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Dr Matthew Murdoch, Director and Veterinary Consultant at Ferndale Kennels & Travel is based in Hong Kong and now with an office in Singapore shares some insights about relocating with your pets.

 

 

LD: Can you share a little about your background - what got you into veterinary medicine and how did you end up settling down in Hong Kong?

Dr. Matt: Ever since I was around eight years old, I had a deep passion for becoming a veterinarian. My commitment to this dream was evident as I volunteered every Saturday and during summer holidays at the Blue Cross, a prominent veterinary charity clinic in London, starting from the age of 13 or 14. Working with animals has always been a calling for me! Travel also is in my DNA and it’s a long story how I ended up in Asia but essentially, I came for ‘travel’ and initially I followed a friend who is a vet also.

 

LD: What prompted you to start Ferndale Kennels and Pet Relocation in 1997 and focus on helping pet parents move countries with their pets? On average how many relocations would you assist with in a year and have you seen an increase over the years?

Dr. Matt: Actually, Ferndale started in 1994 as a boarding facility but became part of the IPATA family (International Pet and Animal Transportation Association) in 1997 flying pets internationally with an emphasis on safety and pet welfare. We’ve just become accredited as Ferndale Pet Travel in Singapore in 2023.  Initially I was the veterinarian doing the health checks for Ferndale and I loved the positive energy when pets are re-united with owners, and so when the original founder retired nearly 10 years ago I jumped at the opportunity to become the custodian of such an important service. I feel excited and touched to be involved with such important work. In summer times we can have more than 3 families flying in or out a day, and we’ve assisted well over 10,000 pets moving safely so far over the years.

 

 

LD: There are three different ways you can fly with your furry family member: (1) As excess baggage; (2) Via cargo; (3) In cabin ... which ways do you see most pets being flown and if one has the choice whether to fly excess baggage or via cargo, which way do you recommend as the least stressful for your pet?

Dr. Matt: Excess baggage is cheaper and has a shorter check-in period than cargo. But really the recommendation depends on the individual's move circumstances. Often it’s a lot more straightforward to have a large heavy pet delivered to your door by a professional, than collecting your pet from the baggage hall and navigating them out of the airport with your other bags and family. In cabin is recommended (when the airline allows it) for elderly or frail patients, but the cargo hold allows pets to be in spacious crates and so there are circumstances where it’s the better option also.

 

LD: It is always an anxious time for pet parents when your pet needs to fly, especially if they are going in cargo. Can you list some key tips for pet parents to prepare their dog for the move when the decision to move has been decided?

Dr. Matt: Here are some key tips for preparing your dog for a move when flying in cargo:

a. Start early: Begin preparations well in advance to reduce stress.

b. Crate training: Familiarize your pet with their travel crate.

c. Vet check: Ensure your pet is in good health and up-to-date on vaccinations, in conjunction with agents advice.

d. ID and documentation: ensure all required documents are in order, in conjunction with agents advice.

e. Comfort items: Place familiar bedding and toys in the crate for comfort.

f. Pre-flight exercise: Provide your dog with plenty of exercise before the journey.

g. Feeding and hydration: Follow airline guidelines for food and water before the flight.

h. Calmatives (if necessary): Consult your veterinarian for any calming measures that may be needed.

 

 

LD: The main parts of the relocation that makes pawrents the most anxious is the handling to load and offload the dog from cargo safely and what is it like for the dog in the cargo hold itself? Can you take us through what goes on behind the scenes in the cargo process and what is it like within the cargo hold itself? How do the animals typically react/behave once in the cargo hold?

Dr. Matt: Behind the scenes in the cargo process, pets are handled with care. There are strict protocols in place to ensure their safety and well-being. The cargo hold is kept dark (apart from emergency exit lights) and quiet. The temperature is thermo-regulated same as the passenger deck and pressurized same as passenger deck. I think the anxiety is more about the uncertainty and ‘communication black-out’ when pets are not in the pawrents hands, so we try and help show people how to track the flight and help get our staff or partners to give us timely updates to alleviate this natural worry!

 

LD: An agent has to be engaged when your pet has to travel by cargo, are there any exceptions when pet owners are allowed to be present in the cargo area until the dog is handed over to cargo handlers to load on the plane? If not, do you as the agent stay with the dog the entire time until it is handed over to the cargo handling staff to load onto the plane?

Dr. Matt: Generally, pet owners are not allowed in the cargo area. Agents, like myself, oversee the entire process from drop-off to handover to the cargo handlers. Our priority is to ensure the pet's safety and comfort during the transfer. We have to follow airline rules. But their staff should have been given instructions courses from the IATA Live Animal Regulations also normally so they are educated.

 

 

LD: Getting the right size crate is crucial and some airlines are very strict on this, can you tell us how to make sure you get the correct size crate for your dog and which IATA brand(s) in particular would you recommend? Or for custom made crates who do you recommend?

Dr. Matt: A crate is the secure and safe enclosure in which the pet travels.  It must be comfortable enough for the pet to relax and it must have enough airflow to keep the pet properly ventilated and unstressed. The enclosure must have no cracks or defects to allow the possibility of escape or injury. And the crate must be labeled properly to speak for the pet who cannot communicate.  Holes must be a maximum of 25mm x 25 mm (1 in x 1in) for dogs and 19mm x 19mm (3/4 in x 3/4 in) for cats) so nobody peeks their tiptoes out, which prevents injuries!  We tend to recommend Petmate. IATA sets guidelines on what is acceptable.

