Animalcouriers travelled back in the UK with pets from Portugal, Spain and France. We had two vans on the road, so that we could collect pets from all over Spain as well as Portugal. We met up in France for the last leg of the journey home, with two degus and a hamster on board in addition to our more usual canine and feline passengers.

Lily

We collected six-month-old Persian kitten Lily from Anna just south of Lisbon in Portugal. Lovely Lily travelled with us to Beatriz in London.

Anna was all ready for us with Lily in her carrier

Anna was all ready for us with Lily in her carrier

Gorgeous little Lily

Gorgeous little Lily

Alex and O’Neill

We met up with Portuguese Podenco Alex and his feline chum O’Neill in Albuferia. It was a reunion of sorts as we had the pleasure of transporting them to Portugal a couple of years ago. Now Isabel and her pets are returning to Surrey.

Isabel gives adorable Alex a little pep talk as she says goodbye

Isabel gives adorable Alex a little pep talk as she says goodbye

Dapper O'Neill was the perfect passenger

Dapper O’Neill was the perfect passenger

Alex enjoying a walk

Alex enjoying a walk

Byron

Tabby-and-white Byron travelled with us from Lisbon to London, where owner Matt was eagerly awaiting his arrival. When we collected Byron from the cattery where he’d been staying, he was very comfy and somewhat surprised to be roused from his slumbers!

Handsome and friendly Byron

Handsome and friendly Byron

Gizmo, Pippin, Gingy, Boo, Buffy, Star, Lulu, Tiffany, two degus and Caramel the hamster

We collected this extensive group of pets from their family in Andalucía. With Brexit looming, Jacqueline and Glenn have decided to relocate back to Kent in the UK for work and the children’s schooling.

Jacqueline and her daughter with cute Chihuahuas Lulu and Tiffany

Jacqueline and her daughter with cute Chihuahuas Lulu and Tiffany

Gorgeous Boo, part Mastin (a Spanish Mastiff)

Gorgeous Boo, part Mastin (a Spanish Mastiff)

Darling Buffy, Boo's best mate

Darling Buffy, Boo’s best mate

At one stage Dalmatian Star was thought to be too ill to travel, but fortunately he recovered

At one stage Dalmatian Star was thought to be too ill to travel, but fortunately he recovered

Fine ginger puss Gingy

Fine ginger puss Gingy

We love this smart cat 'collar'!

We love this smart cat ‘collar’!

Playful degus

Playful degus

Adorable hamster, Caramel

Adorable hamster, Caramel

Tres

Tres is the beloved pet of Alba and Miguel, who’ve moved from Guadalajara in Spain to Norfolk for work. We collected Tres from Miguel’s parents, who were very emotional about seeing Tres off to the UK.

Meeting Tres and his 'grandparents'

Meeting Tres and his ‘grandparents’

A closer look at the dear boy himself

A closer look at the dear boy himself

Percy

Fine black Labrador cross belongs to Sian, who’s relocated from San Roque in Spain to Lairg in Scotland.

Percy is a dear who loves a cuddle

Percy is a dear who loves a cuddle

Jennie

We called in on our friends Mel and Sue who run Casa Antigua in Jesus Pobre, a favourite kennels and cattery of ours. Jennie, a charming Golden Retriever, was staying with them, waiting to catch up with her owner who’s already in the UK.

Mel and Sue also do masses to help unwanted pets at a ‘pound kennels’ they run nearer to town, where the  local strays are in very good hands.

Courier Gwen with Jennie

Courier Gwen with Jennie

A closer look at delightful Jennie

A closer look at delightful Jennie

Bentley

Also collected from Casa Antigua was gorgeous young German Shepherd mix Bentley, who travelled with us to Northampton.

This very good boy knows all about sitting for the camera

This very good boy knows all about sitting for the camera

Pippa

We collected sweet Springer Spaniel Pippa in Murcia, in Spain. Unfortunately, Pippa’s owners were injured in a car accident, since when Pippa has been in the care of a kind lady in the area. Saga Insurance did a brilliant job of taking the burden off Pippa’s owners and arranging for her to travel with us.

