This is a long term plan (2-3 years away yet), but Chris and I are hoping to move to Switzerland for a year as there is a place there that Chris would really love to work at.

We would want to take Lillie with us so we are trying to work out how much it will cost us ( I know prices may change in that time) and the best way to do it so that we have lots of time to save and prepare.

Would love to hear any recommendations for transport companies - whether its better for her to go by land or air and any idea of prices. Also any personal experiences would be good - what to do and what not to do.

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Hello,

Exciting thoughts about moving to Switzerland! I live in the French Alps and love it.
A lot of Brits out here have dogs and cats that they have brought over from the UK, and they are driven over (normally with the owners). I would speak to your vet about vaccinations, pet passport etc.
If you are flying the cat - you will have to look at airlines such as BA. I know my sister flew her cat back from Australia to the UK and although the actual flight was not too expensive, he had to be checked out my a vet at Heathrow and that cost a lot of money. I'm not sure if this would happen flying to Switzerland, and it would be best to look at BA and Swiss Air's websites. I don't think you can normally take pets on the no frills airlines - Easyjet etc.

Sorry not to be able to answer your question directly, but hope I have helped a bit.

When we moved from the UK to Spain, which is about twice the distance of your move, we drove ourselves and the cats. We did it in 2 blocks of 2 days. Day 1: Cornwall to Folkestone. Day2: Folkestone, through the tunnel, to Charente Maritime in France. Spent 2 weeks in France. Day 3: France to just north of Madrid. Day 4: Madrid to Malaga.

Milly is one of the noisiest travellers I've ever known, but she settled down on the first day after about an hour, and on subsequent days she only moaned for about 10 minutes. Sam got a bit grumpy for the first hour or so of day 4, but he settled down once he realised making a fuss wasn't going to achieve anything. So, Milly slept in her box on the passenger seat next to me, and Sam was in his box in the back with my OH, with the door open and being made a fuss of most of the time.

If you haven't taken Lillie abroad before, you'll need to get her vaccinated against rabies and have the vet issue her with a pet passport. I don't remember how much this cost, but if it had been a significant amount, I would remember! From January next year, it will be much easier to travel between the UK and other countries because pets will no longer need a blood test to re-enter the UK. There's advice on taking pets abroad on the Direct.gov website. Make sure you click the link under "Pet travel rules are changing" on the right to see the new rules.

We found it really easy, to be honest. They were quite happy and settled most of the time, and they enjoyed their 2 weeks in France so much that we wished we'd stayed longer.

Having flown my cat from Japan to Korea (took half a day because I had to fly in Japan first) and traveled with various cats in cars, I would recommend driving. Ki did NOT enjoy her flight. She never liked her quick trips to the vet in Japan either. I tried carrying her carrier while walking, while strapped to my bicycle, and in a cab -- she moaned no matter what. But longer car trips with other cats, they were eventually lulled to sleep by the car.

Whatever you do, though, pack LOTS of patience. If kitty doesn't stop yowling/moaning, then you'll just have to tough it out.

Good luck! Sounds like a great opportunity!

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Thank you so much for the replies.

I think I will look into us driving ourselves based on the replies. Lillie has always been pretty good in the car, she will talk to us, but is not too bad.

Strange question - what do you do about them going to the loo during the day?

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puppy wee pads worked for us

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