Emma and Warren along with their 16 Maine Coon cats and their canine chum are relocating to Crete from Hampshire.
Couriers Martin and Marc went to collect the whole gang bright and early, stopping off on the way for final health checks for the TRACES certificate at Kynoch Vets in Yateley, Hampshire.
This trip took us overland to Greece via Germany, Austria, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria. Usually we take the ferry to Greece from Italy. This time, however, we couldn’t get a ferry trip on that route with a shaded open deck. We felt that for these very furry cats, some of whom are quite senior, it would be more comfortable to go the longer way round by road.
A welcoming committee was waiting for us when we arrived at Emma and Warren’s home
Emma and Warren say goodbye to the cats and Dexter
Meet the cats (and Dexter)
These gorgeous and friendly cats are travelling two to a bedroom, with pairings worked out in advance by Emma. Darling hound Dexter has the luxury of solo accommodation!
Pumpkin — Excalibur’s half-brother and Patches’ son
Excalibur — Pumpkin’s half-brother and Lola’s son
Pumpkin and Excalibur together
Sooty — Purrsephone’s mum
Purrsephone — Sooty’s daughter
Lola
Patches and Igraine
A closer look at Igraine
A winsome look from Patches
Aurora — Leia’s daughter
Antigoni — Porsche’s niece
Porsche having a cuddle with Emma
Rasta, best mates with Tiggerus
Tiggerus
Ace — best mates with Indiana
Indiana — best makes with Ace
Dexter, a young rescue dog who gets on well with all the cats
On our way
This is one of our longest road trips. We are often amazed at how pets, and cats in particular, so often chill out and settle into the journey.
Here are Pumpkin and Excalibur showing how it’s done
Antigoni at 3,200 miles. Just one more day and one more night to go!
You can’t visit Austria without indulging in a Wiener Schnitzel!
We met up with Warren and family friend Kevin at Piraeus Port on the Greek mainland. L to R Akis (pet taxi driver extraordinaire), Warren, Kevin, and courier Marc with Dexter, who was so happy to be reunited with Warren.
Owner Warren finding an alternative use for a dog water bowl
The ferry from the Greek mainland to Crete
Our biggest van was dwarfed by the huge ferry!
New home on Crete
As we delivered the cats and Dexter to the family’s home on Crete, we were very impressed at how calm the cats appeared in their new environment.
Warren and Kevin step off the ferry with Dexter
The view towards Chania, Crete’s second largest city
Three cats settle into the fireplace
Patches is a bit wary at first
Here’s Sooty on the worktop
Tiggerus scouting out the new environment
Rasta is also inquisitive
Antigoni settles down to look out of the window
Exploring the wine rack
Mee-you what an amazin trip Lady Annie!!! 16 katss, 7 countriess an 1 Dexter doggie!!! Furabuluss!!! LadyMum an mee like Xcaliburr thee best….butt all thee Maine katss are luvley. Wee wishes efurryone a safe trip an hope thee settlin inn goes well.
***nose kissesss*** Siddhartha Henry xXx an {{hugs}} LadyMum
It was a big’un! Hard to pick a favourite — they’re all just gorgeous.
I was oohing and aaahing all the way through this post! The Maine Coon’s are some of the most majestic breed of cats I know. If we were ever to consider getting another cat it would either be a Maine Coon or a Rag Doll lool. So beautiful!! Thank you! Safe travels!
They are majestic, as you say! We have a Rag Doll who is delicious and always have an eye out for a needy Maine Coon 😀
They are all beautiful animals and were delivered so safely. You are definitely a company that cares for its clients!!!
Aren’t they gorgeous! Very laid back too.
Wow! I have never seen Maine coon cats – they are gorgeous!! And so many of them….double wow!!
Dexter must be a good sort.
Contrary to #45, all our family LOVES the EU and our friends across the pond…just to clarify.
Oh, they are special! Dexter minds his own business, which is probably a good thing 😉
We’re pleased to see that #45 isn’t being quite so unreasonable at the moment about doing business with the foe…
Dexter and the cats are very beautiful, sweet animals. I love those tufts of hair at the end of the ears on the kitties. 🙂
Quite the family. We adore the tufty ears too!
Those are exceptionally handsome cats.
They did have to count the number we delivered…
That was quite a haul of Main Coon kitties. Persephone looks true to her name. We are in Paris in the Hôtel Hospitel by Notre Dam. It’s a wonderful hotel, but very slow internet.
It was a huge number of gorgeous cats. Reading the blog over slow internet must have been interesting 😉
it seems that pumpkin sings a good bye song in the cage behind his owners…they are wonderful and I think mother nature had her best day as she created this fabulous breed…
Pumpkin did have a lot to say but with a lovely voice! It is a very special breed.
Those cats are gorgeous!
I sometimes find it tricky looking after two cats – Dexter must be kept busy!
Aren’t they just lovely! Have you seen the video of ‘herding cats’? Dexter is no doubt rather tired at the end of each day!
What an epic journey for that furry family and you all made it happen with no stress on anyone…..I hope the family settles in and loves being in new surroundings. Moves aren’t always easy especially with a LOT of pets…..but AC did a great job as always.
Hugs, Pam and Teddy
It was an epic journey but had been planned for a very long time! We hope they settle well too but things are looking good so far.
Gorgeous cats! I love Maine Coons. Dexter seemed to be enjoying the trip and the cats all looked good, too. With the help of Animal Couriers, another successful move!
Dexter was a very late addition to the household but settled in very quickly. We’re sure the cats are grateful for their security guard!
OMC look at all the lion-faces 🙂 We love them, Annie 🙂 I’m glad Dexter stayed the same with so many maine coons around 😀 Cool Pawkisses for a cool week ahead and some Extra for a safe travel 🙂 <3
They are lion faces! Gorgeous creatures 😀
Love Maine Coons (have two) and so glad you had a successful move….Ours cringe whenever the cat carriers come out…
You lucky thing! They are gorgeous and we’d love it if a needy one was ever looking for a home 😉
Berry true Lady Annie!!! 😉