Relocating cats

[Niceandcosy]

We are moving to Turkey with our two cats. I am just wondering if anyone has relocated with cats to Turkey or elsewhere and whether you have used a pet relocation company or taken them as excess baggage? We are unsure what to do. I know it is controversial moving to Turkey and moving with cats but we are happy to be going to the part of Turkey we are going to and feel that taking the cats is our best option. They are around 6 years old. Believed to be siblings in good health and the vet has told us cats generally travel well. There is no one local to us we could leave them with and our home in Turkey is extremely cat friendly. (big house, v little traffic etc). İt will cost around £3000 to use a relocation company and a few hundred as excess baggage. Our concerns with the excess baggage are firstly that they could be denied access to the flight or that they may be more comfortable in the livestock hold. Obviously there is a big price difference however and it seems the baggage option may be quicker upon arrival. Thanks for any advice!

[allchangenochange]

We relocated our cat who is 12 to the US using a pet carrier agent. It was smooth and hassle free. Cat settled fine.

[Niceandcosy]

Thanks, good to know they can settle well 😀

[macshoto]

We took two to Japan using the excess baggage approach. All worked out fine - indeed the cats came through customs faster than now DW was through immigration. Was an entertaining experience checking them in at a UK regional airport on New Year's morning - but now DW had done all the research and was able to guide the check-in staff!

Coming back from Japan, with the one remaining elderly cat, we had to use an agent (something to do with a change in the rules at Heathrow).

Biggest difference was the cost - two cats out as excess baggage was about the same as an economy fare. One cat back using handling agents both ends was nearer to a business class fare.

The cats had no problem with the travel.

[MrsSchadenfreude]

Which pet relocation agents did you use?

[macshoto]

At the Japan end it was Mutsui Soko Air Cargo Inc. I am not sure who the UK handling agent was who did customs clearance and delivery at the UK end.

[macshoto]

We found the local firm to be less than half the price of firms who advertised to the expat market - presumably assuming that my employer was picking up the tab (which wasn't the case, unfortunately).

[Sunshinedaze]

We are relocating our cats to OZ this year and are using Pet Air as they are the only company run by vets. I want my furbabies to arrive as safely as possible.

[allchangenochange]

We have used world pet care twice and have found them excellent both times.

[MayLeaveADentInYourSofa]

I have relocated cats long haul twice. The cats coped extremely well.

I am sure they will love their new home in Turkey and will not be traumatised at all by the journey. Good luck.