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Help Me Move My Pet

Pet Travel Question: Shipping a Dog from China to the United States

Tuesday, May 14, 2013 by Pet Travel Questions

Name: Jody
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Small Chinese dog, 10 to 12 pounds
From: Nanning, China
To: Houston, Texas

Can you assist me with getting my dog from China to Houston, Texas? I will need assistance with the regulations and paperwork. My wife is currently in China until the end of June and we would like to bring the dog with her back to the United States.

Regards,

Jody

 

Hi Jody,

Sure, we'd be happy to help you move your pet. For quicker service you can call our office: +001-512-362-6100, or you can fill out our free quote form which will allow a specialist to look over the details of your move and offer you an estimate and overview of our services.

For your information, here are the pet import requirements for the United States. Your dog will need an international health certificate issued within 10 days of departure as well as an updated rabies vaccine. We recommend choosing a pet-friendly airline and making sure your dog is comfortable spending time in the travel crate, as well.

We look forward to hearing from  you -- please let us know if you have any questions!

 

Pet Travel Question: Shipping Dogs to Canada

Wednesday, May 8, 2013 by Pet Travel Questions

Name: Eddie
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Collie
From: Ireland
To: Canada

What do I have to do to get my dog from Ireland to Canada? Will the dog travel with me or alone, and how much does it cost?

Thanks,

Eddie

 

Hi Eddie,

Thanks so much for the question, we'd be glad to help. First, take a look at the pet import requirements for Canada. You'll need to take care of a few things, including the rabies vaccine and a vet health certificate. We also recommend a microchip if you don't have one, and it'll be important to choose a pet-friendly airline.

Most of the pets we ship are on separate flights from their owners, as we take care of getting them checked in and then going through customs on the other end. Let us know if you're interested in our services and we'll tell you more about how it works and what the cost breakdown is. If you'd like to organize it yourself, Ipata.org is a good resource for finding pet shipping agents.

Good luck with the trip!
 

Pet Move of the Month: Mahalo's Happy Hawaii Reunion

Tuesday, May 7, 2013 by PetRelocation.com Customer

Though there's something special about each and every pet move we carry out, some stories are especially memorable. Meet Mahalo the cat, our featured pet move this month. After enduring a natural disaster (the 2011 tsunami and earthquake in Japan), Mahalo's owner Marian sent her beloved cat to live with friends in Colorado while she left Japan and searched for a new place to live. When she was able to get settled in a cat friendly condo in Hawaii she knew it was time to bring him home, and of course we were happy to help arrange their reunion.

Read more about Mahalo, a one-of-a-kind cat with a very dedicated owner.

Thank you for speaking with us, Marian! When was the last time you saw Mahalo before this relocation? You surely missed him...

The last time I saw Mahalo was last year around August 2012 during a visit to Boulder, where my friend was taking care of him. We had our high school reunion in Boulder so I stayed with her. The timing was great -- I attended the reunion and visited my friend and Mahalo.

What I missed most about him is hard to say because he just IS. He has a presence. He has a matter-of-fact way of getting on with life no matter what the circumstances! I guess if I had to pick, it was his inquisitive nature, his friendliness, and how he would come running when called by name. He also has a sit and shake routine! When I say sit, he would do it and then lift up his right paw for a snack!

Did anything concern you about the idea of moving Mahalo?

For the move from Boulder to Hawaii, I was most concerned about there being a hiccup with quarantine -- although I KNEW I had faxed all the paperwork and documents to Mandy. Still, windows of dates create anxiety. I have had pets experience Hawaii quarantine back in the day when there were NO shortcuts, and even with shortcuts you hear of horror stories. I have also shipped cats from Oregon to Hawaii in 2002 so I should be used to it, but in reality everything has worked out and the quarantine people are fantastic. Not sure why I was so anxious!

How has Mahalo been adjusting to life in Hawaii?

Interestingly there have been some changes. Back in Japan, he used to love dark tight corners, like underneath my bed frame, between the bottom of the bed and a futon I stored underneath. Tight! But back in Boulder he loved the crate they put out to get him acclimated, and also slept in the closet with the little girl of the house. He also licked my face to wake me up like an alarm clock back in Japan and did that with the little girl. But once he got back here, he jumps into my bed to wake me up, rolls around, etc... but no alarm clock licks of the face. He also does NOT like the crate at all, even though he did back in Boulder before leaving. In fact, when I put him in there with the fleece he loves, he growled! Gee! But he still sits and shakes on cue!

