It was a bright and breezy morning in Glyfada, Athens, as we started welcoming a very large group UK-bound passengers.
Outside our hotel, our vans were waiting for our passengers to get on board
Everyone who arrived with their pets soon started chatting away
There was a lot of bonding over a shared love of animals, which created a happy and positive atmosphere
Our dear friend and colleague Akis, who operates a pet taxi service in Athens. We rely on his help every time we come to Greece. When we asked him if he enjoyed working with us, he thought for a moment, then smiled and said, there’s something new every day. This time was no exception, as he hared around between the airport, the kennels and the port, with a side trip to Kalamata to collect six pets!
Lovely Paris was already on board, having joined us in Thessaloniki. Here she is out walking with courier Marc.
Sila and Dora
This super pair of cats belong to Christina, who’s relocating with them to Lancashire for work. Both cats were quick to settle into their bedroom. They’re easy to handle and love a chat.
Christina arriving with Sila and Dora
Stunning Sila
Gorgeous Dora
Danny, Millie, Julia, Slinky, Finn and Rosie
Dogs Danny, Millie and Julia, and cats Slinky, Finn and Rosie belong to Nigel and family. After a few years living in the beautiful Peloponnese area in Kalamata, the family is heading back to family and friends in Leicester, along with their super six.
Two of the family’s delightful cats
All six pets are rescues
It’s very difficult to live in Greece without adopting local cats and dogs!
Like the cats, the dogs get on well with each other, so bedrooms can be shared
Baloo
Gorgeous Golden Retriever Baloo is travelling with Animalcouriers for the third time. Owner Irene lives and works in Edinburgh, and spends the summer with her family in Athens. Now summer is over, Irene has already left, and Baloo is heading back to Scotland to join her.
Irene’s parents brought Baloo to join our trip. They admitted they love to spoil Baloo!
Baloo enjoying the beach at Bari
Like many Goldens, Baloo loves to forage
Lisa
Lovely Lisa belongs to Ioannis and Konstantina. Konstantina has already moved to London, and now Ioannis and Lisa are on their way to join her.
When Ioannis arrived with Lisa, he very kindly offered to stay and be our interpreter for other Greek families bringing their pets. We, and they, were very grateful!
A closer look at this very pretty cat
Perikles
Border Collie Perikles belongs to Niki. He’s on his way to rejoin her in London.
Stunning Perikles enjoying a walk
Nesh, Eve and Kaliqoulas
This charming feline trio belongs to Anna Marie and Konstantinos, who are moving to a new home in Norfolk.
Anne Marie arrives with her precious cats
Two are brave enough to have a look around
The third member of the trio prefers to snuggle deep inside a cosy igloo bed
Homer
Homer has all the classic good looks of a Husky. He belongs to Ioannis who is waiting for him to arrive in London. Straroula, who brought Homer to join the trip, very thoughtfully gave him a good long walk on the beach, so Homer was very relaxed when we met him.
Homer ready for the off
Olivia
Gentle Labrador Olivia belongs to Ioannis, who’s moved to Gloucestershire. His mum Katerina delivered Olivia to us, before starting her own journey to the UK.
Olivia accompanied by Katerina
Katerina making sure the paperwork for Olivia is correct — a big help to us
Olivia having a great time on her walk by the sea
Bailey
Owing to a bad back, Lynette decided to put her beloved Terrier Bailey up for adoption in the UK. We hadn’t gone far, however, before we heard from Lynette that she was missing Bailey so much, she had changed her mind! So Bailey will stay with friends of Lynette in the UK until we bring her back to Greece on our November trip.
Lynette giving Bailey a tearful goodbye cuddle
Bailey having a ‘bad hair day’
Afro
Afro was one of a litter of puppies dumped near Sandy’s home on the island of Poros. When Sharon was on a visit, she fell in love with Afro and decided to adopt him. He has lovely walks on the beaches to look forward to at his forever home in Bexhill.
Hairy hound Afro gets a cuddle with courier Marc
Arthur and Chester
This fine pair of cats belongs to Daphne, who has moved to Edinburgh. Her friend Zoe has been taking care of them in the meantime, and brought them to join our trip.
Arthur and Chester arriving
Chewie and Pickle
Border Terrier Chewie and Pickle the Pug belong to Carol. After living on the island of Kos for a while, Carol has decided to return to the UK, along with her beloved dogs.
Carol, Chewie and Pickle travelled from Kos to Athens by boat
Goodbye hugs for a wriggly pair of dogs! Everyone will be reunited in a few days.
Chewie and Pickle enjoying the beach at Bari
Bella
Beautiful Bella was due to travel with us to London to rejoin Stelios, but we noticed that, unfortunately, her passport had been completed incorrectly by the vet. So Bella will stay on with Eleni while her passport is amended, and will travel with us in November instead.