Pippa was a little shy at first but soon came out of her shell and took to travel like a pro

Pippa was a little shy at first but soon came out of her shell and took to travel like a pro

Pippa cosy in her bedroom in our van

Pippa cosy in her bedroom in our van

Indie and Rosa

A cheeky pair of Terrier mixes, Indie and Rosa joined us in Torrevieja. They travelled with us to rejoin owner Alwyn in London, who’s gone back to the UK owing to Brexit uncertainty.

Indie and Rosa enjoying a walk

Indie and Rosa enjoying a walk

Brownie

Brownie, a Brittany dog, belongs to Mariona and Alex. We met up with Brownie in Alicante for the journey to Bath.

Brownie's extended family were on hand to wish everyone a safe trip

Brownie’s extended family were on hand to wish everyone a safe trip

A little dog full of character

A little dog full of character

Brownie travelling in style

Brownie travelling in style

Lanta

Gorgeous Russian Blue Lanta joined us in Barcelona, travelling to rejoin owners Joanna and Daniel in London.

Lovely Lanta preferred to snuggle in her travel bag, only popping out for food and water

Lovely Lanta preferred to snuggle in her travel bag, only popping out for food and water

Lunette

Another shy kitty from Barcelona, pretty Lunette belongs to Etienne. Lunette travelled with us to London.

Lunette settled in to her bedroom

Lunette settled in to her bedroom

Konami and Atari

More kitties from Barcelona — Konami and Atari belong to Abel and Freya, who have gone on ahead to Lincolnshire.

Gorgeous Atari

Gorgeous Atari

Handsome Konami

Handsome Konami

Nyosha

This dear little girl got on board in Esparsac in France. We collected her from our friend Jenny at Chatil de Lomagne, for her journey to rejoin Diana in the UK.

Sweet puss Nyosha

Sweet puss Nyosha

Taylor and Jacob

Dynamic tabby cat duo Taylor and Jacob were staying at the impressive Hotel Animalerie Le Pouget in the Dordogne, where Ann took wonderful care of them. We first met them a few years ago when owner Pattie moved to France; now everyone’s on their way back to London.

Cuddly Jacob

Cuddly Jacob

Equally Cuddly Taylor

Equally Cuddly Taylor

Felix

Slinky black puss Felix joined us in the Bordeaux region — we collected him at a cattery in Commensacq. He travelled with us to rejoin owner Isabelle in London.

Cool dude Felix

Cool dude Felix

In Commensacq we came upon this outdoor sculpture in the rather wonderful Contemporary Art Forest. It's by Stéphanie Cherpin, and is based on a train carriage that used to run on the line between Sabres and Labouheyre.

In Commensacq we came upon this outdoor sculpture in the rather wonderful Contemporary Art Forest. It’s by Stéphanie Cherpin, and is based on a train carriage that used to run on the line between Sabres and Labouheyre.

The theme is the union between the natural environment and technical production

The theme is the union between the natural environment and technical production

Enjoying a spot of French cuisine on our last evening

Enjoying a spot of French cuisine on our last evening

Signs of spring — snowdrops spotted as we walked dogs at Calais

Signs of spring — snowdrops spotted as we walked dogs at Calais

There was massive congestion at Eurotunnel, so we hopped on the ferry instead

There was massive congestion at Eurotunnel, so we hopped on the ferry instead

UK reunions

When couriers J, M, Mike and Gwen reached the UK with our passengers, courier Richard headed out to start the happy business of reuniting pets with their owners.

Big hugs for Bentley

Big hugs for Bentley

Alba, Miguel and Tres — all three to excited to stand still for a photo!

Alba, Miguel and Tres — all three too excited to stand still for a photo!

Abel and Freya, delighted to have Konami and Atari with them. The cats were more interested in exploring their new home than posing for the camera!

Abel and Freya, delighted to have Konami and Atari with them. The cats were more interested in exploring their new home than posing for the camera!

A warm welcome for Pippa from her owner's brother

A warm welcome for Pippa from her owner’s brother

Percy delighted to see owner Sian's dad

Percy delighted to see owner Sian’s dad