Pet Move of the Month: Jack and Alley’s Move to the Dominican Republic
Congratulations to Jack and Alley on being named our May Pet Move of the Month! This dog and cat duo recently made a big move from Chicago to the Dominican Republic, and their owners Kerri and Vinny were kind enough to answer a few questions for us about how the pet move went and how they're all doing now in their new home.
Is this the first time you've ever moved your pets?
It's the first international move. Jack and Alley moved from Chatham, NJ to Chicago, IL several years ago. Jack was born in North Carolina and moved to Connecticut prior to NJ, so he is a pretty seasoned traveler. This was their first plane ride and longest move.
What were some of your concerns going into the move?
We really worried about both pets flying for the first time. We read all the horror stories about pets being lost or becoming ill (or worse) because of issues on the plane or while waiting on a runway. Plus there are no direct flights to Santo Domingo from Chicago, so we worried about the pets making a connection.
Did anything surprise you about the international pet moving process?
It's a very detailed and difficult process to understand. The country requirements are all different, and our local vet was little help at all. We didn't really have a good idea of what was required and how we would make sure we had done everything correctly. I knew early on that I couldn't do it myself. I needed help from people who do it for a living.
How are Jack and Alley adjusting to the Dominican Republic?
Jack and Alley are doing fine. Just like people, the pets have had to adjust to the new environment. Alley has had a tougher time with the weather. She would prefer it a bit cooler and has had a few skin issues that are finally under control.
What is life like in the Dominican Republic? Is it a pet-friendly place to be?
Alley is a bit of a celebrity in our neighborhood. She is one of very few Golden Retrievers we have seen in the Dominican Republic. Everyone takes notice of her and she makes most people smile when they see her. We have been lucky enough to visit a few of the beautiful resorts here in the DR. Alley has enjoyed our trips and loves swimming in the ocean. Jack likes the fact that we live on the 12th floor and he has a perfect view of the Caribbean Sea from our balcony. Both pets are adjusting well and are as happy as ever.
What advice do you have for people who might be planning a move?
Use pet relocation professionals. This is not something you should try to do on your own. We had a lot of anxiety about moving our pets and working with a professional made it much easier. We still worried about them, but not as much.
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Thanks to Kerri, Vinny, Jack and Alley for sharing this move with us. Enjoy the Dominican Republic, and keep in touch!