Domestic (UK) Cats to Portugal

[shanagarry]

Does anybody have experience of bringing their domestic cats from the UK to Portugal.

We have two British Shorthairs - neutered and all innoculations etc and do not know how they might integrate in the world of feral cats in Carvoeiro? Any advice/guidance would be very welcome.

[maccasa]

So do we - 1 blue, 1 Cream - asked our vet the question last year - basically he didnt recommend it - not only on cost but on hotter climate and diseases which they would not have resistance too. they are both geriatric at 13 and this was his main concern - our other cat is a persian and only 6 so he reckoned he would be ok.
He said he could innoculate over 3 -4 mths for the various tpye of parasitic pests and diseases but stressed that we would have to take them out in Oct/Nov so they would have several months to acclimatise to the higher temperatures.
We are still trying to decide but our feeling are we would rather not bother and therefore carry on "short term commuting" rather than long stays

[dozza]

We had a tabby that we brought over 2 years ago. She just had the necessary injections for the passport, and was flown over. She loved it here, didn't catch any diseases, and died at the ripe old age of 17. She was an out door cat, and had the odd scrap with the locals, but no more than she ever did in the UK. She loved the sun, had no problems with the weather, I'm sure she preferred it to the cold and rain of the UK! I'd say bring your cat over

[maccasa]

Sounds like you had a good experience - the only comment I would make is that the vet said "if they werent pedigree I would say ok!" suggesting "moggies" have more resistance than pedigrees.

I'm not sure about that as we have had both types and never noticed much difference in vet bills - in fact the shortest life of any cat we had was 14 and that was our beloved ginger tom Dougal - our one persian never had a thing wrong with him (apart from hair mats!) until one day at 17 he just had a stroke and went. We even had one burmese who lived with Lukaemia for 13 yrs before it finally got him.

I know that when we decide to come over for good - the cats will come too - so look out Carvoeiro as our Persian is an absolute scrapper - his name's Bugsy and I am sure you can work out what thats short for!!!

[shanagarry]

Thanks Macassa and Dozza for your very helpful insights- our cats are 7 years old and are brother and sister and they certainly do not like the British Winter. They are outdoor cats in the warmer months - once the clocks go back - they don't want to know the outside. We have had them from kittens so looking for another home is a non starter.

Anyway - thank you both again - it's a good starting point and as it wasn't an outright 'don't go there' you've given me/us 'food for thought'.

[blue]

We drove out via the chunnel with our 2 dogs & our 17 year old burmese, she sang loudly most of the way down, we arrived at the end of November to brilliant sunshine which she loved being a sun bunny, but when it got colder she didn't like it very much & spent all her time in front of the fire or wall heater but she used to spend all of the english winter on top of the boiler anyway, & let's face it the english winter goes on for ever. We lost her this year in May she would have been 21 this September & she loved it out here, we never had any problems with other cats, but then she always could take care of herself & of course other cats never came near our garden because of our dogs. As far as diseases are concerned everything you could need for their health care is available here. I'm glad we brought her, my vet advised against it, she really enjoyed her last few years out here with us.

[maccasa]

We drove out via the chunnel with our 2 dogs & our 17 year old burmese, she sang loudly most of the way down, we arrived at the end of November to brilliant sunshine which she loved being a sun bunny, but when it got colder she didn't like it very much & spent all her time in front of the fire or wall heater but she used to spend all of the english winter on top of the boiler anyway, & let's face it the english winter goes on for ever. We lost her this year in May she would have been 21 this September & she loved it out here, we never had any problems with other cats, but then she always could take care of herself & of course other cats never came near our garden because of our dogs. As far as diseases are concerned everything you could need for their health care is available here. I'm glad we brought her, my vet advised against it, she really enjoyed her last few years out here with us.

Yep sounds like a good experinec and a typical burmese - noisy, love the heat, wonderful pieces of feline - weve had 3

[maccasa]

Hi shanagarry - that sounds promising - young and healthy is a very good start - best of luck - keep me informed. This exchange has given us further room for thought as well

[shanagarry]

Hi Macassa

We are aiming at April with a backstop of September 2010 to move - but getting them there will need some planning. We have done the boat (Plymouth/Portsmouth - Santander) several times but keeping them boxed up for 20 hours plus the 10 hours drive to Carvoeiro - cannot be good for them!

Once we decide, I will let you know through here.

Thanks again.

[blue]

We loved our drive down with the animals, we did a 2 night stop in pre-booked animal friendly hotels & everything went brilliantly. We couldn't do the boat as cats have to stay in the car & she would have been so stressed, likewise couldn't do plane as our very nervous German Shepherd would have ripped her cage apart. so driving was the only option but we planned it well & it was a lovely start to our new lives.

[shanagarry]

Blue - I suppose the long drive is an option, as we live on the South Coast - if only we could avoid France

We have plenty of options/suggestions from the answers we have received here - thanks to all.