Sad decision made...advice needed!

[EnglishMuffin]

Some of you may remember me posting here before I got Sootie. I'm living in Canada and have been for two years, but I am originally from England. At the time I got Sootica I was pretty sure that my place in Canada was secured and that my permanent residency was just a case of filling in the paperwork...

Well the last couple of months have proved to be a stressful and difficult time and I've made the very sad decision to move back to England, at least temporarily, until I can find a more secure way into the country. It's a real blow for me after having spent two years building a life and settling here. But hey-ho, life happens.

So now I am looking to move back, I'm wondering if anyone has any experience or advice transporting conures across borders? I am planning to take her as my hand luggage in the cabin with me. Any experience or advice would be helpful!

 

[Terry57]

I am so sorry you are going through this. When I was attempting to get my permanent resident status, I remember how stressful that was, and how many hurdles had to be overcome. I have no idea about taking a bird form Canada to England, I would recommend speaking to customs in both countries to see if there is a quarantine period, etc. I hope this goes smoothly for you.

 

[RavensGryf]

I'm sorry to hear about this stressful situation you're going through! I have no idea how it all works, but I want to wish you luck for everything to go smoothly as possible.

 

[Kiwibird]

I am sorry for the situation you're in. I would contact the customs department in England and ask about their requirements for moving to the country with your pet bird (you want to be clear he isn't livestock or for sale, as ridiculous as that may seem, but you can never trust the government pencil pushers to use common sense). I'm guessing he will probably need a vet certification of health and may be subject to a period of quarantine once in the country. Best of luck.

 

[Terry57]

You might want to check with Canada customs as well. I am not sure how it works here, but when I moved to Canada from the US, I had a snake and an iguana, and had to have an officer from US Fish and Wildlife meet me at the border to check my animals and make sure they were legal for me to take them out of the states.

 

[antoinette]

So sad what you are going through
But as you said life goes on
Praying it all works out for you and your fid's
Wishing you all the best

 

[lucy1]

Sorry to hear this, what a massive upheaval for you!

As I'm sure you know, the uk has quite strict quarantine rules. I'm not sure if this link is still up to date, as it is showing as 'archive', but it has contact details for the relevant departments;

http://archive.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/animaltrade/eu/animals/pdf/import-export-of-captive-birds.pdf

Unfortunately Sootie will not be allowed to join you without going through quarantine, which I believe still stands at the 30 days in the link above. That's 30 days in a government quarantine facility, not 30 days with you at home or at a local vet... Also, from what I gather you are unlikely to be able to take her in the cabin with you on a transatlantic flight to the uk, but I'm hopefully wrong in that!

DEFRA have very complicated rules for imports, however, there is a *massive* loophole with importing via the EU. I don't know your personal/financial situation, but it may be a possibility to make a 30 day "quarantine" holiday/stopover in an EU country to avoid the quarantine in the UK. 30 days in a DEFRA facility isn't going to come cheap... Technically if you come via the EU you should still go through quarantine in whatever country you enter, but there are so many loopholes and back doors that as long as you have the required vet checks you can pretty much avoid being separated from your baby.

If you want to PM me I'm more than happy to make any uk calls you need- I can call them for free rather than you pay international call costs x

 

[EnglishMuffin]

Thanks all of your for your kind words and support. This is really a heartbreaking decision. Lucy I'm overwhelmed by your offer to help, thanks so much. I'll PM you in the next couple of days. Thanks again! xo

 

[MonicaMc]

Sootie may require a microchip. I also don't believe you'll be able to take her in cabin with her, since international flights usually require animals to be in cargo.


I hope you are able to get all the necessary paperwork from both countries, plus all the vet checks and everything else that will be required so you can take her with you!

 

[EnglishMuffin]

I have spoken to two different people at United Airways today who have both assured me that she can come in the cabin with me! It will mean flying to London via Newark, instead of direct vancouver to manchester which would be my usual route, but worth it as I think it will be much less stressful if she is with me.

 

[lucy1]

Fantastic! Sometimes I like being wrong