 

 

Is Hawaii a pet friendly place to be?

I am a resident owner of my condo and it is a pet friendly complex -- a new one, and I wouldn't have bought in if it wasn't. That was a condition when I started looking two years ago; while pet friendly is growing in Hawaii, it is not easy (especially for large dogs or multiple pets). I am planning to get a second cat, but I have to check out the rules.

Homeowner rules are pretty strict in Hawaii even in condos -- dogs have a weight restriction of about 25 pounds I think, and one pet is generally the rule. However, some condos have been known to grandfather in long time residents and change rules for new buyers. There are lots of vets in the city and in suburbs so you have to wonder where do these owners live? Small animal vet services are very lucrative and busy. Boarding starts at about $25 a day and there are plenty of pet sitters, but again I always advise folks to get personal referrals only. Many pet owners want people to come to their homes, and the going price is $25-$35 a day. Finally, there is a Petco in the city of Honolulu and the suburbs as well as Walmart, Walgreens and other stores that support pets, so there is certainly nothing to worry about.

The one piece of advice I would give to pet owners moving to Hawaii is to nail down a place to live first. Be sure it allows pets. Dog runs (mostly in suburbs) and parks I think are available in the city and the beach, but people must pick up after their pet. Of course that doesn't apply to cats; my cats are strictly indoors. I am not a fan of letting cats run amok outside, as Hawaii has a lot of birds and they are tame, which means they are fodder for cats. Also, living in a condo means there is no good way cats can be let outdoors.

You've moved Mahalo by yourself before, so what made you decide to hire the services of PetRelocation this time?

I found about PetRelocation through a friend in Japan who used your services from Florida to Japan back to Florida. Also, I saw you on Facebook after the friend told me about your services. I decided to use your services because I was not planning to go to Boulder to meet Mahalo, as some other issues came up precluding my doing the arranging. Also, after talking to my friend from Florida, I realized I did not want the hassle of taking him to the airport in Denver, yaddah yaddah.... Also that he would be delivered to me in Honolulu was the best part. I did not want to do the send off and pick up I have done too many times.

I liked the prompt response emails from Mandy. She went into detail about every concern I had. I also liked that you have local vendors and that you start the process early on, which was good for a planner like me. I couldn't have done without the hand-holding on the communications regarding departure, arrival, and quarantine. For me, just firing off emails and getting an answer was the best!

Thanks again, and we're looking forward to Mahalo becoming famous. Just as an FYI - he was a show cat in Japan and has won his share of ribbons, although he is now retired. He placed in his class of neutered short hair cats.

 

Thanks to Marian for sharing this wonderful story with us. We're glad Mahalo is home safe and sound at last! Please contact us for more information about moving pets to Hawaii, and travel safely, everyone.

 

Pet Travel Question: Pet Shipping to Singapore

Tuesday, April 30, 2013 by Pet Travel Questions

Name: Leah
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Border Collie Mix
From: Denver, USA
To: Singapore

How can I transport my dog from the US to Singapore in July?

Thanks,

Leah

 

Hi Leah,


The steps for moving your dog to Singapore from the United States are outlined here. You'll need to have your dog microchipped if not already, update the required vaccines (paying close attention to the rabies vaccine procedure in particular), and secure a vet health certificate within 10 days of departure. Since Singapore imposes a quarantine, you'll also need to make those arrangements well in advance.

International pet travel can be confusing, so be sure to allow plenty of time to plan and don't hesitate to seek assistance. Many people decide to enlist professional help when moving a pet, and we'd be happy to tell you more about our door-to-door services if you're interested. Here is a link to our free quote form if you'd like a cost estimate.

Contact us if you have more questions, check out our Facebook page to meet some of the pets we've moved, and good luck with everything!

Fellow IPATA Members Visit the PetRelocation Office

Monday, April 29, 2013 by Caitlin Moore

PetRelocation belongs to an international network of pet shipping specialists called IPATA (the International Pet and Animal Transportation Association), which means we are able to meet and share information with some of the world's best service providers in our field. 

