
Moving to Canada with a cat – Monty update
This post is mostly for my mum. She keeps asking if I’ll write more about our cat, Monty, who we brought to Vancouver with us. I realise that does not really fit into the “walks” or “larks” that I normally write about. BUT there isn’t a huge amount online about moving countries with cats, so maybe this will be useful for someone else one day!?
Introducing Monty:
As a kitten, Monty was one of the cutest little dudes I have ever come across. He was the runt of the litter from a family in Hendon so when I first brought him home he was teeny! He had massive blue eyes and to start with he never seemed to blink! Marc and I both fell in love. I mean how could you not!?
Now, we have been thinking about moving to Vancouver for a while. This was partly to escape the London pollution (which gave me asthma over the last year), and partly because Marc and I both love the idea of living somewhere with easy access to mountains *and* career opportunities. The main deal-breaker was whether we could bring our little monster with us. I did loads of research online and most people agree that Vancouver is full of pet lovers BUT it can be really hard to find a place to rent if you have a pet. This didn’t sound particularly hopeful so I joined pet friendly rental groups on facebook and started searching for possible places to live aaaaages before we planned to move. It seemedĀ like there were possibilities, so we put in a request to move with Marc’s company, and crossed our fingers.
Monty is now a fully grown, 4 year old goofball of a cat. His main hobbies are inspecting his territory from our garden fence, sleeping with his bikini out for the world to see, and wrestling with my husband Marc. We did have a couple of very kind offers from people that said they were happy to look after him for a couple of years, but it’s not often you meet a cat with such a lovely personality. We just couldn’t leave him behind.
Advice if you’re thinking of bringing your cat to Canada:
- Talk to your vet first! I mentioned that we were considering taking Monty to live aboard about six months before we moved. The vet told me to read all the regulations from the Canadian GovernmentĀ and also all the regulations for bringing him back to the UK on the DEFRAĀ website.
- For us, it sounded like getting into Canada would be a breeze, it was just bringing him back to the UK would be more complicated, unless we got a pet passport and had him micro-chipped.
- At least 2 months before you go, you need to take your cat to have a rabies vaccination and to pick up his pet passport.
- The Pet passport lasts for 3 years, so if we decide to move back to the UK within that time, Monty can come back with us easily. If we stay longer we’d have to prove that his rabies vaccines are all up to date and go through more hassles. This might be the main thing to put a limit on how long we can live in Canada.
- You will need to buy a IATA approved pet carrier.
Advice for flying:
When flying with a pet you can either take your cat with you onto the flight (some airlines said they would allow this) OR put him into the hold. I didn’t want him to go into the hold at first because I thought he’d be freezing. But I soon found out that most airlines have a special pressurised section for pets. It’s just like the main carriage, but without the trolley service. I found out the pet policies for each of the Airlines that fly between the UK and Canada, so you don’t have to:
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British Airways: Monty would have to go in the cargo we would need to book it through IAG World Cargo. I asked for some quotes and most of them were over £1000. Eep!
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Lufthansa:Ā We could take Monty in the cabin if we pay 70 Euros/ $100 CAD.
Max dimensions for box:Ā 55cm x 40cm x 23 cm -
Finnair:Ā Could take him in the cabin, in an IATA-approved pet carrier if cat+carrier is less than 8kg.
The maximum dimensions for a soft pet carrier are the same as for normal carry-on baggage, as long as the carrier is flexible enough to fit under the seat in front of you and your pet can stand up and lay down comfortably. Max dimensions were not very clear; either 56cm x 45cm x 25cm orĀ 40cm x 30cm x 15cm -
Iberia:Ā ā¬150 charge for pets
Could take him in the cabin if he is less than 8kg. Max size carrier:Ā 45cm x 35cm x 25cm
IATA approved case: The cage or pet pack should be strong, ventilated, with a waterproof floor and it should be safe.
A pet is always charged as excess baggage, even if a passenger carries no other bags.
Before checking pets in, passengers should feed and water them, as this is generally not possible once the flight is underway. -
Air Canada:Ā Could take in the cabin if he is small enough to sit in his cage. $100 CAD charge
Max size carrier:Ā Hard-sidedĀ 23cm x 40cm x 55cmĀ Soft-sidedĀ 27cm x 40cm x 55cm
On Boeing 777-300ER and 777-200LR aircraft, the pet carrier cannot be more than 21cm x 38cm x 43 cm
Youāll need to arrive a full 30 minutes prior to the recommended check-in time for your flight as you must see an agent at check-in. Passengers travelling with pets cannot check in online or at airport self-service kiosks. -
Air Transat:Ā He can only travel in the hold.
Rates and charges shown apply only to animals checked into the cargo hold. Amounts may vary and will be charged in the currency used in the departure airport.
To and from Europe: CAD $275 each way per animal.
Upon entry into Canada: A CAD $30 fee (plus tax, per animal) will be required for inspection by Agriculture Canada. Arrivals from the U.S. are exempt.
