Moving to the UK with a cat. Here’s my plan - did I miss anything????
Posted by autistic-kirby@reddit | expats | View on Reddit | 18 comments
I’m moving to the UK from Canada (Vancouver) in a few months with an anxious cat and the UK doesn’t allow pets in cabin (what the hell is up with that?!) I’ve listed my plan below but it seems SO COMPLICATED and I could really use some advice from people who have done the same: is there an easier way to do this? Do you recommend I stay the night in my first stop? Did your cat handle the plane ok? TYTY
Any words of encouragement are also welcome. but also if it’s going to be a shit show please tell me I prefer to know how to avoid/deal with these things 🥲
FLIGHTS, TRAINS, FERRIES:
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9.5hrs direct from YVR to Amsterdam • Bringing health certificate and owner declaration to enter Netherlands HC will be done a few days before flight
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1hr train from Amsterdam to Rotterdam • * train pet rules- your experience?*
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11hr ferry from Rotterdam to Hull • Health certificate to enter UK
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1-5hr train from Hull to wherever I end up
Total hours: 27 Total cost estimate: 2,580
DID I MISS ANYTHING? IS THERE AN EASIER WAY? WILL IT COST MORE?
For those curious my cat will be on anxiety medication for the duration of the flight and all transport.
Meow2107@reddit
Hi OP! What did you end up doing? And which exact paperwork did they check to enter Netherlands and to enter UK?
MouseComfortable986@reddit
We moved our cat from Toronto to London last year and I swear the paperwork and planning was harder than the actual travel. The biggest headache for us was making sure all the health documents matched exactly what the UK border agents expect, even one wrong date can mean they quarantine your pet. We also had to juggle connecting transport that actually allows pets, which was tricky since some trains have unspoken no animals rules during busy hours. What saved us a lot of stress was using a pet relocation service that handled the airline booking, customs paperwork and checked all the route restrictions in advance. You can get a feel for how it works by looking at this company, even if you don’t book their process checklist is super useful.
Babysfirstbazooka@reddit
Fly to Paris, pet taxi to the UK. We used Friends on the Road - Chloe is amazing. We did the opposite journey last year but it was with our dog and it was into NY as we wanted him with us in cabin. FYI there is no budget friendly way to do this. You need to make sure you have the tapeworm requirements met before entering the UK. Passpets UK can help, we didnt use them but they gave me all info needed for entry paperwork.
autistic-kirby@reddit (OP)
Thank you!! I’m going to look into all of this. From what I was looking up the tapeworm deworming requirement is for dog only? I recently dewormed my cat a few months ago and do it yearly cuz he does go outside sometimes but I’m still confused if tapeworm deworming is for cat too or just dogs. 😵💫
Thenaughtyslav@reddit
Depending where you end up in the UK, a ferry from the hook of Holland to Harwich in Essex is also an option. It takes 6.5 hours I think?
autistic-kirby@reddit (OP)
omg you are a godsend. Thank you!! I just checked everything and this saves me SO MUCH hassle and the Bolt/Uber would cost almost as much to go from Amsterdam airport to hook of holland as the train to Rotterdam
Thenaughtyslav@reddit
Aw you’re so welcome! 🫂 I’ve not taken the ferry myself (yet) but when we were looking at it before they do have cabins you can get and have your pet with you so you’re both comfortable and your kitty can roam and be cuddled. I’m moving to harwich soon so if you need anything when you get there just give me a shout - I grew up in Canada and have two cats of my own 🐈⬛ wishing you the best of luck! ❤️
UnderstandingLoud317@reddit
Why not stay overnight in Amsterdam before starting the next part of the journey. 27 hours in a carrier is too long. I would break it up.
Celebration_Dapper@reddit
FWIW, there are pet transport outfits that specialize in picking up the pet (and owner) in Paris and then driving them via Le Shuttle to the UK. They can also ensure that the paperwork is correct. They're easy to find online (they frequently advertise on Instagram). Pro tip: in the paperwork, make sure that the rabies vaccine is identified by product name as well as manufacturer. The absence of the product name is the most frequent cause of pets being held up at Heathrow's animal centre when everything else appears to be in order. Good luck on the move, OP!
godless-wife@reddit
As long as your cat is in a carrier on the train, there's nothing else to consider in the Netherlands. Carrier isn't even a requirement, more a recommendation. You could also take the train to France and then through the tunnel and skip the ferry, might tentatively have fewer stops and be easier on the cat.
pageantfool@reddit
Eurostar doesn't allow pets unfortunately, only service dogs.
godless-wife@reddit
Oh good to know, thanks!
Mustardly@reddit
The cat can go in the hold. They have a temperature controlled space for them. Please bear in mind there is a ton of import stuff to do as the UK is rabies free. Start at least 8 months ahead of time.
If the paperwork is a lot, then get an experienced pet shipper to help you - I've always found a good one to be worth the money.
yellowfourteen@reddit
I second the import company suggestion. They take care of everything and they do this everyday (my experience: Canada -> UK with a dog). Worth every penny for the peace of mind.
autistic-kirby@reddit (OP)
My main concern isn’t him being able to look at me the whole time but more the safety of being in the hold. Some pets get lost or overheat from stress. As I mention he’s a highly anxious cat that gets tremors just from being left alone at home sometimes. The hold is not an option in this case
Mustardly@reddit
That will also massively cut down the amount of time and movement for the cat. Personally, I find that more important than it seeing you the whole time.
Millennial_Snowbird@reddit
Flying to Amsterdam is a good choice and for sure bring your cat in the cabin. I’ve flown cats in the cabin from the US to Amsterdam, A’dam to Canada, and Canada to Florida and back twice. Check out r/CatAdvice for travel tips.
autistic-kirby@reddit (OP)
Thank you! I’ve reshared this in the cat advice subreddit