Last week we attended a regional IPATA meeting in Dallas, TX (that's just a few hours away from our Austin headquarters), and there we were able to get to know a few of our colleagues a little bit better. In fact, a few of them were so interested in what we do that they decided to prolong their time in Texas and come down to our office for a visit. Today Manuel Leunda from Las Lunas in Argentina and Simon Jackson from Dogtainers in Australia were kind enough to spend some time with us for a "Lunch & Learn."

Manuel is actually the current president of IPATA, and he updated us on all the latest pet shipping news and plans for expansion in South America. Simon is the IPATA Treasurer, and he answered our questions about Australia import rules and how they may be changing in the coming years. The world of pet travel is busy, complex and dynamic, so we were happy to have the chance to catch up with these friendly experts. It's always beneficial to have face-to-face meetings with people we normally do business with by phone and email, and we love showing off the great city of Austin to out of town guests, as well.

Thanks to Manuel and Simon for stopping by and giving us great overviews of the important work they do. Thanks also to Kyle Freeman from VIP Sitters in Canada, who stopped by last Friday to say hello. Come back anytime, y'all!

 

Lunch & Learn with fellow IPATA members

Pet Travel Question: Cat Shipping to Norway

Thursday, April 11, 2013 by Pet Travel Questions

Name: Georgia
Number of Pets: Three
Pet Type: Cats
Pet Breed: Domestic Short Hair
From: Adelaide, Australia
To: Bergen, Norway

Hi,

My soon to be husband and I are wanting to immigrate from Australia to Bergen at the beginning of next year, and we want to bring our three cats with us. I was wondering how long the quarantine period would be in Norway for my cats? Also, how would we go about finding long term accommodation (through renting) that would allow our pets?

Thanks,

Georgia

 

Hi Georgia,

Thanks for contacting us, and congratulations on your upcoming life adventures! Here are the pet import requirements for Norway. There is currently no quarantine for pets being transferred here, however you will need to take care of a few arrangements in order for everything to go smoothly (health documents, rabies vaccines, etc).

We're not directly in contact with any apartment owners/locaters in Norway, but we'd suggest searching online and checking out expat websites such as expatarrivals.com.

Thanks again for the questions, and please contact us if you're interested in our services or are wondering about anything else. Good luck with everything!

Pet Travel Question: Dog Airline Logistics

Thursday, April 11, 2013 by Pet Travel Questions

Name: Michele
Number of Pets: One
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Cockapoo
From: Sweden
To: USA

We are moving back to the US from Sweden at the beginning of July. Before our dog came to us, she went through all of the requirements for Sweden. Eighteen months later, we are going back and have a few questions.

First, are there any requirements for the USA she needs to complete? Second, how can we best ship our dog in April in the most economical way? We have learned that she can't fly with us on the flights we arranged.

Thanks for your advice,

Michele



Hi Michele,

Thanks for your question, we're happy to assist. First, take a look at the pet import requirements for the United States. This is one of the less stringent countries when it comes to bringing pets in, so if you've traveled recently it sounds like you'll be in pretty good shape. Most importantly: You will need to secure a health certificate from your vet within 10 days of departure, and your rabies vaccine will need to be up to date (administered at least 30 days before departure).

As far as the flight, most of the time our clients are not on the same flight as their pet. As long as there is someone to deliver your dog to the airport and pick her up (this could be you, a friend, a delivery agent, etc.), she should be able to ride in the cargo area of the plane unaccompanied. We highly recommend doing some research to select a pet friendly airline (we often use KLM, United and Lufthansa).

Please contact us if you have questions about these logistics, and if you'd like to find out more about our services, here is our free quote form. Good luck with everything, and thanks again for checking in with us!

Pet Travel Question: Traveling with a Dog to India

Wednesday, April 10, 2013 by Pet Travel Questions

Name: Sonia
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Labrador
From: Houston, TX
To: Delhi, India

I am planning to take my pet to India for a period of three months and come back to the United States. Could you please let me know the documentation required and processing fees?

Thanks,

Sonia

 

Hi Sonia,

Thanks for contacting us. Traveling to India for three months means preparing your dog for the trip there and then meeting the necessary requirements for the return to the states. Here are the pet import requirements for India as well as the pet import requirements for the United States -- you'll need to formulate a schedule in order to secure all the documents at the proper time.

