[dacamoba]

Hi,

This is the first time I have posted on the forum, but I regularly looked on here to help make decisions before we moved to NZ. We arrived in Christchurch on 30th May, but unfortunately our cats are still in the UK.

I can't write down the full story at the moment as I want to wait until my cats have arrived safely (in a few weeks) and there are other ongoing issues but I wanted to warn people about Airsupply Shipping. Please, if you are considering a shipper do not use them, especially if you are planning on using their cattery before the flight.

As soon as I can, I will write down what's happened (its a long story!). Sorry to be so cryptic, but I wanted to prewarn you all so that other cats don't go through the same as what mine have.

On a lighter note, Sumner is really nice and we've have a wonderful first week in NZ.

Regards
dacamoba

[Ana&Steve]

I really hope everything works out for your kitties, dacamoba.
Ana

[Milliemoo]

So sorry to hear that. This must be so stressfull for you.

{{{{{{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}}}}

Milliemoo

[dacamoba]

Thanks,

It really has been a difficult week, the cats had never been in a cattery so I wanted to minimise the stress to them but it hasn't quite worked out that way :(

[red]

I hope things work out, sorry to hear about your cats having a hard time. I'm transporting our cat when we move and am already stressing, so I really do appreciate you taking the time to give us details of your experience. It will certainly confirm my decision to use GA.


Hang in there! I'm sure things will be ok.

[dacamoba]

Hi,

Sorry I haven't been back to update. There is a possibility of legal action being taken so I don't want to write it on here yet.

Please use another company, I'm sorry I can't recommend one. If you have booked with Airsupply ensure you take your cats to the cattery (if you are using one) or if there is a problem and they don't fly get someone in the UK to check where they have been taken.

Regards
dacamoba

PS The cats arrived on 26th June and have settled in really well, they were just relieved to see us and love their new surroundings :clap

If anyone has any questions about sending cats, please feel free to contact me

[dilanium]

I'm glad you cats are with you and doing well.

Thanks for the warning.

I'm stressing as my cat will need to be quarantined when we get to NZ (as we're coming from the US), and I would like the minimize the stress put on him. I hadn't even thought about problems with shipping him.

-Liz

[srivett]

I'm glad they arrived safe and happy! And I hope the legal stuff gets sorted out soon and in your favour. That's definitely not what you paid them for. With luck, your post will save someone else the hassle.

dilanium, we're in the same position. The shippers seem decent so far, but it's impossible to know until they've actually shipped them, and by then it's too late to do anything. The cats are turning out to be the most complicated part of our move by far. The best we can do is do our research beforehand and make sure the paperwork is correct. The rest is hoping.

[maracuja]

dilanium and srivett,

where will you be quarantining your cats? and which shippers are you using? I have 2 that I'd be bringing with me if my NZ plans come together. I've seen some recommendations for Shadow Lans, and for shipping with IPT. I'll probably be looking to be in Auckland though, so I don't know if Shadow Lans would make the most sense. I realize that the whole thing will involve lots of paperwork & going to cost a small fortune...

[srivett]

It really will cost a small fortune - PM me if you want to know how much we've spent already - and the paperwork is a hassle, but our cats are family and we couldn't leave them behind. If you're bringing yours, you must feel the same way. Ours will be much happier for sure once the dust settles and they realize they can be outdoor cats.

We're using Canterbury Quarantine, since they're the only place on the S. Island. We're shipping with Best Boarding in Missaussauga - they're close to the Toronto Airport and are listed with IPATA (www.ipata.com)- The Independent Pet and Animal Transportation Association International, Inc. You might want to check out their website for shippers in your area.

Good luck and I hope it all comes together for you!

[kanatakiwi]

[QUOTE
where will you be quarantining your cats? QUOTE]

Hi ,

If you are going to auckland there are two quarantine facilities near there. I have inspected both, and would personally highly recommend Pethaven, near Pokeno.
It is a small facility (only 10 dogs, which is what I was enquiring about) , very new and clean, and most important to me, it only has wire fences so your animals can see across the fields and it doesnt feel so much like they are in a cage. the owner Robyn in very nice, it is on her farm, very quiet. By contract, Qualified Pet Services in Takanini, is much bigger, takes 40 dogs ,not sure how many cats. the walls are wood or concrete so it really feels like they are in a cell. With 40 dogs there was a constant howling barking going on which would drive my dog crazy. also being a bigger operation we didnt meet the owner, and there are a lot of staff.
As your animal is not allowed out of their "cell" for 30 days at all, it was really important to me to pick the best situation for the animal.
Prices are about the same at both places. I hear Shado-lans is also good, but if you are coming to auckland it would be better to not have them make that 5 hour journey down to Levin in a crate, on top of the long flight.
Check out their websites to look at some photos. or I can PM you some.
Gloria

[dilanium]

where will you be quarantining your cats? and which shippers are you using?

I'll be quarantining with shado-lans when it comes time, as I'll be ending up in Palmerston North. I'm not sure who I'll be shipping with yet.

It is a small fortune, but my cat is well worth it.

[kanatakiwi]

here are some photos of Pethaven, you can see what I mean about the rural views, maybe not so important for cats, but I think its a great place for cats and dogs.

[maracuja]

thanks for the photo kanatakiwi, that does look a lot nicer than concrete. I think I saw pictures of the other kennel on someone's blog, and they described it as dog jail.

I have 2 dogs as well as 2 cats... which never seemed like a big deal until I realized that the animals do make emigrating more complicated. They're part of the family too though, as you've all said, so it's not really a question of just dumping them here instead.

thank you all for the information!

[Nathan]

This page has links to most of the information you need.
http://www.maf.govt.nz/quarantine/live-animals/index.htm
Be aware that the import application changed in May, or there abouts, and some of the quarrentine facilities were sending the old form.

For shipping within US, Continental has a pet transport service which is marginally more expensive than the other airlines, but doesn't have the temperature restrictions that the others do. They keep the animals in climate control environments so they're not exposed to tarmack temperatures for more than the time it takes to get them from the plane to the shuttle van. Other airlines won't let you ship if it's too hot or too cold... and you won't know until shipping day!

Our cats have reservations to go in mid-Sept, so I can't tell you what the final outcome is. So far, our internatioanal pet transportantion agent has been very helpful.