Animalcouriers met up with three super cats and a cheeky Cocker Spaniel who’re all travelling with us to the UK.
Ginger
Emma is moving to Montrose in Scotland from her home town of Chiclana de la Frontera, in south west Spain, and we’re transporting her cat Ginger for her.
Ginger is a very lucky cat. He was found on the streets and taken to a cat charity, where Emma met him and decided to adopt him, and now he is quite firmly her boy!
Emma told us she had found our travel blog very comforting, reading about the pets. She even noticed we had been to Chiclana before! She felt that seeing the cats and the way they travel with us helped her decision along.
Emma saying goodbye to Ginger
Ginger snug as a bug in a rug, with his own travel bag and bed
This stylish fish sculpture welcomes visitors to Chiclana de la Frontera. A highly appropriate design, given the strength of the fishing industry in the area.
Ascension in Fatima
To mark Ascension Day we stayed at the Convent of the Dominican Sisters in the Portuguese town of Fatima. The sisters welcomed us warmly and served us with a well cooked simple meal of soup and fish, followed by egg pudding, and we were offered a bottle of the local red wine.
As we walked the dogs coaches were pulling into town, and bells were tolling from the enormous town square, where preparations for a day of worship were planned. We’d love to have stayed for longer but unfortunately had to be on our way.
The rather splendid convent building
Just what you need at the end of a long day!
Ginger had a bit of a go at rearranging his bedroom overnight
Now it’s exactly how I like it, he says!
Nikos
We called in to collect a cat called Nikos from his grandparents. Although we speak no Portuguese and they spoke no English, it all turned out well.
This is the second time Nikos has started his journey to rejoin his owner in the UK. The first time, he escaped from another pet shipping company and went missing. Fortunately he was found and reunited with the family, ready to have another go.
Nikos with his owner’s parents. Note the number of bungees wrapped around the travel box to prevent any Houdini-like escapades!
Kiya
We stopped in Castelo Branco to collect Ana’s cat Kiya, who’s been in the care of Ana’s mum, Ermelinda. Now Ana has found cat-friendly accommodation in the UK so Kiya can travel to join her in Surrey.
A proper send-off for Kiya from Ana’s mum
Such a pretty, friendly puss she is!
Ermelinda taking a photo of Kiya to send to Ana
Oscar
In damp and foggy weather we met Cocker Spaniel Oscar just south of Porto. His owner Liliana and her son Fabio came to see him off. As with every Portuguese pet so far there were tears as we drove off! But Liliana and Fabio will reach UK before us, and will have a red carpet out to welcome Oscar to his home.
Oscar is a rescue dog — he’s nine years old and has lived with Liliana for two years. He has a few allergies and problems with food, so maybe that’s why a former owner gave him up?
Liliana and Fabio with a very lively Oscar
What a handsome Cocker he is — even in the rain!
Handsome animals ready for a bit of a trip heading to a new home……….hope all travelers enjoyed the journeys! That convent is gorgeous………….
Pam
Yes, they are all handsome and travelling really well. The cats are all characters!
Have a safe journey!
Can’t wait to see Kiya.
And yes….mum says there were a few tears….
All going just fine. Kiya is gorgeous and great company! Can understand the tears 😉
Lovely to see pictures of ginger at his best! I felt guilty making him move again, after all he has been through in the streets before I adopted him. Meeting martin and Julia made me feel so much better. I know cats don’t like travelling or changes in general, but looking at these pictures I can see he is absolutely fine and up to no good, trashing his suite, just like he is normally, sorry Martin for no warning! Well done ginger, not long to go
Hi Emma, you shouldn’t feel guilty about making Ginger move again – he wouldn’t rather be anywhere else but with you! He was great company on the trip – a gorgeous and funny fellow. Martin is very used to cat passengers who like redecorating 😉
Lovely photos, safe travels.
Thanks guys – all nearly home now.
So glad Nikos was found and his family is entrusting him to Animal Couriers now! And I love hearing the stories of these travelling rescue animals who have found such loving homes.
Hard to know the percentage of rescues we transport but it does seem high. Funnily enough, Nikos is the most laid back fellow – we’ve no idea what made him want to escape before 😉