The fees will depend on how much of the process you handle yourself and how much you'd like to hire someone else to help with (drivers to or from the airport, for example). You can check out IPATA.org to contact individual pet shipping agents, or you can contact us if you're interested in our services. Finally, if you'd like to try to do it yourself, you can peruse our blog for more resources about traveling with pets to India.

No matter how you decide to do it, good luck with everything!

Pet Travel Question: Shipping Pets to Dubai

Monday, April 1, 2013 by Pet Travel Questions

Name: Laura
Number of Pets: 2
Pet Type: 1 Dog and 1 Cat
Pet Breed: Pug/Shepherd mix (male) and short-haired ginger (female)
From: Toronto, Canada
To: Dubai, UAE

Hello,

I am wondering if you move pets from Canada to Dubai. If so, how much of the process is taken care of by your company?

Thank you for your time,

Laura
 

Hi Laura,

Thanks for the question. Yes, we have moved several pets to Dubai and would be happy to assist you. For your information, here are the pet import requirements for the UAE. If you're interested in our door-to-door services, you're welcome to fill out our free quote form here.

To cut back on costs, some pet owners choose to handle parts of the move themselves (the pick-up and/or delivery, for example), but we can take care of as much of the process as you need. Pet owners pressed for time are often happy to hand over most, if not all, of the planning, but either way we're happy to help make your move as smooth as possible.

Please contact us if you have any questions. We hope to hear from you soon!

 


Pet Travel Question: Shipping Pets to Egypt

Monday, March 11, 2013 by Pet Travel Questions


Name: Randy
Number of Pets: Two
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Maltese and Shih Tzu
From: Wichita, KS, US
To: Cairo, Egypt

I need to know how to move my dogs from A to Z. What carrier will do it, what will they require, how much is will it cost, and what does Egypt need in they way of paperwork, implants, etc.

Regards,
Randy

 

Hi Randy,

Thanks for your inquiry, and you're in luck -- moving pets safely from point A to point B is our specialty. Here are the pet import requirements for Egypt. To prepare for the trip you'll need to have your dogs microchipped, vaccines will need to be updated, and you'll need an international health certificate.

Please take a look at this information and then let us know if you have any questions. Also, if you're interested in finding out more about our door-to-door services, you can fill out our free quote form and we'll get back to you with an estimate for your move.

Good luck with everything, and we hope to hear from you soon!

 


 

Pet Travel Questions: Bulldog Air Travel

Wednesday, February 27, 2013 by Pet Travel Questions

Name: Betty
Number of Pets: Two
Pet Type: Dogs
Pet Breed: Bulldog, Mixed Breed
From: Charlottesville, VA, USA
To: Auckland, NZ

I'm very worried about flying our Bulldog because of temperature extremes, etc. for the exceptionally long flights and layovers to New Zealand. Are there any options? Cruise ships? Please help!

Thanks,

Betty

 

Hi Betty,

Thanks for your questions, and please know that your concerns are totally understandable. Flying internationally with pets, particularly snub-nosed breeds, can be stressful, but starting the process early and doing some research will help ease your anxiety.

We've moved many Bulldogs long-distance, and there are a few important things to do to help the trip go well. First, talk to your vet and consider doing a full health-diagnostic on your dog to reveal any underlying issues. If you decide to proceed from there, choose a travel crate that's nice and big so as to promote good air flow, and be sure your dog is comfortable spending time in the crate (you may need to start training several weeks in advance of the trip). Another crucial element is the airline you choose. Be sure to go with a pet-friendly airline, one that has established pet policies and well-trained employees so that temperature issues do not come into play.

This is just a quick overview (here's another link with some smart pet travel tips), and we'd be happy to talk with you further. Feel free to give our office a call or fill out our free quote form if you're interested in finding out more about our services. Either way, we hope this helps and wish you a great trip!

 

Pet Travel Question: Pet Shipping to Kenya

Tuesday, February 26, 2013 by Pet Travel Questions

Name: Jaimie
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Labrador
From: USA Washington, DC
To: Nairobi, Kenya

I am just trying to find the most affordable and safest way to ship my dog to me in July 2013, or information about airlines that would allow her to fly as cargo with me.

