Forum Post

International Pet Relocation

Last post 04-24-2008 7:28 AM by TheDogHouseBCMPD. 12 replies.
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  • 04-04-2008 9:59 AM

    International Pet Relocation

    Help !!

    I enlisted  the services of an international pet relocation company to arrange for my dogs to moved from the US to the UK

    We had blood tests taken by our vets who them sent them to a lab for processing.

    The blood samples have to be sent from the lab to Kansas State University as this is the only place that is recognized in the US.

    We received the required certificate back on one of the dogs but the second sample was not sent on by the lab to KSU,

    This will mean that our second dog will spend 4 months in the us or in the uk under quarantine.

    Does anyone have any experiance of this and do i have any recoarse on the labs failure? 

     

     

     

     

     

     

    cheers Scott
    • Post Points: 0
  • 04-04-2008 11:11 AM In reply to dmdusa@msn.com

    Re: International Pet Relocation

    I would say it's likely not JUST the lab's fault but your own vet should bear some of the responsibility.

    Typically it's rabies titers that are in question here and the ONLY place I know of who does rabies titer testing IS Kansas State.  I would have thot your vet would know that -- sending it via Antech or some other lab only increases the amount of time and the cost (because then the lab charges to send it on to Kansas).

    I have a dog who can never be vax'd again (Billy -- the one who had IMHA - which you may not have known about but he's in the archives here) and in order for me to get the State of Florida to waiver him having rabies vax, my vet had to send his blood TO Kansas, and then my vet had to deal with the State for me to get the waiver.

    My vet told me flatly when we did this, that he wasn't even going to mess with sending it to Antech and then having them forward it to Kansas, but rather that he would send it to Kansas himself. 

    I am a bit surprised your vet didn't know this -- it's well known that the ONLY place that does rabies testing is Kansas and then you have to have some valid reason for doing it (that the vet has to certify) is either you are travelling to a zero tolerance country/place for rabies or, like with Billy, that there is a life or death reason why the dog CAN NOT be vax'd.

    The quarantine in the UK is brutal - at least when I married my husband (who is a Scot) 11 years ago, one of the reasons we decided to live HERE rather than there was b/c of the impact quarantine would have on our dogs.  And at that point once they are in quarantine you can't even SEE them or visit them -- they allow NO contact at all with the dog.  You may want to check that carefully before you decide whether or not TO take the dog with you at all.


    • Post Points: 0
  • 04-04-2008 11:29 AM In reply to dmdusa@msn.com

    Re: International Pet Relocation

    Wow!  This post is oddly a Godsend to me!  I am considering moving to Germany with my 2 dogs.  And while I know there isn't a quarantine in Germany I am quite fearful about the very off possiblity of landing in the UK or another country requiring rabies quarantine.  I didn't know any place did rabies titers testing!

    Thanks for posting this!  Just good information to have and I will go through that expense just on the off chance I would have to end up in the UK before getting to Germany.

    • Post Points: 0
  • 04-07-2008 6:00 PM In reply to calliecritturs

    Re: International Pet Relocation

    Well I dont agree with you 100% on this. Unfortunatly I dont have a choice on returning to the UK and my wife and daughter have clearly told me that leaving the dogs behind is not an option!! I do agree that the vet should have been more proactive and sent the blood work direct to Kansas State University.

    Indeed sending the samples to a lab prioro then sending the samples to KSU not only caused a delay but also resulted in the lab not sending one of our two dogs samples to KSU.  This is despite the paperwork from the lab clearly showing that the sample should be sent to KSU.

    The net result is that this whole episode will cost several thousand $$$ and heatache for us all.

     

    For what it is worth if you are looking at sending your pet back to the UK from the US get your vet to send the sample direct to KSU  http://www.vet.ksu.edu/depts/dmp/service/rabies/index.htm send it via a courier service and follow up that the sample has been received. They can be contacted at  rabies@vet.k-state.edu

    For additional information on FAQ see http://www.vet.ksu.edu/depts/dmp/service/rabies/rabfaq.htm

    The people at KSU have been fantastic in helping get the missing sample re processed and answered emails very quickly.

    I have to say a huge thanks to them in understanding the problems that we have experianced.

    Further details on the UK Pet passport scheme  http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/index.htm

    If I take anything away from this it will be that I should have kept on at my vet and pushed harder for a full explanation on why the test results were not received at the same time.  It does not mean that it is my fault as it was the lab that failed to process one of the blood samples properly and send it to KSU.

     

     

     

    cheers Scott
    • Post Points: 0
  • 04-07-2008 6:08 PM In reply to dmdusa@msn.com

    Re: International Pet Relocation

    Scott, I have no ideas on how to help you I just wanted to add my "that stinks"  I'm so sorry for you & your poor Lab that will possibly face quarantine.

    • Post Points: 0
  • 04-07-2008 6:21 PM In reply to gradyupmybutt

    Re: International Pet Relocation

    Many thanks.

