Moving to Singapore with a small dog and a cat - hard?

[skyescott]

Hi

My husband and I are planning to move to Singapore in August, but we have a cocker spaniel dog and a small cat. Does anyone know how problematic this is going to be? Both animals already have micro chips and "passports".
Please help, as bit worried, can't bear to leave them behind, just couldn't do it! Pussy cat is a rescue too and would feel deserted. Thanks!!

[cjeffery]

http://www.petmovers.com.sg/

these seem pretty good. I am also moving to Singapore and have a dog and 2 cats. The dog has been wilting under the sun this week and I've made the heart wrenching decision not to take them and to have them rehomed... I think they would be happier in the English climes.

People have told me that is really easy, but I don't know whether I could subject them to the journey. I think dogs are a lot easier to deal with as we'll be living in a condo.... my two very independant moggies I don't think would like to be cooped up!

good luck.

Claire

[micknlea]

Shouldn't be too hard to do, depends on where you are coming from and what they are used to,and of course how old and set in their ways they are (ie. climate and environment..garden, house, flat etc) It also depends on where you are going to live whether they will take animals, particularly dogs, but small dogs are normally fine, as are cats. Check it out with your housing agent if you have one already.

If you have a cat I would recommend that you bring it if is used to being indoors all the time. I would not recommend Singapore as a place to have a cat that is used to wandering around outside. In most cases there are not many places to wander, and secondly lots of people here don't like wandering cats and tend to report them as strays.

Having said that please don' t let me put you off. We have two cats here that we got from the Cat Welfare Society and they love it here, they are now both indoor cats, something I would never dreamt of having before coming to Singapore. They love it.

Good luck with your move.

PS the recommendation from previous poster about petmovers is good...they seem to be really good and helpful too.

[skyescott]

Thanks for the tips! I'm afraid leaving them behind is not really an option . We live in UK at the moment and the dog is 4 and cat 2 years old. We have had dog since puppy and he has flown before when we moved to Sweden for 6 months. Cat we rescued from RSPCA six months ago and although she is currently an outdoor cat (who spends most of her time inside, asleep on my ned anyway ), I think she could probably adjust. Not found anywhere to live yet, any recommendations? We live in a medium size house (3 bedroom) with garden now and similar would be good. Any tips are greatly appreciated.

[skyescott]

If cat got out but had a collar on, might she still be picked up as a stray?

[micknlea]

If cat got out but had a collar on, might she still be picked up as a stray?

Your cat may be still be picked up in the street as a stray despite having a collar and tag on...they are not too discriminatory here! They may still end up at the compound.

One of our cats did go walking one day...inevitable really, what cat wouldn't try and investigate its neighbourhood...she ended up in one of our neighbours places...fortunately he rang me as she had made it into his kitchen! He rang me because she had a tag with name and phone number on it...a big recommendation (but cats being cats do tend to get rid of their collars if they can...and sometimes by acciedent...so microchipping is a recommendation)

[micknlea]

Thanks for the tips! I'm afraid leaving them behind is not really an option . We live in UK at the moment and the dog is 4 and cat 2 years old. We have had dog since puppy and he has flown before when we moved to Sweden for 6 months. Cat we rescued from RSPCA six months ago and although she is currently an outdoor cat (who spends most of her time inside, asleep on my ned anyway ), I think she could probably adjust. Not found anywhere to live yet, any recommendations? We live in a medium size house (3 bedroom) with garden now and similar would be good. Any tips are greatly appreciated.

I am sure that you can find somewhere that will suit you and your pets. They are not too old not too adjust. The heat may wear on them a bit to start with, but after a while they adapt just like you will. It will just mean a little adaption for all of you.

Sorry can't help with the homesearch, it is so dependant on price etc here, and where you work etc etc. If you have an agent to help you tell them your needs in detail and they will help you. a lot depends on your budget.

[Poppyc]

Hi

We moved from Scotland nearly 2 years ago with our West Highland Terrier who was 10 at the time . We were really worried about the flight and how she would adjust to the heat . We should not have worried at all she was as bright as a button when she came off the flight and she has adjusted to the heat no problem . We do however walk her earlier in the morning and in the evening when it is cooler, the vets here are really good and coming from the UK your dog will not have to go into quarantine. As long as you mention to the agent when you are looking for condo that you have a dog there should be no problems. I am really glad we brought our dog as we did think about leaving her behind due to her age . Hope this helps

[skyescott]

Thanks for the tips guys. Both animals have microchips, so I think you have helped cement my decision, will bring them along. Can't bear to be without them

[flyingceline]

Hi, I have a slightly odd question to ask: what's the policy on picking up behind your pet? Do you have to carry a bucket and a sponge if he pees against a wall???
Thanks