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Living overseas

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*Expectant*: please help, I have a cat question (UK-Singapore)

14 replies

Alexa808 · 22/05/2008 02:03

Hello you,

sorry but read your answer on the guinea pig thread and am facing something you seem to have done already.

Les pussies are in the UK, 2 Maine Coons (1 and 8 months, boy and girl).

I have applied for a passport for them and the vaccinations are done and confirmed. I now need to fill out the Singapore authority papers.

But how on earth am I going to get them over here? The boy has motion sickness whenever I drive (I swear it's nothing to do with my driving) and is a very sensitive cat and shits himself (sorry TMI) when scared in a cage. The girl really dislikes her cage and keeps sticking its paw out, begging to be released. I feel so sad for dragging them through this but I refuse to leave them in the Uk as we have no family there and they'd have to go back to the breeder.

I miss them and want to make their travels as easy as poss for them. What are my options? The doctor hasn't been saying anything at all.

Which airline will take them? Do they have to be in the cold downstairs or can they fly in cabin? (Dreams, yes I know). Any help is welcome.

Thanks so much!

OP posts:
Alexa808 · 22/05/2008 02:09

1 yr and 8 mths, sry

OP posts:
egypt · 22/05/2008 05:09

hi Alexa

Sorry I can't help but couldn't ignore this. Hope someone will be able to soon x

Expectant · 23/05/2008 11:21

Hi Alexa,

Sorry only just seen the post....

We used a Company called Pet Air UK www dot petairuk dot com to transport the cats over. They were very helpful and their team of vets answered all my stupid questions. Don't feel bad about it I'm sure they'll be happier with you in the long run. I pretty much told DH that if it wasn't possible for us to take the cats we wouldn't be going to Singapore (don't know what would have actually happened if we hadn't been able to manage it). You can do it yourself but as we were travelling in advance of the cats it wasn't really viable.

They did all the Singapore paperwork for us and also provided the crates/cages for us. The cages have to be approved by the airline and were 'made to measure' as one of our cats is much larger than the other. We have 2 cats both 6 years old (brother and sister). The female also hated going in the car but the male would tend to fall asleep eventually. All I can say is that they were really fine when we got them out the other end. The female cried really loudly at us but calmed down once out of the cage. Neither of them had done either a pee or a poo and went cross-eyed when they finally got to a litter tray

Vets won't sedate them. Our vet recommended giving them bach herbal remedy (she'd done a course in pet aromatherapy). DH and I also slept in an old t-shirt each for about a week beforehand and put these in the bottom of the crates so that they can smell you. They should be given water to drink throughout the flight but not food (in case they poo). One kind lady on the expat website suggested that we freeze sponges so that water didn't spill everywhere but the cats could still drink. We didn't do this because the water dispensers that were attached to the cages we were given were fine.

We did pick them up from the cargo terminal and we had then to take them to the AVI for a check on their micorchips (you need these if you haven't already got them done) and general health. This took all of about 5 minutes as they were fine. All the documents for the import licence came with the cats (attached to the crates) we just had to hand them over. Then we went to the Cutsoms Dept. They were great and told us not to put too high a value on them or we'd have to pay import duty (they're priceless to me but for form filling sake it doesn't matter). This did take us a bit of time and afterwards I realised that PetAir would have arranged this for GBP50 for us (probably worth it with hindsight but we got to see them earlier).

I think they can fly in the cabin but this is not advisable for obvious reasons. No they don't go in the cold - they are in a separate part of the hold that is presurised and warm (same as the passenger bit). Most airlines will take them (ours were actually on the BA Passenger Flight that was the same time we were on only the day afterwards). Some might make you pay more if you want them to go when there are no other animals (i.e. dogs that might scare them).

It was quite expensive (pretty much the price of an economy ticket each) but worth it. They have adapted well to life here despite the fact they are indoor cats now as we live on a high-ish floor.

Sorry it's a bit of a long and rambling post but hope it helps. My e-mail is Alison_Watson_377@hotmail dot com if you want to get in touch and I can try to help you a bit more.

Expectant · 23/05/2008 11:22

Hi don't think that e-mail is right should be Alison underscore Watson underscore [email protected]

Alexa808 · 27/05/2008 16:09

Hello Expectant, I tried to email you but it bounced right back....

Mine is: auric @ gmx dot net

Thanks so much for your great description. I fear I need all the help I can get. My flight has now been delayed and I soooo miss the little buggers.

