How difficult is it bringing pets with us?

Hi All

When we make the move we have 2 cats Jasper and Bobby and a border collie Luke it goes without saying for those of you that are pet lovers you understand that it would be hard to leave them behind , how difficult is it in bringing them with us and how do the animals cope? I know that in other countries there are a lot of ferrel cats has anybody had any issues when they have brought their pets ?

Any advise would be gratefuly received

Thanks

Sandra

Hello Sandra I myself have not had this experience, but our friends moved to spain ten years ago with two cats. They settled well no problems dying natural deaths last year.
They had them flown in at the time , but I know that was the only thing that had our friends concerned as they were in a pretty bad way once back with them. However within fourth eight hours had settled. I wish you lots of luck and happiness.
I have three dogs and couldn't go anywhere without them!
All the best.

Thanks blackvelvet for your reply, you have given me some reassurance that it could be possible

We brought our 2 border collies over last year twice for 2 months each time. Dogs were fine travelling, lots of info about travel on this link

post4641.html?hilit=Pets#p4641

Both dogs were happy in Spain (think my older arthritic collie preferred it there with the heat) and normally found shade outside during the day. Watch with pools though because my daft collie fell in twice! Best time for walks is early morning or evening, dogs don't like walks in the mid-day sun. They always hug walls for shade when walking. It is nice when out for an evening walk and you come across open air flamenco dancing or a good singer at a pub so stop off for a nightcap with the dogs. Collies like to chase balls though and run lots and there are not too many places to do that. There are open spaces though where ground has been cleared for houses and our dogs enjoy runs there.

Collies are good dogs, they are such good fun.

Hi Laura
Thanks for your post really helpful information , I think our Luke will be one to do the swim in the pool he loves jumping in the river here no matter what the weather, I will read the link you have sent tomorrow , love the sound of stopping off for a nightcap on the way back from the nightly walk

Thanks once again

We drove over 10 years ago with our two cats (aged 4 & 6). Both were OK although a bit cross by the time we arrived having been caged for 22 hours. If I had to do it again I would book into a motel and give them a chance to stretch their legs. They both adjusted to the summer heat really well.

Hi Sharon, thanks for your reply and advise , yes seems a good idea to stop for a break both for the cats and us , good to know they adjusted to the heat well this has been something that has crossed my mind, have you had any problems with them fighting with ferrel cats ?

Thanks

Sandra

Hi Sandra ann. We initially kept them indoors for the first month and then let them out in the garden. We are fortunate enough to have high walls/hedges on 3 sides and having the dogs helped prevent any stray/ferrel cats coming in. One piece of advice we were given was never to leave food outside, we dont anyway, mainly cos of the flies!

Interesting thread. Thanks for starting this.

And for those that drove - did you go through France or ferry to Santander?

sandra ann wrote:Hi Sharon, thanks for your reply and advise , yes seems a good idea to stop for a break both for the cats and us , good to know they adjusted to the heat well this has been something that has crossed my mind, have you had any problems with them fighting with ferrel cats ?

Thanks

Sandra

Our neighbours, who have moved now, had two cats and they seemed fine. They used to come and sleep on our porch in the shade sometimes (The cats not the neighbours LOL) - We are cat people and enjoyed having them. Cats adapt very well and we have found that the feral cats are rarely seen around our houses and although we are only in Spain intermittently we haven't noticed any trouble. As Sharon says as long as food is not left outside and people don't get tempted to feed any stray cats near housing developments, the ferals don't seem to have any reason to bother the domestic cats (or the other way around!). Also being territorial, they should chase off any other cats anyway.
Cats like their creature comforts and know where they are well off - As long as you don't choose to live next to a busy main road ( & that goes for anywhere!), I'm sure they will be OK.

Good luck with your move.

Jan.