I realised the other day that I forgot to mention how everything was going with Oscar-cat and his transition to moving overseas with us. Let me just start by announcing this: SENDING A PET OVERSEAS IS FREAKING EXPENSIVE. Okay, I feel better already. Well, I don't really - I'm still in a bit of shock as to how much this is costing us, but you do what you've got to do when it's for your family.
Yes, we consider him to be a part of our family. No, he's not just a cat. Yes, we could have left him behind and saved some money. No, we're not those kind of people. Seriously, you should hear some of the things people say when we explain how difficult this process has been for us. They're beyond obnoxious. Do they think we don't know that this is a costly venture that not everyone would choose to pay out for? Do they think we don't know that we could have an entire farm full of kittens for what we're paying for Oscar? He's our pet. When we adopted him over here back in 2008, this was one of the decisions we were prepared for.
Okay, rant over. To summarise what's happened so far, here's a bit of background information for you:
Two years ago, I researched the cost involved in having Oscar imported. You paid a fairly hefty sum in British Pounds for his export certificate, his specially made travel crate and his actual plane ticket. And then, upon arrival back in Sydney, you paid the Australian quarantine agency a per day fee {like a boarding fee} which would cover his mandatory 30-day stay there. Back then, the cost was pretty reasonable: around $15 per day, in Australian dollars. Still a bit hefty, yes, but it's pretty comparable to if you were simply boarding a pet in a kennel.
Unfortunately, when I got more quotes in the past few months, the prices had skyrocketed. I'm not just talking an increase of a couple of dollars, I'm talking over double the original cost. And here's the problem: it's not like you can shop around and get a better deal. Quarantine is quarantine. You pay, or you don't take your pet home with you.
This threw a few spanners in the works, especially in budgeting terms, but we'd already made our minds up. Let's face it, we knew the day we brought his gorgeous kitten face home with us, that he'd be ours. Always. No getting around it. I mean: LOOK AT HIM. And he's gotten even more handsome as he grows up.
Fast forwarding to now: we have his flight paid for. We have a company organising his carry case. We've done all his shots. We have his final veterinary visit booked for next month, which Jase is in charge of chauffeuring. His place is booked in the quarantine cattery back in Sydney. He's all set to go. We've timed our own travels so time up perfectly with his release from quarantine. We fly home from Honolulu and pick him up that very same afternoon.
I know we're doing the right thing by sending him home - but I still have The Guilt about doing it. He'll be travelling by himself, he'll be looked after by strangers for an entire month, and he'll exit all of that in a very hot Australian December to a brand new place to live. I plan on spending as much quality time with him this week as I can.. because I know how much I'll be missing my little man for the next two months.
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17 comments:
he is adorable tho!!! can ur family visit him while he is in quarantine?? it is worth it. pets are part of the family and dont let anyone tell u otherwise.... i wonder if oscar will keep his british accent??? hope all goes well, if i lived in sydney, id visit oscar!!
I hope he trip goes well for Oscar!
I nearly started crying :( Of COURSE Oscar has to go home, too. It's the only things stopping us getting a pet here-- the cost of getting it home. There's no way we'd get one, and then give it up when we leave. Nope. Not a chance.
I'm very impressed with how well you've timed it-- the same afternoon! That's awesome! See, your planning pays off :)
Safe travels, Oscar!
Aly,
I have found people are generally rude and obnoxious when they are not "animal lovers" I've had people say some really ridiculous things to me about my cats and dog and I find it offensive and generally quite off-putting.
Pets are every bit as much of the family as the next person in the bunch.
I can only imagine the guilt! I get guilt leaving my dog with my mum for the night if I stay in the city. He'll be okay though, it'll be so sweet when you get to see him at the end of your trip! :)
He's going to be telling you all about his adventures for the next long while!
This is so heartbreaking... I never understand how people can say "it's just a cat", a pet is a MEMBER OF THE FAMILY and it's equally as heartbreaking to have to be separated, especially knowing he doesn't understand... awww, I would probably bankrupt myself if it meant Rose would be safe, okay and looked after!
Aww, poor Oscar! But after a couple months of upheaval he will get to be back with his people, and that will make it all worth it. We would absolutely do the same for Montana, no matter the cost.
oh that nose!
He will probably be mad at you for a little while. And then forget all about it because his brain is the size of a walnut.
:)
I've said it before and I'll say it again. I see way too many animals surrendered because their owners are moving interstate or overseas. A lot of the time, those animals don't make it. The world needs more people like you guys who are willing to do this. To hell with the haters!
I'll chat to my Quarantine friend and see if she can look out for him :)
Oscar is SOOOO pretty and adorable!!! I totally understand paying the $$ and doing all this, as a pet lover myself :-) They really ARE part of the family!!
I hope Oscar will take all those changes well. I am so glad you are not one of those people leaving behind pets and that you considered this when you first decided to get a cat! I really want to get a cat but will wait until I am a little more settled.
Oh goodness. Living abroad is something we've talked about, but I could never do it without our puppy. Definitely necessary, even with the expense. I hope it all goes well.
Oscar is so beautiful! I know it will be so hard for you to know he is on his own. But, although you will miss him so very much for that month, you will have the rest of his life to share with him. So, in the long run, what is a few weeks?
People can be so obnoxious. Don’t they understand that pets are family? When my cat was so sick this summer, and had accidents all over the house, someone asked me if I was going to keep him? I almost smacked them!
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WOW your cat is adorable
Oh sweetie. I totally understand, even though I am not a cat person.
Our little dog broke her leg, it cost thousands of dollars in micro surgery and I had to take time off work to care for her.
People told me that we could have bought a car or had an international holiday for what we paid and should have just had her put down.
For a broken leg.
I am astounded by some peoples attitudes... Oscar is part of your family and I hope that he has a safe and happy trip.
He's lucky he's cute!
I know what you mean about calling Oscar-Cat your family. Andrew and I actually refer to the dogs as our "babies" and would do anything to be sure they're with us for as long as possible. I can't believe people would suggest leaving that gorgeous kitty behind! I guess some people really just don't get it.
Wow, I never realised there'd be so many hoops you have to jump though! I think what you're doing is amazing. There should be more people like you!
I reckon I'd have a good life if I came back as a handsome kitty with you guys as my owner! hehe xx
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