As a couple of you know, I'm preparing for a move across the ocean. From Kentucky, USA to London, England (well, probably Hertfordshire but same difference...sort of). As you can probably guess, this means the zoo goes with me. If it kills me, my animals will go with me. Of course, this means moving six budgies, one cockatiel (who thinks he's a budgie), one yellow-sided green cheek conure brat, one moody eclectus parrot, a shih tzu who thinks she's a human and a sheltie who thinks she's the queen.

 

First and foremost, because I'm tired of explaining this to airline workers and veterinarians over the phone: Yes, it is still legal to ship birds to the UK!! I have spoken with the woman who issues the permits in London. I have this information straight for the horse's mouth! (Not that she's a horse! She's a very very kind and helpful woman. She knows her stuff.)

 

All of this involves CITES permits for Frankie and Poe, health certificates for everyone else, microchips, blood testing, paperwork, paperwork, paperwork, shipping carriers, lots of driving, likely many bottles of antiacid medication (for me) and migraine headaches galore.

 

Because I've yet to find a detailed account of anyone taking their pets to another country but I KNOW it happens fairly often, I'm going to update this space as I learn more. Maybe it will help someone in the future or maybe you can just come back to read it to see if I've cracked yet.

 

Wish us luck. Goal date for the move is around March.

 

Also, I should be getting a new camera today so expect pictures! (Unless it arrives broken which would be typical of my luck.)

Congrats Terri!

Cool but all it sounds like a logistical nightmare!!!!! Do your animals have to go into quarintine?? What is making you go to England from sunny USA? i hope your prepared for the weather change!!

I'm moving to live with my fiance who already lives outside of London.

 

The birds will be quarantined at our home for 35 days so they don't have to be boarded anywhere. The dogs are going on the Pets Travel Scheme and they will also completely skip the nightmare of quarantine.

 

Pretty much, other than a 7-8 hour flight, the animals get to sit back for the ride while I work out the difficult stuff and pull my hair out.

 

Oh, and yes, I'm prepared for the weather. I've visited several times so I know what I'm up against for the most part. (Laughing out loud). I will pack my umbrella and lots of warm clothing. I will say goodbye to the beautiful sun.

Edited September 21, 200618 yr by eterri

If anyone can make this work ...you can. The organising part may be a nightmare, but I am sure you dot your I's and cross all your T's and make things happen. Best of luck

Thanks Bubbles! I'm doing my best, that's for sure. Though I wish one of these animals would help me with the i's and t's or something. They do nothing to earn their keep.

 

Unless you count cute as a currency of course.

Edited September 22, 200618 yr by eterri

Cute definitely counts. Can you imagine a single day without a dose of pet cuteness? Good luck with getting all your pets to the UK, doesn't sound like it's much fun sorting everything out but i'm sure you'll get there eventually!

All the best of luck to you Terri.

Eterri I hope you get through this Buracratic Nightmare... But if it helps.. Maybe some flatt packs.

 

Joking

Curious, how do they allow you to quarantine your birds at your own home? What is the "Pets Travel Scheme"?

Yeah thats what i was thinking Lisa - i thought they had to go into proper quarantine?? Best of luck Terri i hope the move goes smoothly for you and all your animals.

Eterri I hope you get through this Buracratic Nightmare... But if it helps.. Maybe some flatt packs.

 

Joking

(Laughing out loud). Well, I checked the rates and they weren't much better than flying them as cargo...

 

Curious, how do they allow you to quarantine your birds at your own home? What is the "Pets Travel Scheme"?

There are rules that go along with it. You have to have their vet check the birds out at the beginning of the quarantine and then visit to make sure they're the only birds on the premesis. You're not allowed to have anyone over who owns pet birds for that month (not that we'll know anyone who does anyway) and then at the end, the vet comes again and checks the birds out, signs a form stating they are still healthy.

 

PETS was launched in 2003 so that dogs and cats would no longer have to go through the six months of quarantine when going over to the UK. Now, the six months is spent here in the US but you have to follow a strict set of guidelines to qualify. The dogs have to be vaccinated, microchipped, and blood tested during those six months and then wormed 24 hours before their flight. They also need health certificates documenting that all of this has been done.

Edited September 22, 200618 yr by eterri