1462 Pet Transporters?

We are bringing cats to Italy, too. Given the length of the journey and the number of cats, we've decided to let a pet tranporter company handle the move for us. They will monitor the entire operation and will have their own people meet each flight to ensure that the cats are fine and correctly moved onto the next stage. We particularly like the idea that these companies will provide temporary kennelling, should the flights be delayed or otherwise changed. They have veterinarians on call should they be needed and will provide door to door service.

Now, that's what their websites say. Has anyone used a pet transporter company to move their pets from the US to Europe? What experiences have you had? Any recommendations? Any companies to avoid?

It's good to know that so many others love their pets and can't leave them home.

Category
General chat about Italy

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 09/29/2005 - 02:30

Haven't used a Pet Transporter ourselves, we will be taking our cats on the same flight as us.
How many cats are you moving? Good luck, hope it all works well.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 09/29/2005 - 06:56

I was about to ask why you couldn't just drive them over, then checked your address :o I think you have made the right decision, given the number of transfers, and the potential for delays etc., I do hope the company keeps it's promises, Best of luck to you.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 09/29/2005 - 09:29

Hi,

I guess there is a quarantine procedure in place in Italy, as there is in the UK, for pets from outside the EU? If the cats have to go into quarantine, many catteries / kennels provide airport collection service & sort out the paperwork involved, and make sure that pets are OK (I daren't say 'fine' because they wouldn't be in any event).

Perhaps you could ask the transport company for some customer references? If they're good, they shouldn't mind.

Stephanie

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 09/29/2005 - 17:09

Thanks for all the good wishes. I must say that moving the cats is the most difficult part of the relocation, as far as we are concerned. Both of us have moved so much, the 8 years we've lived in this house in Florida is the longest we've ever stayed any place since we were children! The same can't be said about the cats, with one exception, all of them have come to us since we've been in Florida so they have no experience with moving anyplace.

Luckily for us (and the cats) Italy does not have a quarantine requirement, Stephanie, so that's at least one worry we don't have!

So far we have one reference for one company--someone who moved her dog from Orlando to Abu Dhabi--and it was very positive. We're trying to find out as much as we can so we are sure to contract with the best firm.

We're breaking the news to the cats slowly; so far we've given each of them Italian names. We're getting a lot of confused looks.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 09/30/2005 - 09:09

Ahh great to know that they won't have to go into quarantine. That would have definitely prolongued their suffering. Good news about the reference too.

I like your idea of giving them Italian names! :D
They will know well in advance that something's up - cats always do - and as long as you're there to calm them, they should be fine.

Good luck with that company! I hope all goes well for the kitties...

Stephanie