Originally from Uskudar, I now live the life of a British short haired guy. -Gofret the Cat
You're moving to the UK and want to bring your furry friend with you. Congratulations on making this decision because it's a bit tedious and quite expensive. Due to this, some people give up their pets, some people entrust them to someone else, and some even leave them on the street, although it's really painful. There's no option like "I'll buy him a ticket, he'll sit in my lap" like other European countries. You can only bring your little buddy here like a cargo item! At this point, some tests and health documents need to be prepared, which takes at least four months. I'll tell you all the details so you don't have any setbacks.
All pets coming from Turkey to the UK are considered cargo and bonded. In the beginning, I'll let you know that the method I prefer is the most expensive one, but even though other options are cheaper, I decided that this would be the most comfortable and fastest way for my cat, so that's how it worked out.
I brought Gofret (which means Waffer, btw) from Istanbul to London in November 2021, and I went through a lot of stress before I got him. With good planning and good people, you get through this process without any accidents. It's worth mentioning that you should start the process four months before you bring your pet here. I have to say, if you're thinking of taking it a few weeks or a month later, it won't work.
The date of my arrival in England wasn't set yet, but I expected to be there by Christmas. I got the paperwork in July and brought my cat in November without any problems. Since you only get a test and a vaccine before you sign with the shipping companies, even if you start the process before everything is unclear, you don't have much to lose since these tests and vaccines aren't expensive. The cost is nothing compared to what you'd pay transport companies :) but if you're late, you're in big trouble. I want to mention the professionalism of the cargo companies and my veterinarian's support. It's a team effort, not just you.That way, you won't be so tired.
Entry rules for pets in the UK
Here’s what you need to do before we move on to the steps you need to follow to bring your pet: the pet owner or companion must fly within five days of bringing the pet. You should try to get tickets for the same day or even the same flight if you can. I'll include flight info at the end. Here's what the UK's pet entry rules are:
Step 1: Microchip
Microchips must be inserted in your pet, and passports must have dates.
Step 2: Rabies Vaccine
You'll get your cat or dog vaccinated against rabies and you'll wait at least one month after that.
Step 3: Rabies Titration Test
Once the 30-day waiting period is over, the vet will take a blood sample and an accredited lab will run a rabies titration test. Only a private lab in Ankara does this test. Blood collection, transfer, and sharing of results will be handled by the veterinarian. When you're only going to England, tell your vet you'll need rabies titration. It's best to go to a vet who knows what they're doing. Yenitepe Veterinarian is definitely a good choice if you're in Istanbul.
Step 4: Three-Month Waiting Period
After giving the blood sample, you have to wait three months. Your report may have been out before, but you have to wait three months. While you wait for the deadline to run out, start researching and even contacting pet carriers. Tell them about your process, share the estimated flight time, ask if there's anything you missed. I'll share the details about the transport company.
Step 5: Dog Internal Parasite Vaccine
Within five days before the flight, dogs must be vaccinated against internal parasites. Cats don't need internal parasite vaccinations, this item is only for dogs.
That's it.
Approximately 4-5 days before your flight date, you need a health certificate. The transport company you'll work with in Turkey will help you. Once all the documents are ready, the transport company in Turkey will send them to the UK. Additionally, the Turkish company will arrange your pet's container. Some videos show shipping container features, but you don't need to worry about them because, like I said, the shipping company will handle it.
What are the transport companies I have worked with?
The decision I made to work with D Cargo was the right one. It was a thousand dollars last year for my four and a half kilos cat.
As the carrier in Turkey handled my cat's flight to London, I didn't know I had to sign up with another carrier when it arrived in London, so I panicked once again. This company's job was to take the animal from the plane to the airport's animal reception center (HARC) and handle the paperwork. The Turkish cargo company had previously worked with a cargo company (James Cargo) in England, so I asked them to contact them right away. Maybe I should have handled the UK process myself if I were working with another cargo company, but D Cargo has been great. The shipping company in England charged me 450 pounds. Also, I paid 150 pounds extra for them to bring my cat home. I'll explain why.
Here are some details:
My flight was leaving at 14:55, so we met with someone from the cargo company in Turkish Airlines' cargo hold at 9 am. We entrusted Gofret to those in the cargo hold of the transport container brought by the company, and began our journey to our own terminal. Even after years, I will never forget that moment. You can't imagine leaving this little buddy behind!
Don't give your pet sedatives to avoid fear, because they also look at your pet's general health at the animal reception center. He can be quarantined if they think he's sick. Don't take this risk.
Try to purchase your ticket for THY's TK1971 flight, which departs at 14:55 from Istanbul to London. As a result, you'll board the same plane as your pet and arrive in London at the same time. When the pet arrives at Heathrow, it will be transferred to the animal reception center. The unpleasant thing here is that they can observe the animals for up to six hours.
There is no waiting area around this center, and it is quite far from the terminal where you landed. No one can guarantee that transactions will take just a few hours, or that they will take hours. This is why I paid an extra £150 for door-to-door delivery to James Cargo in the UK. I would be very tired if I went home, left my suitcases, and then came back to the airport without a car. Several hours later, I contacted the cargo company to find out how Gofret was doing. I was told my cat was in good condition and that the paperwork was being reviewed.
"There was already stress on the plane, what will he do without food or water in a place he doesn't know?" Don't be scared, because as soon as the animal gets to the HARC, they give it food and water. On the top of his cage, I taped his favorite wet food. Because it's a small package, they said it wouldn't be a problem. I think they gave it there because there wasn't any food. There's already a water reservoir in the shipping container, so he won't get dehydrated. Also, I put a toilet pad in the cage. Definitely put a toilet pad like this ;)
Although our flight landed at 17:00, Gofret was coming home at 11 pm... Since we started early in the morning, he was exhausted when we got there, and his voice was hoarse. Of course, when he got home, the world was mine. The four-month process just evaporated at that moment! That night he didn't eat or sleep, but when I woke up in the morning he ate his food, used the new toilet, and smelled around :D It only took a day for him to adjust. The only thing I did that day was go house shopping and spend time with him. I brought my cat's bed because it had a familiar smell, so it felt safer. Pack the favorite toy even if you can't bring bed.
We remember this one as a memorable adventure.
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