Eleni and Bella
Chris
Adorable Chris belongs to Andy, who’s travelling on ahead to the UK to be ready to welcome Chris.
Chris arriving with Andy
Chris has very fine tabby markings
Maggie
French Bulldog Maggie belongs to Robyn and Henry, who are returning to the UK after a period of living and working in Athens. Robyn met us with Maggie in Glyfada, and Henry is waiting to welcome her in Surrey.
We had a few giggles as Maggie attempted a flying leap while Robyn was posing for a photo with her. Maggie is a real sweetie — this photo doesn’t do her justice at all!
Maggie settled in to her bedroom
Maggie after a walk on the beach with courier Marc
Lily
Cheeky Collie cross Lily belongs to David and Skye, who live in London and also have a house on Mykonos. Lily flew into Athens from Mykonos, where Akis collected her and brought her to join the trip.
Lily loves a biscuit — and soon spotted where we kept them!
Titi
Titi belongs to Rosemarie, who has been living and working on the island of Lefkas for some years. When we reach the UK, Rosemarie’s daughter Hayley will be waiting to receive this cute and fluffy bundle.
Titi, who loves a cuddle, came to join us in Patras
Walking on the beach with Titi
Titi wanted to make friends with this local dog who was also out for a walk
An interesting addition to the beach — the original stonewashed jeans, perhaps?
Leaving Greece
It was a very organised departure, with every bit of paperwork closely studied by the kind and helpful port police. We wouldn’t have got away with a single mistake, and quite right too. In fact, it was a very reassuring experience — in the past, we’ve sometimes had to second guess where information might be lacking, putting us in a position where we had to be smart, rather than get on and do our job well.
Couriers Martin and Marc with one of the port police officers
We were given a lovely airy spot for our vans on the Italy-bound ferry. We were able to leave the van doors open, with all the pets safely tucked up inside. Unlimited access to the deck meant we could watch over them at all times.
Your vans must be like Doctor Who’s Tardis on the inside to fit all those travellers!
There are some lovely smiles and gorgeous eyes amongst your passengers. And I saw a few entries for the longest tongue contest.
It is quite remarkable the number of passengers you can fit into two vans! We thought exactly the same, especially Olivia but Pericles was giving her a run for the money 😀
ha! love the stonewashed jeans! and your passengers are fabulous… we love the hairstyle of Bailey and Afro!
We thought it was a novel way to get that finish! The weather certainly helped to style that hair 😀
What a huge pile of pets to transport this time around – everyone looks “ready for the off” though and no doubt will be happy to see their families when they get to their destinations. It’s a lot of work getting the paperwork done and everyone comfy but Animal Couriers and the people who help do an amazing job! Everyone always looks happy.
Pam
As we don’t run trips to Greece at the height of the summer (too hot for the animals) our passenger numbers had grown rather large! Good to have started getting everyone home again.
Good job – Animalcouriers.
Thanks Jovina, it was a big trip.
Great job
Thanks!
So grateful a service like yours is in this world. You are a blessing.
You are very kind!
Wow, a virtual caravan of pets! And great pet photography as always! Good job, AC. –Curt
It was busy busy busy!
What a cargo. The packing must have been very well organised.
We have our routines.
Thanks to all at Animalcouriers My pups arrived safely home. I highly recommend the professional and friendly service and I’m sure if Pickle and Chewie could talk they would be sending their thanks.
Delighted to have had Pickle & Chewie along for the ride. They were great passengers – hope you’ve all settled in well.
More successes for Animal Couriers!!
Your passengers look so happy every time…two, three vans…who knows how many vans will be needed??
I hope Bailey’s mom will be all smiles soon…he was so cute…but then they all are!!
This was a major trip! Yes, we can’t wait to see Bailey’s mum in happier form.
I I would like to thank everybody at Animalcouriers for looking after Afro on her journey from Greece to the UK and also to the ladies in the office who were always very helpful in answering any queries I had. Afro has settled in very well in her new home in Bexhill-on-Sea. I would happily recommend Animalcouriers. Sharon
Hi Sharon, delighted to hear that Afro has settled so quickly. She’s a darling and a pleasure to travel with!
Lisa is very happy at her new home in Wimbledon! My wife and I would like to thank Animalcouriers for taking good care of our sweet cat, making sure that Lisa arrived safe and sound! Thank you so much. I would urge people to choose this company! Their pets would be in safe hands!!
Delighted to hear that. She was a great traveller and a pleasure to have on board. Thanks for the translation services in Greece! Good luck with your new venture.