 

 

 

LD: For those people who want to purchase a particular breed puppy from a reputable ethical breeder overseas, what should they make sure to ask and check before the puppy makes the journey? At what age is a puppy allowed to be relocated?

Dr. Matt: When purchasing a puppy from an overseas breeder, ensure you ask for health records and vaccination history.  Check the category of country it is, for example Category A (such as Australia, New Zealand) will be easier to get puppies from as they don’t have rabies there so don’t need rabies blood tests- and not category C or D (e.g. Thailand in Category D, with undetermined risk of rabies) which would need Quarantine in Singapore on arrival.  Also look at Parents certificates & scores, refences, information about the breeder's reputation and ethical practices. Ensure the puppy is of an appropriate age for relocation, typically around 10-12 weeks but it depends on different factors including e.g. the choice of airline’s rules.

LD: With senior dogs, an international journey is always of more concern. What are the key health concerns and checks one should do before to be reassured that their pet so fit to fly?

Dr. Matt: For senior dogs, a thorough health check is essential. Consult your veterinarian to ensure your pet is fit to fly. Address any existing health issues, provide appropriate medications, and ensure your pet's comfort throughout the journey. Big things to check are cardiac health, general internal health, and the joints, for example.

 

LD: Which countries do you relocate the most pets to or from? Are there some countries that are easier/more straight forward to move pets and which countries are more challenging? Any experiences from different countries that you can share with us.

Dr. Matt: The most common pet relocation destinations vary, but the United States, Canada, and the European Union countries are frequently involved. Some countries have straightforward processes, while others may have more complex import regulations and requirements. Australia tends to be the most complex with trying to protect its natural pristine environment biosecurity.

 

 

LD: Once the pet reaches the new destination and home, what are some tips you would recommend to help the pet settle into their new home after going through such a journey?

Dr. Matt: To help your pet settle into their new home:

a. Create a familiar environment with their favorite toys and bedding.

b. Maintain their routine as much as possible.

c. Gradually introduce them to their new surroundings and neighbors.

d. Monitor their behavior and provide comfort as needed.

 

 

LD: Are there any difference in the preparation and process when relocating say a cat, vs a dog?

Dr. Matt: Relocating cats and dogs generally involves similar processes, such as crate training and health checks. However, cats may require a bit more time for acclimatization, as they tend to be more sensitive to changes in their environment.  In dogs, the common flat faced breeds e.g. the Frenchie is incredibly popular these days. And with short faced breeds like these, there is nowadays a test we are promoting to the airlines which is the Brachicephalic Airway Test and that’s a test to see which pets in these breeds might be safer (as an individual) to travel and which not.

 

 

LD : In general, what type or size of pets are allowed to travel in the cabin with their human and which airlines are more open to this? Which airlines do you recommend as being more experienced when flying animals in cargo?

Dr. Matt: This is generally smaller pets under 8kg who can fit in the bags that the airline specifies the dimensions for.

 

LD: A lot of people get confused about flying cargo. When a dog flies’ cargo does it mean they are flying in the cargo hold of a passenger plane (so then you can be on the same flight) or are they flying on a plane that only takes cargo (no passengers)? Can you please clarify this?

Dr. Matt: When a dog flies in cargo, it means they are flying in the cargo hold of a passenger plane. Passengers and their pets typically share the same flight, though the pet's compartment is separate and specially designed for their safety and comfort.

 

 

LD: Nowadays there are more and more Private Charter Jets options becoming available specifically for flying with your pets in cabin. Is this a service you also see more in demand and you get involved with helping? Besides being able to have your pet in the cabin with you, what are the main differences in the process of flying via a private charter in comparison to flying in a commercial cargo plane?

Dr. Matt: Yes, this is getting more common. Generally speaking, private jets have lower cabin pressure compared to commercial airlines and offer more control over temperature and humidity increasing the chance of a much more relaxing flight for your pets. Also, all pet breeds are allowed (including flat faced) and of course everyone loves having their baby next to them. It’s just the huge price tag.

 

LD: Any words of reassurance you would like to share for people moving with their pets?

Dr. Matt: I want to reassure pet owners that pet relocation professionals and airlines are committed to the safety and well-being of your furry family members. We have extensive experience in handling all aspects of pet travel and will do our best to make the process as stress-free as possible for both you and your pet. Communication and preparation are key to a successful journey, and your pet's safety is our top priority.

 

 

LD: You mentioned that you support your local shelter in your free time. Can you share more about that place and how you help?

Dr. Matt: At Ferndale we have a small cohort of normally around 5 charity dogs ourselves that we take care of that have been abandoned or adopted by our facility. As a veterinarian, personally I do some discounted work each year for pets at some of the local dog charities in HK e.g. Sai Kung Stray Friends, and Kam Tin Charity Kennel. Sadly, I don’t really have ‘free time’ to volunteer now, but in early days as a Veterinarian, I have done over 6 months of work in Africa, Guatamala, Spain and Greece doing various pet related charitable work including spay & neuter clinics.

Our focus as a business is to be ethical and treat everyone like we would like to be treated, or as we would treat a friend or family member. We do give charity discounts too.

Thank you for your time and insights, Dr. Matt. All the very best to you and all the families moving with their pets in 2024!

To get in touch with Ferndale, you can reach them at Ferndale Pet Travel

To read about real-life experiences of people who have moved countries with their pets, read more here Moving Countries With Your Pet (loyald.com)