Thank you,

Jaimie

 

Hi Jaimie,

Thanks for your question. Kenya isn't the most common place to move pets, but believe it or not we've done it a few times. Here is the story of a dog named Bear who we recently relocated there, as well as a rundown of the pet import requirements.

As far as airlines, we have used KLM to go to Kenya and would recommend checking out their services. They are a pet-friendly airline and we often use them for our international pet flights.

Please contact us if you have any more questions, and if you're interested in finding out more about our door-to-door services, please fill out our free quote form.

Thanks again, and we hope to hear from you soon!

Pet Travel Question: Importing Pets to Malaysia

Friday, February 22, 2013 by Pet Travel Questions

 

Name: Mark
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Mixed Breed
From: Sri Lanka
To: Sabah/Borneo, Malaysia

We have been looking at the pointers on this site, but admittedly it's all very confusing for me. We brought our dog from the UK to Sri Lanka in March 2012 and have been living here for the last 11 months. We now wish to leave Sri Lanka and relocate to Sabah in Borneo.

Can you please give me the timeframe that we need to apply in order to make the move without a hitch? Our dog is microchipped and has a European PETS Passport, does this make the process any simpler? Is there any reduction in quarantine period if we were to stay in mainland Malaysia for a period prior to going to Sabah?

We look forward to your response.

Thank you,

Mark

 

Hi Mark,

Thanks for your inquiry, we'd be happy to offer some information. It is a bit tricky to bring a pet to Sabah, but we've actually done it before and learned a lot. Here are the details of how it works to ship a pet to Sabah and Sarawak -- please take a look if you've yet to come across this post on our blog. Since you're coming from a Category 2 country there will be specific steps involved in order to observe Sabah's rabies-free status, and  yes, it is good that you already have a microchip.

Hopefully this is helpful, Mark! Please contact us if you have any more questions, and if you'd like an estimate for our services please fill out our free quote form.

Pet Travel Question: Shipping Pets to Taiwan

Monday, February 4, 2013 by Pet Travel Center Questions

 
Name: Maya
From: Toronto, Ontario
To: Taipei, Taiwan
Pets: Jack - mixed breed, 5 years old; Joe - mixed breed, 2 years old

I'm having a hard time getting the exact details and prices for moving my cats from Canada to Taiwan. What do I need to bring my cats with me, and how much is this going to cost? Would going with a professional pet relocation company be too extravagant and unnecessary (could I arrange everything myself)? Or would it really be worth the money and make things more convenient for me and the kitties? I'm aware there is a 21 day quarantine, and I'm not sure how my cats will deal with that (or how I will deal with it!).

Thanks,

Maya

 

Hi Maya,

Thanks for contacting us, these are great questions. First, here are the pet import requirements for Taiwan. The costs will depend on a few factors, but if you're interested in finding out an estimate for our services, you can fill out our free quote form.

Many people decide to handle their pet moves themselves, however it does require a fair amount of research and logistics planning. Leaving it to the experts indeed costs more, however many pet owners find that it's well worth it (especially when moving to a country with complicated requirements and/or a quarantine). We'd be happy to discuss your options further, and for reference here is an overview of why people often choose to hire professionals to help with pet moves.

Please contact us if you have any more questions, and good luck with your upcoming pet move!

News for Military Pet Owners: New Fees for Shipping Pets to Germany

Thursday, January 31, 2013 by Caitlin Moore

 

Beginning Feb. 1, many pets brought to Germany from outside of the European Union may be required to pay a new pet import fee.

Previously for military members, the EU fees applied towards making sure animals with rabies are not introduced to the country have been covered by Ramstein Air Force Base officials, but a new law requires that pet owners must pay the inspection fee themselves. According to Military.com News, the fee will apply for military pets entering Frankfurt International Airport (FRA), as well.

The fee will range from 35 Euro (about $47) to 55 Euro (about $74) depending on the airport and whether or not the pet is accompanied. The fee must be paid by credit card, and at this time FRA and Ramstein Air Base are the only airports slated to implement this change.

Service members moving to Germany with pets should take note of this news and contact the relevant German authorities with any questions. Please contact PetRelocation if you have any questions about moving pets to Germany or about pet travel in general.

