Our two trips around southern Europe are on the way back to the UK, with pets on board from Portugal, Spain and France.

Pets from Portugal and Spain

Courier Marc travelled round Portugal and back up through Spain, collecting cats and dogs heading to the UK.

First things first — Staffie Levi reunited with owner Stacey in Benalmadena, Spain

First things first — Staffie Levi reunited with owner Stacey in Benalmadena, Spain

on the way back to the UK: Easy and Wasabi are Margarida's darling cats, on their way from Lisbon to rejoin her in London

Easy and Wasabi are Margarida’s darling cats, on their way from Lisbon to rejoin her in London

Adorable tuxedo cat Mini, who belongs to Rachel, is on her way from Alvor to Lancashire

Adorable tuxedo cat Mini, who belongs to Rachel, is on her way from Alvor to Lancashire

Francis's three dogs are travelling with us from Silves to Lancashire. Here are Masie and Chihuahua Alfie…

Francis’s three dogs are travelling with us from Silves to Lancashire. Here are Masie and Chihuahua Alfie…

…and this is camera-shy Bentley!

…and this is camera-shy Bentley!

We collected lively Pomeranian Rupert from Pam and Viv at Petcare Pet Hotel  in Alhaurin el Grande, Malaga. His final destination is Cyprus. Owners Peter and Moira had intended him to fly to the UK but, at this time of year, no flights between Malaga and the UK take pets. So he’s travelling by road with us as far as the UK, and we’ll then pop him on a flight out of London Heathrow airport to Larnaca to rejoin Peter and Moira.

Rato and Whisky (here) and Emma (below) hail from Malaga. They're on their way to East Kilbride in Scotland, to rejoin owner Beryl.

Rato and Whisky (here) and Emma (below) hail from Malaga. They’re on their way to East Kilbride in Scotland, to rejoin owner Beryl.

Emma, the final member of Beryl's splendid feline trio

Emma, the final member of Beryl’s splendid feline trio

Princess, one of five cats belonging to Michaela. They're swapping Menorca for Devon.

Princess, one of five cats belonging to Michaela. They’re swapping Menorca for Devon.

Ice and Baileys, two more of Michaela's fab five

Ice and Baileys, two more of Michaela’s fab five

Not too keen on a close-up — Itsy

Not too keen on a close-up — Itsy

Equally camera-shy Roxy

Equally camera-shy Roxy

Polly

Couriers M and Matthew’s journey took them down the east side of Spain and back up through France.

Gorgeous tabby puss Polly belongs to Verity. We collected her from Verity’s mum, Rachel, in sunny Almeria in Spain, and will be reuniting her with Verity in Gloucestershire.

on the way back to the UK: Polly in the arms of Rachel

Polly in the arms of Rachel

Verity wrote to say: “A massive thank you to the lovely couriers who dropped our Polly off safe and sound, as well as all the other staff at Animalcouriers for the fantastic service provided. As you can see, she is settling in very well, and has been relaxing on the sofa after having a good prowl around the house!"

Verity wrote to say: “A massive thank you to the lovely couriers who dropped our Polly off safe and sound, as well as all the other staff at Animalcouriers for the fantastic service provided. As you can see, she is settling in very well, and has been relaxing on the sofa after having a good prowl around the house!”

Milan

Not the place — the cat! Milan is a delightful Persian kitten who joined us in rainy Valencia. We met up with her breeders, Augustine and Pablo, in the ancient city centre — but couldn’t stay long as it was rush hour, and parking is challenging at the best of times. Milan’s new home is with Isabella in the UK.

Fluffy young Milan

Fluffy young Milan

Rain-drenched rush hour in Valencia

Rain-drenched rush hour in Valencia

We spent the night in Tortosa, where we managed to get an off-peak deal at the Parador

We spent the night in Tortosa, where we managed to get an off-peak deal at the Parador

Tortosa's stunning cathedral

Tortosa’s stunning cathedral

Mitzi, Bebbins, Katie, Bushy, Fluffpot, Sparky, Benny and Piggy

We added considerably to our feline passenger list when we stopped near Avignon to collect Dawn’s family of eight. She rescued all of them from the streets and gave them a loving home. After a number of years living in France, Dawn is returning to the UK, and all the cats are going too.

on the way back to the UK: Mitzi

Mitzi

Bebbins

Bebbins

Katie

Katie

Bushy and Piggy in a heap

Bushy and Piggy in a heap

Fluffpot

Fluffpot

Sparky

Sparky

Benny

Benny

Dawn helping courier M ensure we have each cat correctly identified and their bedrooms labelled

Dawn helping courier M ensure we have each cat correctly identified and their bedrooms labelled

Highlander

We collected Highlander, a Shiba Inu puppy, from Catherine, a successful breeder and shower of these dogs. Young Highlander is great fun and has the characteristic smile of a Shiba Inu. He’s on his way to Saria in London.

A goodbye hug for Highlander from breeder Catherine

A goodbye hug for Highlander from breeder Catherine

It was a braw bright moonlight night in Lussan

It was a braw bright moonlight night in Lussan

Max, Jake, Loopy, Maisie and Poppy

When Karen and Phil moved from the UK to France, we brought their five dogs out for them. After an enjoyable couple of years in Fumel, they’re heading back to the UK, and asked us to transport their dogs again — it was a treat to meet up with the gang and catch up on all their news.

The welcoming committee as we drove up

The welcoming committee as we drove up

Max

Max

Poppy and Maisy

Poppy and Maisy

Loopy

Loopy

Jake

Jake

 

Phil and Karen seeing their beloved hounds away

Phil and Karen seeing their beloved hounds away

Our two vans caught up with each other in France, and travelled north in convoy through Rouen, en route to Calais for the Eurotunnel. Here we all are, waiting to check in at Eurotunnel pet reception this morning.

Our two vans caught up with each other in France, and travelled north in convoy through Rouen, en route to Calais for the Eurotunnel. Here we all are, waiting to check in at Eurotunnel pet reception this morning.

When we stopped off at a services on the M25, an accidental spillage of dog food attracted a visitation from the sky — a squabble of black-headed gulls, who must have been forced inland by the bad weather. They saw the opportunity and grabbed it with both webbed feet!

When we stopped off at a services on the M25, an accidental spillage of dog food attracted a visitation from the sky — a squabble of black-headed gulls, who must have been forced inland by the bad weather. They saw the opportunity and grabbed it with both webbed feet!