Originally I liked the sound of flying with Monty at our feet so we could comfort him. But then I spoke to another lady who moved with her cat to Canada the previous year, she said going with Air Transat was relatively easy. She also mentioned that it is better in the hold as you can use a large cage, rather than a teeny one that squishes under the seat in front of you
In the end, Marc’s work booked us flights with Air Transat, so we just went with them! We called before we booked the flight to check there was space for Monty, then called back after the flight was booked to reserve one of the spaces for pets on the same plane. There are 5 spaces on each flight, so book it quickly! In the end, Monty was the only animal on his flight.
On the Day:
We woke up super early to lock our cat flap. We gave Monty some food and drink before we finished off our packing and cleaning. We’d bought a massive IATA approved pet carrier from pet planet. It was Japanese and folds down to take up less room, so it seemed perfect for us. I wrote Monty’s name all over it (as well as my name, contact details and our destination.) You probably don’t have to do that, I was just paranoid that he might get lost. I also figured if it is obvious what his name is, maybe people will comfort him on his journey. We also taped some doggy-nappy-mats to the floor of the pet carrier so if he needed to relieve himself, it could all be absorbed, and not too stinky.
We had to arrive at the airport 3 hours early, but we were closer to 4 hours early. This meant we could check in as soon as the check in desks opened. The staff were all really friendly, but Monty started to miaow. He had quite strong opinions and he didn’t want to be in a pet carrier in this loud place. To be honest, leaving him with the airline staff was pretty stressful. It tied my tummy up in knots.
Poor little dude.
Once we arrived:
The lines for immigration on a Saturday afternoon in June are loooong! We had to snake around the airport (in view of the amazing mountains – squeee!) for almost 2 hours. Then, we have to wait again for our work permits.
By the time we made it to the baggage hall, our bags were the very last ones from our flight to be claimed. Some kind person had taken them off the conveyor belt so they sat there looking all lost and alone. However there was no Monty in sight. We had to ask three different members of staff to help us before we finally found the oversized baggage counter. Monty was there, sleeping sadly in the corner of his cage. He looked like he had completely given up on the world! However as soon as he heard our voices he jumped up, started “meep”ing and shoved his nose right up to the doors to get a good smell of us. I have honestly never seen a cat seem so relieved!
It seemed like he had made friends while he waited, as a member of staff ran over to say goodbye to him. She then radioed “Monty gone” to someone else who must have also been worried that his humans had abandoned him. As we left the baggage area and wandered into the main airport, Monty started to be interested in everything around him. He suddenly realised how popular he could be. As I’d written his name all over his box, as we walked out of the airport, there were lots of “hello monty” “goodbye monty” voices as people tried to see him. He kept turning around to collect squeals from people in different directions!! Ā He had around 30 admirers just in the queue for taxis at the airport. Then in the hotel lobby, the man who checked us in kept introducing him to other guests so they were all ooohing over him. Our taxi driver showed us photos of his cat too – Vancouver folks seem to really like pets!!
Somehow he held his bladder for the entire journey. I had called ahead to our (cat friendly) hotel a few days before we arrived. The concierge had kindly bought some cat little and cat food. That meant as soon as we let him out he could have something to eat, drink and stink out our hotel room with a mighty poop. Phew. Once he’d explored our hotel room, he found the best cat spot, on the window sill. His new view looks down at the world and over to the pigeons on the roof of the next building.
Monty has been in this hotel for just over a week now, so he is far calmer. Now he has started to play hide and seek. His new favourite place is sitting on top of my folded clothes on one of the shelves. Or sneaking behind the curtains (it’s camouflage-like as this hotel is a trendy shade of grey.) He also approved of the grey sofa next to the window. It provides cat friendly views as well as a place to stretch out when needed.
So that is my cat update for mum, and hopefully some helpful information for other cat-travelers.
Finding a cat friendly apartment in Vancouver is a whole other story BUT we have managed it. Monty will be able to move into his new home on the first of July. Phew.
42 thoughts on “Moving to Canada with a cat – Monty update”
Monty’s gorgeous. What an adventure for him. Love how he is central to all your plans. I can perfectly relate to that. I’m sure all cat lovers can.
Thanks George!
I don’t think he is that impressed so far to be honest! He escaped our hotel room today and ran all the way down the hall before I caught him. Now he’s meep-ing at the door for another adventure!
This is an amazing story! So glad your mom encouraged you to write about Monty (I wouldn’t be able to part with him either!) xoxoxo to you and big pets to Monty
Thank you! Monty accepts the extra petting… Although he’s having a good morning wrestle at the moment!
What a cutie! Monty looks a lot like my daughter’s cat, Bijou. That was quite the expedition! And I thought 12 hours in a car with our cat was tough. I’m glad Monty is settling in.
When we were little my parents used to take 4 children and 3 cats to Ireland every summer, and then back again before September. The roads were so bad back then that it took about 18-20 hours (drive + ferry + drive). Now I think of it, this was a waaaaaay easier journey compared to that.