OP posts:
Pinkjenny · 27/05/2008 16:10

Alexa - I love seeing posts from you, my dd's name is Alexa. Makes me go all gooey while I'm in work.

barbara3 · 27/05/2008 20:26

This is aside - sorry - I read the post as I will be going through this process sometime soon but with 2 siamese darlings - help for everyone else on the flight. I am writing because I am curious about the maine coon breed because my cousin is seriously thinking about looking after one. I have only ever kept siamese - ever since I rescued one when I was 5 and again when I was 8 and again when I was 24 and now I care for 2 little priveledged dears who I finally got from a breeder when I was pg. What is the maine coon temperament and how hard is it to keep their coats glossy - I have to say they look spectacularly beautiful.

Expectant · 28/05/2008 07:03

Hi again. I tried to e-mail before but think you had forgotten your password? I'll try again and see if it gets through this time! I'd leave my number but although I trust the MNetters I'm not so sure about everyone else!

Alexa808 · 28/05/2008 07:47

Hello pinkjenny, yes 'tis a lovely name. Good for your dd. I like Alexas very much

Have found PW. Will check acc now. Thanks expectant!

Barbara, my little ones are absolutely adorable. I've uploaded pics on MN in my profile now. They are very self sufficient cats, very moderate temperament and mix very well with other humans (esp. children) and adapt well to changes. They are house cats and should be kept indoors. Their fur is long and silky and their tails look like those of a fox. They don't miaow, but make a noise that sounds more like ma, ma. They also trill when they call you or each other. It's a really high sound, quite hilarious given that they grow quite big.

Since they grow for 4 years and can be quite big they're not lap cats and don't actually enjoy being dragged around and picked up. Prostestations in the sound of ma, ma, ma follow and a bit of wriggling. Neither of ours are hissy or aggressive. Again, they are not territorial but sometimes bond with 1 person in the household more than with the others.

They are curious and love to 'help', i.e. watch you unpack, wrap gifts, dress and cook. They prefer to be near you and will follow you around, but do not like being pulled on the lap or held in ones arms.

They are very nifty with their paws and once they know how, they can open light shelf doors, etc. They enjoy playing with water but don't like getting wet.

Their coats are fairly low maintenance but you shouldn't let them go out or they pick up all sorts. Brush them once a week, or twice. Don't let them get mats or you'll have to shear it off...[ouch].

They should have special food, high quality stuff, the green Maine Coon dry food is excellent. We give them twice daily dry and lunch wet pouches. So the poo is thick. Sry, TMI. They need big crates for toilets and prefer 2, one for each cat.

Maine Coons are best acquired in pairs. They love company. They are not as nosy and rauceous as Burmese and do not have Pica (wool eating, etc.) I have a girl and a boy that are step-siblings.

Any q's, just ask. x

OP posts:
barbara3 · 28/05/2008 11:24

Thank you - oh my word they are stunning cats!! what are their names??
I will pass all that very encouraging info on to my cousin - especially the pairs bit. They sound adorable... I must admitI love all breeds but my cats do get pica as does my friends abbysinian and bengal funnily enough!! so you are lucky to miss that - their temprament sounds similar in some ways to siamese with attaching themselves to one person and being so cunning and playful - but with a very different noise!! good luck with the trip!!

Alexa808 · 28/05/2008 15:36

Thanks a lot B!

Mr. Mao and Suzy Wong

They are really good cats and get along so well with all sorts. They are patient with kids and neither of them hisses or scratches.

They growl when they had to have a light bath: the small one went up inside the fire place and the big one rolled around in the charcoal...lovely...NOT.

I wish I had my cats' lives....

OP posts:
barbara3 · 28/05/2008 15:51

Theres a lot to be said for well breed cats - mine are so fab with the kids too. They really dont know what their claws are for and their temprament is amazing. I hear all these stories from other people but I have not had any bother. My girl mia goes into proper mommy mode and she does the job better than I do when there are babies around!!

Well I can safely guess my cousin will be getting some lil maine coons in the future - hoorah cant wait to visit them - although it will also mean a trip to oz - damn!! And the maine coone kittens are so adorable.

I wish I had my cats life and lives all the time - so know what you are talking about there!!

Expectant · 29/05/2008 06:25

Hoping to come back as a well looked after cat in the next life

barbara3 · 29/05/2008 10:36

me too - I would be sun bathing right now if i had their lives!!! heaven!!

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