Moving pet yourself vs. professional exporter/importer

[Patric]

PS, i meant to add that it is probably easier to arrange everything before you leave Canada and once you are here have him/her flown over to you. The crates are standard, a few large chews (not easily swallowed whole) for boredom and it will have a water container and a blanket, but thick newspaper is better and less dangerous, even it is shredded by the time it arrives, no harm done. All animals fly as manifest cargo and the airport handlers look after the water needs etc. before they leave. Make sure who ever takes it to the airport also makes sure it has had its last poop for the day and doesn't give it another meal before it leaves, this way it will also arrive smelling fresh as a daisy and not covered in yesterdays lunch.

[goleoboy]

to get your documents the one-over (per previous poster), email scans of all your docs to; [email protected]

The contact person there is very helpful via email or you can call (852) 2182 1002 (Mon-Fri: 09:00-13:00 and 14:00-17:30).

His name is: WU Ho-wan Field Officer AFCD

[Patric]

Yes, and also the import license is valid for a full six months and only cost 400+ HK$, so its that plus flight plus vet work your end, I can't remember but there is also a small fee for the Vet this end after it arrives.

I am interested to know what a pet relocation agency is offering, because I cannot see where that money is being spent. Usually they make it sound like if you didn't use them your dog could end up in quarantine etc. But as mentioned before the paper work is very basic and you get it screened by the department before the dog leaves so there is in fact no real possibility that things can go wrong on that level. You can fax the papers or e-mail, and from wherever to be screened. They prefer you use their forms and not the ones from your state vet, these they can fax to you as well. It goes without saying that an extremely high level of English is spoken in the department and there are no hidden costs involved.

Where agencies might be useful is if you are not here yet and you want the dog here before you, then they will pick it up from the airport and put it into a kennel for you until your arrival etc. Also a very straight forward process. But you could probably just arrange a pick up with the kennel concerned.

On arrival at the airport the local state vet will go through the papers give the dog a booster rabies shot (obligatory for group 2 countries) and check the micro chip, if it is not correct they will put in another one, so make sure that its the type they want when its done at home, even if it already has one. Then its all yours to take home.

[goleoboy]

note the chip must be the AVID kind. We got a different kind of chip (Home Again) in the states before we headed over here and the poor doggies needed to be re-chipped at the airport - not the best thing after an 18hr flight...(p.s. on the form it makes it sound like you can chip AVID or 'other compatible' - but in reality, it must be avid...)

[NickyC]

Hi

I agree with Goleoboy. My two dogs ended up being microchipped again on arrival in HK. We shipped them through a UK based relocation company, but chose to collect our dogs in person from the terminal.

If you are doing this I have a warning for you. Go to the airport prepared with water and bowl, kitchen roll,wet wipes and in a mood to take no crap from the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.

Be very aware of heatstroke issues. When I collected my dogs I was absolutely horrified at the dismissive, and from my point of view, unacceptable treatment of my two dogs. They had been transported from the plane into the cargo depot and were left in an un-airconditioned area for an hour until the paperwork had been cleared, it was 32C and 90% humidity. When the dogs finally got to me they were obviously suffering from heatstroke. The clerk dealing with us took no notice of the dogs obvious distress, and it took my husband threatening to call the Police and SPCA until they were moved into an air-conditioned area. As you can imagine we were livid

We took the dogs straight to the vets, and he told us that two dogs had died the previous week due to identical circumstances. I don't want to scare you, but be prepared to voice your concerns upon collecting your beloved pet.

On the upside, both dogs have adjusted well and are enjoying the new experience of surfing on my living room rugs from one end of the room to the other.

If you are looking for a quality dried dog food, I can recommend Burns (additive free, no GM ingredients, holistic food). It's produced and shipped from Kidwelly, UK. I have it delivered from Doggeteer in Mid-Levels www.the-doggeteer.com

Nick