Moving my cat from Greece to the UK Has anyone done this? Will I be able to take him with me ?
Posted by angelinakoz@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 36 comments
Hi everyone,
I’m planning to move from Greece to the UK for a year for a masters and I want to bring my cat with me (or else he will stay with my family).I’d really appreciate hearing from people who have actually done it.
Do I have to go through a specific process? How difficult is it?
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wardyms@reddit
Pets in rented accommodation are not automatically accepted. This could provide a real unnecessary headache.
Silvagadron@reddit
You can’t just bring animals from abroad straight over; they will have to stay in quarantine for at least a few weeks first, and that’s if all their paperwork has been sent over and all their vaccines and other medical documentation is present and correct. It will potentially be very stressful for the cat and I’ve heard many anecdotes from pet owners who said their pets were never the same again with their owners after emigrating. Think really hard about it and make sure it’s the right thing for the cat as well.
Also, if you do decide to commit to it, plenty of landlords do allow pets. When I rented, we asked the landlord and he said yes. Actually the managing agent vouched for us and convinced the landlord to agree. Legislation is imminently coming into effect which will make it easier for renters too.
Capt_Capital@reddit
recently moved my cat from Bulgaria to the UK. if you get an EU pet passport, microchip and the relevant vaccinations/inspections from the vet you won't have any issues.
you can't fly straight into the UK with animals on the usual European airlines. your best chances are going to France or Netherlands and getting a ferry to the UK. personally I used a local pet transport company that drove him from my old address in Bulgaria to the UK in under 2 days for \~£300.
CompleteWhittle@reddit
Can I advocate for the cats actual welfare here? s this a necessary journey for a cat to make? You're only going for a year, wouldn't your cat be happier to stay where it is? I get that you will miss it but really, cats are not dogs, they don't travel long journey's happily and will suffer stress.
Think about it....injections, being put in a box for hours on end. It could end up crying for hours, making you upset as well as all other passengers.
Do the right thing for what is essentially a wild animal and leave it in its familiar surroundings where it feels safe and secure and forget about how much you'll miss it - if you really love it and all.
angelinakoz@reddit (OP)
The problem is that I don’t know if it’s going to be only for a year as I am planning to move permanently
Proper_North_5382@reddit
Can you not just leave your cat for a year with your family and once you actually know where you end up you can get your cat over.
Just speaking as a fellow cat owner of a really anxious cat in a carrier, I wouldn't want my own cat to go through the trouble of going in a car or plane twice if I had to leave after my masters.
angelinakoz@reddit (OP)
This is a strong possibility for me but I’m really worried about my cat. He has some issues and needs specific care so I don’t feel comfortable leaving him with anyone else.
Even though my parents love him they’re not as careful as they should be. They often leave doors and windows open, and I’m scared he could run out at any moment. They also don’t really understand how important his routine is, like cleaning his bowls twice a day and changing his water regularly. To them, it feels like too much.
Because of this I feel like the best and safest option is for him to stay with me, so I know he’s getting the care he needs. I understand that I might not be able to take him with me at the beginning but it’s definitely my goal in the long term.
Hamsternoir@reddit
Has anyone moved your cat from Greece to the UK for you before?
No idea.
I'll get my coat
angelinakoz@reddit (OP)
U got the question no need to be mean
DECKTHEBALLZ@reddit
Leave him at home 99% of landlords don't allow pets.
angelinakoz@reddit (OP)
don’t you think I’ll be able to find a small place ? I mean a lot of people seem to have cats while living in rentals
DECKTHEBALLZ@reddit
Not in the UK especially near London.. leave him with family it is only a year.
BeardedBaldMan@reddit
No.
Not in the UK they don't and certainly not as foreign students
Tiny_Cauliflower_618@reddit
Yeah, long term rentals, it's possible to have pets, as long as you're not too picky and you pay through the nose upfront. Student accommodation? Not happening.
angelinakoz@reddit (OP)
I am not planning to stay in student accommodation
Tiny_Cauliflower_618@reddit
Have you got somewhere specific to stay organised? I'd also contact your University and ask their advice. If you've got a ton of cash to throw at the problem, it's going to go away. If you're a normal student, you may have issues finding a pet let in a specific area for a very specific length of time.
I've been letting in the UK with cats for 20 years - it's not impossible, but it's certainly not easy, especially for random short lets.
Matchaparrot@reddit
Really depends on which city you'll be moving to.
What uni are you going to? Or what region of the UK?
angelinakoz@reddit (OP)
Probably Reading
Matchaparrot@reddit
No chance you'll get a pet friendly rental in Reading or anywhere near London, sorry.
It's bad enough trying to find a pet friendly rental in the north of the country where I am, the only people I know with pets in their flats have had their flat for years or decades, or own it outright.
beepickle@reddit
There's new legislation coming in regarding landlords and pets
palpatineforever@reddit
it isn't difficult as long as they are fully vaccinated etc.
It is usually easier to drive from france with the eurostar as cats are not allowed in the cabin of planes in the UK and have to go in the cargo.
That said it can be very difficult to get decent rental when you have a cat. Unless you want to spend more money.
angelinakoz@reddit (OP)
I heard that some airports allow them to fly in the cabin and then pass through
Dasy2k1@reddit
The UK aviation regulator prohibits all animals from traveling in the cabin other than assistance dogs unfortunately. So even pet freindly airlines are not allowed to be so on routes to the UK
DeapVally@reddit
A handful allow flying out of the UK in the cabin, KLM for sure. None allow flying in. They would need to be in the hold. Which limits the kind of aircraft you can fly in on.
BeardedBaldMan@reddit
Not into the UK. The link I listed makes all of this very clear, read it.
Satansrideordie@reddit
I took my dog in cabin from Spain to Paris then got the euro tunnel into London, I don’t think England allows pets to fly in cabin, I did hear when I was planning my move back that you could also fly into Ireland then get a ferry back
angelinakoz@reddit (OP)
That’s what I will probably do
BeardedBaldMan@reddit
It's not terrible but in theory your cat could spend four months in quarantine at your expense
angelinakoz@reddit (OP)
Yep read it I will probably try and bring him with the Eurostar or else he will stay with my family
Dasy2k1@reddit
Eurostar does not allow animals other than guide dogs
However if you drive you can take cats on le shuttle or most ferries (they stay in your car on the ferry)
downlau@reddit
Eurostar don't allow animals on the cross channel trains unfortunately. You can take animals on Le Shuttle or on (some) ferries.
Far_Call2993@reddit
If you're only coming for a master then just leave him with family. It's a headache to find accommodation with a pet, even more so as a student, because student housing doesn't allow it.
festering_wound93@reddit
You need to look into the entry requirements for the UK which are available if you Google animal health certificate greece to UK. I see a lot of people saying you won't get a rental - not true, I got one this year with 2 cats, and from May landlords cannot refuse pets unless they have a legitimate reason. Your cat will definitely need to be up to date with rabies!
jimicus@reddit
The UK recognises EU pet passports. Get that, and it's pretty straightforward.
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