of the wrong material. I personally think it is best to err on the side of a larger than normal cage so that your pet has plenty of room to move. You will also need to find out how they will be picked up the other end - generally, quarantine kennels will arrange this for you, but you will need to check!
How much will it cost?
By the time that vets' bills from both ends, paperwork, transport and quarantine costs have been taken into consideration, your bill will probably be enormous. To give you an idea, mine was about four thousand pounds five years ago, although different countries have different arrangements - within Europe, for example, is cheaper. Bear this cost in mind - don't wait until you have brought your pets home before you decide you can't afford it - and have a ballpark figure to work with.
How do I choose a quarantine kennel?
You probably won't have a lot of choice - in the UK at least, there are only certain kennels that are allowed to accept quarantine animals. However, this does mean that they have to pass certain regulations before being given a licence, so the chances are that they are clean and kind to animals. I chose mine via the Internet initially, and then had a telephone conversation with the owners. Once I was happy that they knew what they were doing, I arranged to pay them the deposit. I chose a kennels that was as near as possible to where I would be living so that I could go and visit.
I hope that I never have to go through the quarantine procedure again - I certainly have no intentions in the near future. However, if you are planning to transfer your pets abroad, I hope that this will provide food for thought. Good luck!