 

photo by || UggBoy♥UggGirl || PHOTO || WORLD || TRAVEL ||'s via Flickr

Pet Travel Question: Shipping Pets to Canada

Monday, January 14, 2013 by Pet Travel Questions

Name: Laura
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Potcake
From: Nassau Bahamas
To: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

I am looking into moving my 2-year-old potcake (mutt) from the Bahamas where I am currently working to my home in Toronto, Ontario. Can you please tell what I need to do in order to start this process? Also, would you have any idea of what the cost of this might be?

Thanks so much for your help, I look forward to hearing from you.

Laura

 

Hi Laura,

Great questions, and we'd be happy to help! Take a look at the pet import requirements for Canada to get an idea of what you'll need to do to prepare for your dog's move to Toronto. Our door-to-door services generally start at around $2,000, but for a more accurate estimate you can fill out our free quote form here.

If your dog isn't currently crate-trained you will want to start working on that, as well. Hopefully this helps to start you off on the right foot, Laura. We look forward to hearing back from you soon!
 

Pet Travel Question: Returning to the United States with Dogs

Tuesday, January 8, 2013 by Pet Travel Questions

Name: DaNeil
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Dachshund/ Jack Russell cross
From: Lakenheath, Suffollk, England
To: St Louis, Missouri, U.S.A.

I plan on moving back to the States later on in the year and I want to take my dog with me. I have no idea of how to go about it. Any information you can give me, including an approximate cost, would be appreciated. Thank you,

DaNeil

 

Hi DaNeil,

Shipping dogs to the United States requires a bit of preparation, but ultimately it's not as complicated a process as going to many other countries would be. You'll need to follow a few basic procedures (here are the full pet import requirements for the United States), book a flight with a pet-friendly airline, and buy an airline-approved travel crate if you don't already have one.

Many pet owners choose to enlist help with arranging all of this, and if you're interested in our services we'd be happy to offer a price estimate. We look forward to hearing from you!

 

Pet Travel Lessons: 10 Things We Learned About Pet Travel in 2012

Monday, December 31, 2012 by Caitlin Moore

 

Can you believe that 2012 is almost over? As the new year approaches it's natural to reflect on the events of the last few months, lingering on the highlights and also calculating what lessons have been learned.

The world of pet travel has certainly offered plenty of opportunities for better understanding and growth, as things are always moving and changing.

Read on to find some of the top stories from our year—they should come in handy for pet travelers moving forward into 2013.

 

1. Pet safety Tips Inspired by Hurricane Sandy

 

2. Seeking Safety in the Skies: How to Minimize the Risks of Pet Travel

 

3. The PetRelocation.com Third Annual Summer Pet Travel Survey

 

4. Don't Rush It: Why It's Smart to Allow at least 30 Days to Plan a Pet Move

 

5. How to Mentally Prepare for Pet Travel: Be Flexible

 

6. Quick Tips for Safe Summer Pet Shipping

 

7. Seeking Help with a Pet Move: The Top Reasons People Hire Pet Transport Services

 

8. How to Prepare for an International Pet Move: Official USDA Information

 

9. The Five Most Frequently Asked Pet Travel Questions

 

10. Relocating Pets in a Digital World: Making Good Use of Social Media

 

 

Pet Relocation Spotlight: A Poodle Rescue Story

Thursday, November 8, 2012 by Caitlin Moore

 

Most of the time our Pet Relocation Specialists are working hard to help individual families bring their pets along when they have to move, but sometimes larger organizations find themselves interested in our pet relocation services, too.

Recently we were contacted by Cindy Crawley, president of the Poodle Club of America Rescue Foundation and founder and president of the Mid-Atlantic Poodle Rescue, about an urgent situation. Over two dozen puppy and adult Poodles were found living in terrible conditions in Washington, and after being rescued and temporarily cared for by the Forget Me Not Animal Shelter, it was time to place them in their forever homes.

Cindy contacted us to see if we could help get the dogs from Washington to Las Vegas and Phoenix where they would be adopted, and we were happy to have the chance to be hired for such a noble cause. Read on as Cindy answers a few questions about what she does -- and what we can do ourselves -- when it comes to helping animals in need.

