Animalcouriers is transporting over 30 dogs and cats travelling from Greece to the UK — one of the biggest transports we’ve organised.

Why are so many pets travelling in November? Many of them are summer holiday romances and rescues adopted by holidaymakers during August and September. They’ve been waiting for puppies to be old enough to travel, or for pet passports to be ready. Naturally, everyone wants to be together for Christmas!

Five couriers convened in Greece at the start of this mammoth trip. Couriers Matthew and Huw are setting off by road with 17 cats and dogs. They’ll collect a few more passengers as they drive through Italy.

The other pets — all dogs and puppies — are travelling by air: five accompanied by courier Becca; another 10 with couriers J and M. We’ll tell you all about them in a separate post.

Planning session in the Greek sunshine. L to R: couriers Huw, Becca, Matthew and M.

Planning session in the Greek sunshine. L to R: couriers Huw, Becca, Matthew and M.

With a rest day to spare before setting off, there was time to visit the Parthenon…

With a rest day to spare before setting off, there was time to visit the Parthenon…

…meet Heracles, son of Zeus…

…meet Heracles, son of Zeus…

…spot a lion basking in a tree…

…spot a lion basking in a tree…

…and chat to a few street cats

…and chat to a few street cats

Road trip with 17 pets

Meet the dogs and cats travelling with couriers Matthew and Huw from Greece to the UK by road.

Lynne arriving with her two cats

Lynne arriving with her two cats

This is Grey…

This is Grey…

…and this is Smudge. After a spell living in Greece, the whole family is returning to Swansea in Wales.

…and this is Smudge. After a spell living in Greece, the whole family is returning to Swansea in Wales.

Also heading to Swansea is Leo, on his way to rejoin owner Rhian. Here he is having a hug with courier Huw.

Also heading to Swansea is Leo, on his way to rejoin owner Rhian. Here he is having a hug with courier Huw.

Maine Coone Nino, who belongs to Alexandra and family, is heading to Eastbourne in Sussex. Everyone's looking forward to being reunited with him.

Maine Coone Nino, who belongs to Alexandra and family, is heading to Eastbourne in Sussex. Everyone’s looking forward to being reunited with him.

Sandra brought little cat Luna to join the trip

Sandra brought little cat Luna to join the trip

Aleksandra found young Luna on a recent trip to Athens. Luna was very ill and missing an eye. Aleksandra got vet care for her and decided to adopt her.

Aleksandra found young Luna on a recent trip to Athens. Luna was very ill and missing an eye. Aleksandra got vet care for her and decided to adopt her.

Sandra has been taking super care of Luna until she was fit and ready to travel to the UK. She's so pleased that Luna has a loving home to go to.

Sandra has been taking super care of Luna until she was fit and ready to travel to the UK. She’s so pleased that Luna has a loving home to go to.

Erin and Paris arrive for the journey

Erin and Paris arrive for the journey

They're travelling with us to Surrey

They’re travelling with us to Surrey

Trooper, an Akita, is on his way to Berkshire to rejoin owner George. George's parents, who've been taking care of Trooper, are flying to the UK.

Trooper, an Akita, is on his way to Berkshire to rejoin owner George. George’s parents, who’ve been taking care of Trooper, are flying to the UK.

Lyn's family of three cats are on their way with us to the UK

Lyn’s family of three cats are on their way with us to the UK

This is mama cat, Katie…

This is mama cat, Katie…

…and her ginger-and-white son…

…and her ginger-and-white son…

…and tabby daughter

This is Maddie, one of Eleni's three dogs. Eleni has relocated from Lemnos to Kent, but wasn't sure how her beloved dogs could join her. Fortunately, she came across the Starlight Barking Trust, who were able to advise her.

This is Maddie, one of Eleni’s three dogs. Eleni has relocated from Lemnos to Kent, but wasn’t sure how her beloved dogs could join her. Fortunately, she came across the Starlight Barking Trust, who were able to advise her.

Another of Eleni's dogs, Kassiopeia

Another of Eleni’s dogs, Kassiopeia

And Kalypso makes three

And Kalypso makes three

Nine Lives Greece arrived with two kittens and a cat who've been adopted by Michelle in England

Nine Lives Greece arrived with two kittens and a cat who’ve been adopted by Michelle in England

All three are very chilled out in their snuggly beds — this is Daphne

All three are very chilled out in their snuggly beds — this is Daphne

Kittens Max and Marshall fell asleep almost immediately! We think Michelle will have great fun with these three.

Kittens Max and Marshall fell asleep almost immediately! We think Michelle will have great fun with these three.