Dog-friendly Holidays By Train – SINGAPORE – Photos show Jackie waiting by the iconic canals of Venice, posing outside the legendary Colosseum, and even gazing at Michelangelo’s famous David’s Drier at Florence’s Galleria Accademia museum.
Apart from what tourists usually do in this destination, Jackie is no ordinary tourist – she is a two-year-old West Highland Terrier from Singapore.
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Meanwhile, Austrian shepherds have rolled in the fields of Austria, hiked the mountains of Norway and camped in the wilderness in the majestic fabric of Italy’s Dolomites.
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Far from living the life of a dog, these lucky Singaporean pups accompany their owners on world tours and leave picture-perfect moments in the hearts and memories of the village and their families despite the many obstacles involved in bringing them. From to destination country. .
While official statistics on pets entering and leaving Singapore were not available at the time of reporting, veterinary clinics and pet transporters told The Straits Times that they are seeing a surge of interest from owners who want to bring their furry companions to other countries.
Attributed to an increase in people taking their pets on vacation and social media trends, the provider has seen an increase in owners requesting its services after the Covid-19 measures were lifted. It received up to five applications a week during that period, compared to five to 10 applications a year before the pandemic.
Jackie’s owners, Mr Ang Chun Boon, a finance manager, and Ms Pravina, a compliance manager, both 33, told ST they had always planned to take her on holiday.
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“We didn’t really feel good leaving Jackie behind and we wanted to experience exploring a new country together with her,” they said in an interview via Instagram.
“He is very attached to us, and we never wish we had ‘abandoned’ him,”
Ms Prabina and Jackie in a carrier at Changi Airport on March 7, 2023, on their way to a flight to Italy. Photo: JACKIE.THE.WESTIE/INSTAGRAM
“I think he definitely enjoys lots of walks, meetings, greetings and being petted by lots of people,” they said, praising the country’s pet-friendly culture as a “wonderful experience”.
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“We’ve never had a problem getting into trattorias, osterias, or even fine dining. We’ve even been able to go on a gondola ride together in Venice!”
During the trip, Jackie’s daily walk took longer than usual, and her owners took her cues and adjusted their activity levels accordingly.
Four-year-old Freckles’ maiden voyage was to Norway in June 2022 with her owner, Mrs Shirlene Ang and her husband.
Ms Ang, 33, a real estate agent, told ST that Freckles enjoys hiking and outdoor activities in Singapore, traversing Clementi Forest and Bukit Brown.
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“We always planned to travel with him because we are avid travelers – even before we had him – and we treated him like our child,” she said.
Ms Ang got freckles in 2019 and traveled to neighboring countries without her pets. She said the short duration of the trip was not worth the hassle of transporting the dog.
Covid-19 threw a wrench in Freckle’s plans to take a long vacation, but he “jumped at the first opportunity” when he was allowed to travel, planning a trip to Norway.
“It must have felt surreal the first time – he loves mountains and nature, which we don’t find in Singapore. And sharing the joy with him is something that words can’t fully describe.”
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Ms Ang said she wants to continue walking Freckles as long as she is healthy, as the pet likes to travel and camp on holidays, which can be physically taxing.
“We love the outdoors and that’s why we decided to find a breed that is energetic and good for adventure,” he said. “Traveling with a dog is not easy. Almost the whole trip is planned around it, and you have to do a lot of research… but it’s worth it for us.”
But the road to that perfect vacation with a beloved pet isn’t easy. A supplier, who did not want to be named, said 90 percent of owners interested in taking their pets on vacation abandon the idea after learning about the process.
Taking a pet abroad for a holiday of less than two months requires an official export when imported into the country of destination.
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These requirements include the relevant licenses, documentation, vaccinations, health tests and veterinary certificates, all of which must be approved by the authorities in each country, and each document may differ in terms of both the process and the period of validity.
This can be difficult, as each country has its own specific categories, restrictions and medical conditions, which may differ from Singapore.
A detailed breakdown of the process and requirements in Singapore can be found on the Animal and Veterinary Services website.
Ms. Pravina and Mr. Ang and Jackie on a terrace in Florence, Italy, March 11, 2023. Photo: JACKIE.THE.WESTIE/INSTAGRAM
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In Singapore, if all export documents are completed and submitted in advance, check-in and departure of pets and owners can proceed as normal, including verification of export documents at the check-in counter. This was the case with both Mr. Freckles and Jackie.
These popular holiday destinations are often chosen because pets exported from Singapore do not require quarantine, meaning owners can start their travels straight away. These include destinations such as Austria, France, Germany, Italy, South Korea, Japan and Hong Kong. However, these animals are subject to Singapore animal import regulations on the repatriation route.
Also, whether pets are allowed in the airplane cabin or checked as extra baggage in the baggage compartment depends on the airline and destination country, each pet has its own restrictions based on size, breed and weight.
Pet owners going on short vacations with their pets usually need to be on the same flight as their companion in the destination country.
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This is in contrast to pets traveling as checked baggage, where pets must book their own tickets and may arrive separately before or after the owner. According to pet carriers, this option is more applicable to those who are traveling or traveling long-term.
Additionally, finding pet-friendly accommodations and services in the destination country presents additional hoops for these owners to jump through.
Ms. Pravina and Mr. Ang and Jackie at Piazza Navona on March 9, 2023 in Rome, Italy. Photo: JACKIE.THE.WESTIE/INSTAGRAM
The Mount Pleasant Veterinary Group says its clinics have prepared pets for such trips, but they are not common.
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The preparation process includes an assessment of the pet’s medical condition, which indicates any trip-related concerns to the owner. They advise owners if a pet may need anxiety medication.
Dr. Brian Lunn, chief veterinarian at Amber Vet and Amber Cat Vet, advises owners to enlist the services of a pet export agent to assist in the process, as requirements vary from state to state and can change at any time.
“Owners who want to oversee this process themselves should do their own research, contact the AVS and the respective embassies and be very clear about all the requirements as well as the timeline. As a veterinarian, we carry the necessary health tests, certificates. , pet Examination, vaccination and treatment under the guidance of animal export agent or pet owner,” he said.
A Mount Pleasant spokeswoman said the stress of travel, especially if the pet has to be kept in a trunk, is a concern, adding that the entire process may not be suitable for pets who may have pre-existing conditions, require medication or are nervous. Many airlines have implemented strict restrictions on allowing pets in the same cabin as the owner.
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A Central Veterinary Clinic spokesperson told ST that while these trips can be fun for pet owners, it can be less so for the animals due to the stress involved. The animals are thriving normally, and some may be experiencing stress due to environmental changes, the spokesperson said.
Also, even if pets are medically examined before travel, there is always a risk that pets may carry infectious diseases or pathogens from elsewhere, the Central Vet spokesperson added.
When she and her dog arrived in Norway, she collected her bags and took Nemesh to border control officials, where they checked Nemesh’s microchip and approved documents. It took about an hour.
According to pet carriers, the entire process of document preparation and pet approval can take up to seven months.
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Professional pet carriers who can ship pets abroad and back home can make the journey easier and take care of the many applications involved.
Some use established networks and communication channels with relevant authorities to help resolve potential issues with medical appointments, documents and approvals.
The airline ST spoke with says most owners balk at these costs — charging owners about $4,000 to $5,000 for a small to midsize car.