    The sad thing is that we had 2 dogs tested.  A Golden retreiver where everything went great and a shetland sheepdog where the whole thing fell down.  The choices are now financial and we can take the Golden no problem but the shetland could end up having to stay as the differance in shipping is significant. 

     

    cheers Scott
    • Post Points: 0
  • 04-07-2008 6:28 PM In reply to dmdusa@msn.com

    • stardog85
    • Top 150 Contributor
    • Joined on 09-10-2007
    • South Carolina, USA
    • Posts 1,367
    • Points 105

    Re: International Pet Relocation

     Is there anyway you could find someone to foster the sheltie until s/he is cleared for flying to the UK w/o quarantine?  Perhaps even a local rescue would be willing to help since it would be a finite timeline?


    Erin, the Amazing Maggie Mae, and Super Puppy Ziva


    • Post Points: 0
  • 04-07-2008 6:48 PM In reply to stardog85

    Re: International Pet Relocation

    Thats a great idea.  Any ideas on where I start looking?  The problem that we have is that we dont have family here in the US and that we dont have a huge circle of friends that we can ask.

     

    cheers Scott
    • Post Points: 0
  • 04-07-2008 10:51 PM In reply to dmdusa@msn.com

    • stardog85
    • Top 150 Contributor
    • Joined on 09-10-2007
    • South Carolina, USA
    • Posts 1,367
    • Points 105

    Re: International Pet Relocation

    http://www.assa.org/rescue.html 

    The link above will get you to a national listing of sheltie rescue organizations.  I would contact a few local rescues and see if they might be open to temp fostering.  Be sure to give them the background on your situation and a specific request for help (i.e. expected timeline, etc.).


    Erin, the Amazing Maggie Mae, and Super Puppy Ziva


    • Post Points: 0
  • 04-08-2008 9:01 AM In reply to stardog85

    Re: International Pet Relocation

    Also, whereabouts are you located, and is the dog friendly with strange dogs? 

    Mischeif N Miracles, CGC, RE (PRT, 10/13/2003)
    Libby's Monkey N The Middle (Chinese Crested, 1/26/2008)
    Teenie Weenie at the Bridge (Dachshund, ???-12/28/2007)
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  • 04-08-2008 8:18 PM In reply to jennie_c_d

    Re: International Pet Relocation

    We are located in NJ (Union) area.

     He is good with other dogs and lives with our golden who is set to go on the 7th Aug. 

    cheers Scott
    • Post Points: 0
  • 04-23-2008 4:57 PM In reply to dmdusa@msn.com

    Re: International Pet Relocation - The best news ever!!

    So - After getting my head around that we were going to have to leave our shetland sheepdog behind due to the increased shipping costs caused by the failure in the lab to send on the blood work to Kansas State  the we received a call from the Lab to advise us that they would cover the increased costs for shipping to the UK.

    To recap and to save any other dog lover the heartache Follow the instructions below::

     

    1. Make sure that when your vet draws the blood work that they send the samples directly to KSU.  The staff are very helpfull and very prompt at answering any question.

    2.  Export and Regulatory Testing Policy

    Due to stringent regulations for export of animals, KSVDL will be unable to accept test requests that omit critical information needed to fulfill travel requirements (i.e. unlabeled tubes, draw dates, name of the animal). The critical information necessary is specific to the test(s) and/or the travel destination of the animal. Clients are responsible to determine the critical information needed specific to the testing requested prior to submitting the samples to KSVDL. Tubes, at a minimum, must be labeled legibly with the animal’s name and/or permanent identification (i.e. microchip number, tattoo, tag number). If the tube(s) and submission forms(s) cannot be “unequivocally associated,” KSVDL, in the best interest of the client/owner safety and for reasons of legal liability, will cancel the testing request. KSVDL is the testing laboratory only for these tests and is not given authority by state officials, USDA or other countries to decide if omitted, incorrectly written information is acceptable for travel.

    3. Further sample submition information

    4 Paperwork Required.  Complete prior to vet visit and print

    5. Note the sample blood work must be sent overnight by a courier to KSU ADDRESS

    Kansas State University • College of Veterinary Medicine • 101 Trotter Hall • Manhattan KS 66506-5601

    6.  Note allow additional time when starting this process.  I would start a min 8 months prior to the date of shipping as dogs can fail the test even though their rabies shots are upto date,  starting a couple of month before the 6 month rule will allow time for a retest if a dog has to receive further shots.

     

    Please note that the above is from personal experiance and meant as a guide.  EOE...

     

    cheers Scott
    • Post Points: 0
  • 04-24-2008 7:28 AM In reply to dmdusa@msn.com

    Re: International Pet Relocation - The best news ever!!

    That's wonderful!  I'm so glad you get to have her w/ you!

    ~Steph



    "Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea." - Robert A. Heinlein



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