 

How did you first become involved in animal rescue? 

I was recruited to Poodle Club of America Rescue Foundation in 2007 to help the founding president, Sally Poindexter, with administrative work. I had never had anything to do with dog rescue prior to this. I had belonged to the local Poodle Club in Maryland where I live, but the Club really did not do much rescue work at all. I quickly realized that if I was going to gain the respect and trust of the Poodle Rescue community, I was going to have to start doing hands’ on rescue work myself. It has all fallen into place for me since then!

 



 

How did this particular Poodle rescue come about? 

The Poodle world is not very big, especially from a rescue standpoint. We sort of know where the breeders are and who may be in trouble -- not 100% of course, but it is not often that we are surprised when problems arise. Almost one year ago, I offered help to an individual in Washington. I had been informed by mutual friends that this person was having a hard time financially and possibly had too many dogs, so I had five Standard Poodles transported from Washington to Maryland to relieve her of this burden. 

I had pretty direct conversations with this individual and told them that Rescue is not a puppy broker for people who breed too much and cannot sell their puppies, and we are not a dumping ground for people’s broken-down breeding dogs. I checked in with this person over the past year and was told in no uncertain terms that no more help was needed. Imagine my surprise and disappointment when I discovered that this person was preparing to ship an older stud dog out to a property across the country. When I was not able to get a satisfactory answer to questions about the purpose of acquiring a stud dog, a wellness check was done on the property by local animal control. The animal control officers who saw the situation in which the Poodles were living immediately went back to town and got a search warrant and decree for seizure. It was that bad.

 


What is the most challenging part about what you do? 

We must fundraise constantly. Money is needed primarily for vet work and transportation. Poodles (for better or worse) have been among the top 10 breeds in the American Kennel Club for many decades.  There is a lot of indiscriminate breeding that goes on in people’s backyards in what are basically puppy mills. We try very hard to educate people searching for a Poodle to find the best breeder, one who cares about their dogs and insists on spay and neuter contracts for their pets.  

 


What’s the best way for people to get involved in helping animals in need? 

If people want a hands’ on experience, any Poodle Club of America Rescue organization would welcome help from the public, as would most local humane societies or SPCA’s. Poodle rescue organizations are always in need of foster homes. We need people to drive dogs from place to place.  If people cannot do hands’ on work, donating to a reputable rescue group is another way to help. Reputable rescue groups are 501c3 not for profit. The new social media has been a real benefit to rescue organizations, as information can be shared in a pretty timely way.

Do you have pets of your own? 

Like many members of Poodle Club of America Rescue, I also breed Poodles. We believe that as breeders, it is our obligation to rescue. We love the breed. We are here for them in their time of need. I breed and show Standard Poodles under the Beauciel prefix. I am very proud to say I have a homebred Best in Show winner.  
 

--

Thanks to Cindy for sharing this story with us! We helped move 10 adults and 12 puppy Poodles earlier this week, and it sounds like all are adjusting well.

Keep up with the Forget Me Not Shelter blog to find out how everyone is doing, like them on Facebook, and if you'd like to make a donation to help cover the costs of this endeavor, scroll to the bottom of this page.

Pet Move Customer Story: Three Dogs to Thailand

Monday, November 5, 2012 by PetRelocation.com Customer


Name: Mike
Pets' Names: Cash/Money/Bank
From: San Francisco, CA
To: Bangkok, Thailand

I was left with the difficult challenge of shipping my friends' three dogs to Bangkok (Thailand) from San Francisco (USA).

I actually looked for several pet relocation services on the web and attempted to contact five. The same day I submitted my request to PetRelocation.com, I received a phone call from one of their representatives.

I explained my situation, and they got me in touch with their international pet shipping specialist Scotty.

I was given an estimated ship date of 30 days from the submission of my materials and they stood by their deadline! Of course there were things I had to do (vet checks/documents/buying supplies/etc) but Scotty helped me through every single thing! I am extremely detail-oriented myself, and Scotty was very accommodating and was available by phone through every step of the process.

It turns out shipping a pet is not such a terrible task as long as you have guys like Scotty as well as the rest of the team at Petrelocation.com backing you up. In the rare situation that I need to ship more animals overseas, these guys will be the first people I contact!