Monty is so cute!! It would break my heart to leave my fur babies with the airline staff, but it sounds like they took good care of him. Glad to hear that he is enjoying his new digs!
Leaving fur babies is definitely the hardest part! Monty had such a sad, high pitched meep. š
Have you ever travelled with your little dudes?
No, we haven’t. The farthest the pup has gone is about an hour and a half in the car. And the kit-kat has never even been on adventure beyond the vet and moving one town over. I always say, though, that I wish I could bring them everywhere with me!
Monty had never been further than visiting our parents at Christmas before we moved here…I think it must be a bit of a shock, but he’s coping. Your kit-kat and doggo would be fine! š
Aww poor little guy. I’ve been always wondering how do they allow animals in the cabin. What if someone is allergic or something… glad he is okay though, looks like a gorgeous boy! <3
I was wondering that too! If there is someone allergic, how would the airline even let people know!?
Aw! Monty is gorgeous!!! I read this with great interest as my kids always want to take Sonu Singh wherever we go! I’m glad he’s happy and hope you find a cat friendly flat soon xxx
You couldn’t leave Sonu Singh behind! He needs to travel the world with the appropriate local outfits! (I love your photos of him all dressed up!!)
I never really thought about how a person would emigrate with cats in tow – and I found the flight information interesting as there is also the possibility of relocating overseas with my husband’s job and as we have cats I now know what to think about! Have pinned your post for future reference.I hope you enjoy your new life in Vancouver š
Yay! I really hope it’ll be helpful if you do decide to move! How many cats do you have? I’m not sure if living in a hotel for a few weeks would work with multiple cats. You might have to have one of you move first to find a place to live, then the other come later with the catties…
So kind of you to share your research. Welcome to North America. Monty is a cutie!
Thank you! We are loving this side of the pond so far!! š
He’s so sweet!! That’s such a big undertaking flying him but good that you could take him with you.
Thanks for popping by! He is a bit of a sweetie (apart from when he’s being a rascal!) š
Our Squeaky is a Monty look alike… our love for him a look alike too…
Oooh is squeaky a grey and white cutie too? š
I assume he also has a healthy dose of cattitude!
Oh bless him, and what a sweetie he is! This was genuinely really useful – I know a few people who a thinking of moving to a different country so I’ll forward this to them!
Brilliant!
I only looked up all the airlines that fly direct to Vancouver, but they can do something similar wherever they plan to move!
Good research on bringing Monty. Welcome to Canada from the East Coast.
We loved the East coast too! We visited a couple of years ago and the amazing food and lovely people on your side of Canada were the reason we decided to try to move here.
A lot of apartments in Canada are cat friendly (much less so on the dog side), but I think that you have to find a property manager that allows them- it seems like if one of their buildings allow it, most that they own will! Is pet micro-chipping not a big thing in the UK? In Winnipeg, it is fairly common and inexpensive through the Humane Society!
It’s really common in the UK too. We did it for Ā£5 (at the same time as he had the snip) I just added it in as not all cats have it in the UK.
We found a pet friendly place to live! Yaaaay! We didn’t think we’d get it to be honest as 8 other people showed up to view it at the same time!
Oh I love this tale. Bless Monty. He looks & sounds adorable. I might have PMT, but I almost felt emotional when you described him seeing you for the first time after the flight. Lovely.
It was an emotional moment! Poor little dude! It was worse letting him go at the airport though. That was horrible. š
Oh I bet that was horrific. Little tiger šæ
I can’t even hold my bladder for the entire trip. That’s some cat!
Thanks for bringing this to the party! Have fun meeting the guests.
Thanks Susie!
It was an impressive feat! I think used the loo mid-flight 3 times!! Poor cat, he has a bladder of steel!
A bit late to the party but this is just the post I needed to read (and Monty is just gorgeous!). Iām moving from London to Vancouver in July and the only thing Iām worried/stressed about is moving my lovely 10-year-old tuxedo rescue. Was customs etc quite straightforward? Do you think the hold was the right decision? I think leaving him at the desk would break me, but cabin space (or lack of) is a real concern…
For us, yeah, I think the cabin was the right move as the teeny case he’d have to fit into to get under the seat would have been a bit *too* teeny.
Customs was not bad at all. To be honest, the worst part was leaving him at the airport and hearing his “meeps” of sadness!
You are going to LOVE it here in July. What a good time to arrive! Please give me a shout if you need help or advice.
We are looking at moving to Canada within next couple years with our 2 young children and cat, your post on monty has been very helpful. May I ask how you found a cat friendly hotel? We will hopefully have the funds from next year for the move, if our express entry application is successful. My husband will be training as a hgv driver this year so hopefully we can go for that but I have also just started a degree in cyber security with open university to give us other options.
Hi Carla!
It was actually easier to find cat friendly hotels than cat friendly airb&bs… The easiest way for me was to use Booking.com. You can filter by Facilities: “pet friendly.” You may have to pay a small extra fee to have the kitty in your room.