A number of families relocating from Gibraltar to Malta asked Animalcouriers to transport their beloved pets for them. We took them by road through Spain, France and Italy, then via Sicily to Malta.

Jack

We collected friendly Jack, a Boxer-Pointer cross, from Erika at Cozy Kennels in Cadiz. This bouncy fellow belongs to Clare, who has relocated to Malta.

We love Jack's kohl-rimmed eye!

We love Jack’s kohl-rimmed eye!

Jack tries out for 'longest tongue'

Jack tries out for ‘longest tongue’

Freya, Loki, Bella and Nina

This fab four, two dogs and two cats, belong to Nela and Jorge. All are calm, chatty and travelling well. It’s obvious they come from a warm and loving home.

Nina and Bella travelling like many cats do, tucked up in bed

Nina and Bella travelling like many cats do, tucked up in bed

Beautiful Bella

Beautiful Bella

Gorgeous Nina

Gorgeous Nina

A lively and very bonded pair, Freya and Loki

A lively and very bonded pair, Freya and Loki

But they certainly know how to 'sit'! Freya on the left, and Loki on the right.

But they certainly know how to ‘sit’! Freya on the left, and Loki on the right.

Freya fancied a turn behind the wheel!

Freya fancied a turn behind the wheel!

Quil and Dax

Beagle Quil and his best mate Dax work as a team, with Quil in charge. This dynamic duo belong to Beth. She left Gibraltar a week a head of her beloved dogs — the longest she’d ever been apart from them. A very excited reunion in Malta was clearly on the cards!

Gorgeous Quil

Gorgeous Quil

Adorable Dax

Adorable Dax

Bell, Tatty, Toby, Rue and Rocket

A quintet of cats! These fabulous furries belong to Natalia and Ashley, also relocating to Malta.

It was a jolly hot and sunny day when we met Natalia and her cats

It was a jolly hot and sunny day when we met Natalia and her cats

Toby (a girl, despite her name)

Toby (a girl, despite her name)

Toby's sister Rue. These sweet calico girls were happy to share a bedroom

Toby’s sister Rue. These sweet calico girls were happy to share a bedroom

Stunning tabby Rocket

Stunning tabby Rocket

Tatty and Bell. Tatty (the tabby) was so named because she was found in a bedraggled and scruffy state. She's grown into a beautiful cat in Natalie's care.

Tatty and Bell. Tatty (the tabby) was so named because she was found in a bedraggled and scruffy state. She’s grown into a beautiful cat in Natalie’s care.

We crossed from the Italian mainland to Sicily, arriving at Catania

We crossed from the Italian mainland to Sicily, arriving at Catania

Exploring Malta

Having delivered our arriving passengers to their families on Malta, we had a bit of spare time to explore this delightful island. We spent some time in the town of Mellieha, looking at the papal throne used by Pope Jean Paul II, among other things.

Courier M particularly enjoyed a wander round the town's WW2 air raid shelter, which was used extensively as Malta endured 3,300 air raids.

Courier M particularly enjoyed a wander round the town’s WW2 air raid shelter, which was used extensively as Malta endured 3,300 air raids.

The shelter is composed of this 500-metre tunnel and a number of side rooms. The attendant told us he had used the tunnel himself as an eight-year-old during a raid in 1942 that lasted three days and nights, during which 2,500 people took shelter here.

The shelter is composed of this 500-metre tunnel and a number of side rooms. The attendant told us he had used the tunnel himself as an eight-year-old during a raid in 1942 that lasted three days and nights, during which 2,500 people took shelter here.

Mellieha was gearing up for a big festival while we were there

Mellieha was gearing up for a big festival while we were there

Firework displays were being assembled

Firework displays were being assembled

And a statue of St Mary blessing St Jean de Vallette, after whom the Maltese town and harbour of Valletta are named, was brought out

And a statue of St Mary blessing St Jean de Vallette, after whom the Maltese town and harbour of Valletta are named, was brought out

Weasley and Maori

We were sorry to miss the festival, but we had to get back on the road. Before leaving Malta we went to collect Jane’s cats Weasley and Maori. Unfortunately, Maori had done a bunk, but has since been spotted and will, we hope, join a future trip.

Handsome Weasley on his way to rejoin Jane in Staffordshire

Handsome Weasley on his way to rejoin Jane in Staffordshire

He proved to be one of the coolest cats we've ever transported

He proved to be one of the coolest cats we’ve ever transported. Mind you, given that he’s clearly named after a certain Harry Potter character, we were surprised Weasley wasn’t travelling by broomstick or floo powder!

Kimora

On reaching Italy we headed to the lovely hillside town of Popoli to collect super cute kitten Kimora. She travelled with us for a reunion with owners Ariana and Silvano in Bedford.

Good friend Diana has been looking after Kimora for her owners. It's clearly gone very well, as she was sad to say goodbye.

Good friend Diana has been looking after Kimora for her owners. It’s clearly gone very well, as she was sad to say goodbye.

Gorgeous Kimora

Gorgeous Kimora

Accompanied by her favourite toy to keep her company

Accompanied by her favourite toy to keep her company

Simba

In Tuscany we met American Staffie cross Simba. He’s the pride and joy of Lakota and Jorge, who’ve moved to Bristol. Sister-in-law Sabrina and her mum have been taking care of Simba since his owners travelled to the UK.

Sleek and playful Simba

Sleek and playful Simba

He's affectionate and well behaved, too

He’s affectionate and well behaved, too

It was quite an emotional send-off — the family will clearly miss Simba

It was quite an emotional send-off — the family will clearly miss Simba

A joyful reunion for George and Simba in Bristol

A joyful reunion for George and Simba in Bristol

Lila

One of our cherished regular passengers, lovely Lab Lila is on her way back to the UK following a summer break in Milan.

Family friend Johnny has been taking care of Lila since owner Fausta returned to London

Family friend Johnny has been taking care of Lila since owner Fausta returned to London