Job transfers, marriage, divorce, and other life changes often entail a change of address.
Companion animals, like dependent children, require an added measure of provision to ensure a smooth move, be it down the street, across country, or abroad. Sadly, animals are sometimes given less consideration than Aunt Zelda’s bulky old armoire, which must remain in the family at any cost. The cat, the dog, the hamster … well, they’ll find a new home. What happens to pets left behind seldom has a happy ending.
Like hand-me-downs, companion animals passed on from one home to another tend to be given away yet again, losing value to each consecutive guardian or owner. The net result is that these animals become progressively “disposable” and may suffer premature deaths, or worse, a life of neglect and even cruel treatment.
Moving is the leading reason given for owner-surrendered animals at shelters and humane societies. Some people cry when they leave (i.e., “abandon to their fate”) their bewildered pet at the shelter, but do it nonetheless. Others surrender the gift-kitten they cooed about last Christmas, or the arthritic dog who has been loyal to the family for 10 years with no more concern than dumping a bag of old clothes at a collection bin. Regardless of their state of mind, both types of people are breaking the implicit commitment, the ethical obligation, the promise that comes with adopting, purchasing, inheriting, or accepting a living, feeling creature: To care for him or her for the rest of its natural life.
There are times, however, when taking pets along is truly impossible –e.g. tour of duty in the Armed Forces, moving to a healthcare facility, a ban on the dog breed at the point of destination, etc.—and the pet owner has no alternative but to entrust their temporary care to someone else. The ideal solution in such cases is finding a foster-home arrangement with a capable friend, relative, or pet nanny until pet and owner can be reunited. Boarding in a reputable kennel can be expensive, but sometimes is the only way to ensure proper care of the animal in the owner’s absence. In any case, even with friends and relatives, the owner should offer compensation proportional to the cost of food, medical care, and other expenses to ensure that the favor doesn’t turn into a burden.
Too many people think that coping with pets in a move is hard to handle. Not so and no more than coping with children or personal possessions in such cases. Changing residence in town is easy, and yet some people see barriers that don’t exist. “They don’t allow pets in the new apartment,” they say, 
ignoring the availability of pet-friendly quality rentals anywhere in the continental United States. “The new house has white carpet…” having never considered hardwood, tile flooring, or a sensible carpet print. And the pinnacle of poor choices: “My new room-mate (partner, spouse) ‘won’t allow’ pets…” and pity the person who will agree to such demands. In fact, when a pet means so little to the owner, it is in the pet’s best interest to find better people to live with.
Moving within the United States (with the exception of Hawaii) poses no special problems for pet owners. Real estate agencies are familiar with pet-friendly rental and lease properties. Some landlords may be swayed to accept pets if the renter offers a higher deposit or agrees to replacement conditions.
While looking for a permanent residence, pet owners have at least three options: (1) live in temporary pet-friendly accommodations with their pet, (2) board the pet, or (3) ask friends or relatives in the new or in the former location to keep the pet until a permanent residence can be found. In the latter case, there should be no arm-twisting; the provisional caregivers should be willing and able to provide properly for the pet in a safe environment –e.g., strong fence, no vicious children to torment it, etc. In all fairness, provisional custody of a pet should never be an open-ended proposition, and the caregiver should be given a timeframe within which the pet will be retrieved by the owner. The caregiver should also receive money to cover pet food and other expenses.
International transfers present greater challenges, but in most cases are possible. The first step is to check with the Embassy of the destination country as to their pet importation laws. A listing of foreign embassies and consulates is available on the Department of State’s website at http://www.state.gov/s/cpr/rls/dpl/32122.htm. Fortunately, most countries have reasonable requirements for importing companion animals. The Embassy of the country of destination, the air carrier, and a USDA accredited veterinarian must be involved from the start. It helps to create a schedule with requirements, deadlines, reminders … and follow it through.
Some countries, however, have strict quarantines on agriculture and wildlife, and customs requirements and prohibitions. There may also be bans on breeds considered dangerous such as Staffordshire (Pit) Bull Terrier, Akita, Presa Canario, and others, but these differ from country to country. In such cases, the owner should find a suitable new home, preferably among people he knows and who are capable to handle a high-performance breed. That failing, it is necessary to contact a breed-specific rescue group which will place the animal only with those who can handle the breed. Also, when the importation of an exotic species is banned, there are dedicated sanctuaries that may take the animal in exchange for a usually tax-deductible donation. Petting or road-side zoos are no place for any animal. The credential of the sanctuary or shelter must be carefully checked.
The second, and essential step, is to contact the airlines that service the country of destination to find out the pet-friendliest (KLM hands down). Air carriers have their own regulations concerning a (1) a certificate of health from a USDA accredited veterinarian within 10 days of any travel date; (2) a summer pet embargo when temperatures are forecasted to be above 85F/29.5C at any point on the itinerary (origin, transfer, or final destination); 75F/24C for snub-nose animals; (3) limits on the number of service animals and small pets allowed as carry-on luggage in cabin on a flight, (4) specific air kennel dimensions and strength to ensure the comfort and safety of the animal, and others.
Horses deserve special mention. To move them internationally is generally too expensive. Finding someone willing to buy or adopt a horse and “put it in the pasture” is easy; finding someone physically, mentally, and financially capable of caring for a horse is not. Beware of anyone who wants a horse “for the kids to ride,” because it will be re-sold as quickly as children lose interest. Horses are often victims of neglect and abuse when they fail to meet people’s unreasonable expectations. The owner of a horse should carefully check the potential adopter/buyer’s animal record, his financial ability to support it, and personally tour the stable and check the other horses. When in doubt, the horse is better off taken to a horse-rescue organization or SPCA (with a generous donation) where he or she will be safe until a good home is found.
I have moved multiple pets locally, nationally, and internationally without a single problem. The latest and most challenging experience was to Saudi Arabia. The first obstacle was the country’s limit of two pets per expatriate family; I had 12 at the time. I chose to take the two dogs, because they would be happy anywhere as long as I’m there; my cats, on the other hand, would be better off staying in their familiar Tulsa home, provided I could find a reliable caregiver. Luckily, I was able to strike a deal with a young, responsible woman, who would move into my house (with her own two cats and dog) to care for my cats in exchange for living there free of rent. A special account was created from which she paid all animal expenses. This solution turned out to be a success: The cats thrived under her care; she was able to start saving by not paying rent; and I had the peace of mind of knowing that my pets back in Tulsa were not suffering from my decision and I could enjoy their company anytime I went back.
The two large dogs I took to Saudi Arabia required Veterinary Health Certificates, rabies boosters and other inoculations. The bureaucratic maze was considerable: The certificates had to be authenticated by the Department of Agriculture and by the State Department Authentication Division. Incidentally, the cover letters accompanying each authenticated certificate were signed by the US Secretary of State herself, Condoleezza Rice! Then the Consular Section of the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia had to certify the certificate … You probably guessed it already: Some countries create an obstacle course to discourage the importation of pets. So you proceed to beat them at their game.
At the end of the trip, when the dog, the cat, the parrot … your loving, trusting companion, comes out of the carrier and you are there to meet him or her, there is no better feeling, knowing they are safely with you because you have honored the lifelong commitment; you kept the promise.
Story by Dolores Probasta
