on the road with Animalcouriers

2020 got off to a flying start with pets in the air to worldwide destinations. But we’d only just got Labradoodle Willow away to Melbourne, and frequent flyer Millie to southern Spain for her annual stay, when Covid-19 (coronavirus) struck, and most travel was put on hold as countries went into lockdown.

Rocky, a dog from the UK to the Cayman Islands

Just before the Cayman Islands shut down, we worked with Aimee of Must Love Dogs to get lovely Labrador Rocky onto the last scheduled BA flight from London to Cayman. Rocky homeboarded with Must Love Dogs until his family completed their own quarantine stay in Cayman.

Rocky’s owner said: “Thank you all very much!!!! Truly appreciate everything you’ve all done!!!!!”

Rocky homeboarding for a week with Rio. Looks like they had fun together!

Kiya, a dog from the UK to the Cayman Islands

As some routes have started to open back up, pets are once again taking to the skies. Working again with Must Love Dogs and Jack of Miami’s Peace of Mind Pet Shipping and Resort, we managed to sent gorgeous Labrador Kiya to the Cayman Islands.

Happy girl Kiya

Willow, a dog from the UK to Australia

Willow flew to Australia with Emirates and stayed at Mickleham Quarantine kennels for 10 days before joining owner Rose.

Beautiful Willow. “Thank you for organising it all. As you can see, she’s comfortable here!” commented owner Rose — and we have to agree.

Toby, a dog from the UK to New Zealand

During this lull in air transport we thought we’d look back at some of the pets who travelled with us recently to Australia and New Zealand. Our comprehensive service includes arranging import and export paperwork, flights, travel boxes and boarding. And of course, staying in close touch with the owners!

Toby’s owners Alex and Lynn returned to the UK from New Zealand to retire. Five years on, however, the draw of New Zealand proved irresistible, so they made their way back — and of course Toby went too.

Adorable Toby looking very relaxed in kennels

Logan, a dog from the UK to New Zealand

Handsome Logan, a Husky cross, hails from Australia. He then spent a year in the UK before setting off to explore New Zealand, flying with Emirates via Dubai. He blogs about his adventures at Travels with Logan, where his musings include what the quarantine kennels are like in Auckland, hitting a Marlborough wine trail, and touring NZ in a camper van!

Blogger Logan

Molly, a dog who spent a holiday in the UK

Lively Collie Molly accompanied her owners to the UK for a family visit. When it was time to return to New Zealand, Animalcouriers arranged her flights with Emirates to Christchurch. She had a 10-day stay at Canterbury Quarantine Kennels, who also took care of her onward flight to Queenstown.

A joyful reunion for Molly with owners Stacey and Rebecca

Molly happily on her way home. Stacey wrote to say: “Molly arrived safe and sound and seems to have travelled well. She was very excited to see us! Huge thank you for all your help in making it come together.”

Ceilidh and Louis, two dogs to New Zealand

Animalcouriers were pleased to help reunite darling Ceilidh and her new brother Louis with their family on South Island.

When the family made the move to New Zealand, poor Ceilidh had to stay behind with family members as she failed her rabies blood test, and then became pregnant. Then there was nearly another delay when it looked like bad weather would prevent her leaving the Scottish Isla of Gigha for her final health check and flight from Glasgow with Emirates. Fortunately she made it, and was joined on her journey by Louis, the newest member of the family. Born in France, Louis was fostered by family friends in Scotland until he was old enough to travel to New Zealand with Ceilidh.

Owners Anna and Steve told us: “We are thrilled to say they are both safely and happily home with us. It’s hard to believe after such a mission but they are both in great form and good health. An amazing reunion. Thank you for all you did.”

Louis and Ceilidh with the rest of the canine crew, Cash and Gem

Leo, a dog from London to New Zealand

Lovely Leo flew with Emirates from London to join his owners, Steve and Hannah, who relocated to just outside Auckland. On arrival, Leo had a short stay at Pethaven Quarantine Kennels — conveniently located just down the road from his new home.

A serious look from Leo before he set off

Steve and Hannah sent a cute video of Leo on the beach, telling us: “He has settled in so well, thank you. We took him to the beach straightaway for a stretch of his legs. Can’t thank you enough for what you have done for us, we really appreciate it. If we ever have friends wanting to travel with their pets we will 100% be recommending you to them.”

Millie, a dog from the UK to Australia

Millie’s owner originally approached us in 2016 to plan her move back to Australia, but work commitments kept her in the UK rather longer than expected! Finally Millie is discovering what life is like down under, having flown with Qantas to Sydney via Singapore.

Beautiful Millie happy to be home

Milo and Mara, 2 dogs from the UK to Sydney

Super active Milo relocated from the UK to Sydney. Within a few months he was joined by equally energetic Mara, whose travels were a little delayed as her rabies blood test had to be repeated.

Owner Louise wrote to say: “I’m so grateful for all your support and help over the past 6 months in moving both Milo & Mara to Sydney. It was a bit of a saga getting them both here, but here they are and we’ve so very happy to have both our dogs with us!”

On the way from Mickleham Quarantine Kennels to his new home, splendid Milo enjoyed a stopover at a 2,500 acre farm

A moment of calm for Milo

Gorgeous Mara

Walter, a dog from the UK to Perth

Walter’s owner returned to Perth after completing his UK work contract, and Walter followed the family once his paperwork was ready. There was a bit of a worry that Walter was going to be stranded in Melbourne as for several weeks no airline in Australia would fly brachycephalic dogs. Fortunately for Walter, routes opened up just as he was ready to leave quarantine.

Adorable Walter

Walter with a playmate