#5. THE TRIP TO PARADISE

MOVING OUR ZOO TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD

Our journey began with the daunting task of moving not just ourselves but our entire family - two Basset Hounds, Fien and Fleur, and two cats, Thijs and Pumpernikkel II. The thought of relocating across the world with our FOUR (yes, FOUR) furry companions required meticulous preparation.

First, we searched for the best way to comfortably transport our pets. After extensive research, we discovered (via Iberia's website) Woof Airlines, a company specializing in intercontinental pet transport. This discovery was a relief, understanding the complexities of moving pets over such a vast distance. And again, we were moving FOUR pets, so you can imagine...

We started by purchasing huge, IATA-approved kennels, because our Basset Hounds require more space due to their length. We began kennel training to ensure our pets would be at ease during the journey. For the safety and comfort of the pets, airlines have strict rules regarding these kennels, as well as accessories like bowls for food and water, safety harnesses, etc. It's also strictly forbidden to drug (sedate) the animals for the trip. If the airline finds out the animals are drugged or the kennels do not comply with regulations, the animals will be denied boarding, which I can only applaud.

The Paperwork Saga:

The administrative side was a beast in itself. Our pets needed health certificates valid only for 120 hours before departure. This meant a whirlwind of:

• Health Checks: Each pet was examined by our vet.

• Vaccination Confirmation: Proof that all vaccinations were up to date.

• Anti-Parasite Treatment: Ensuring our pets were treated for both internal and external parasites within the 120-hour window before departure.

• General Health Declaration: A statement from the vet on the general health of each animal.

All these documents had to be validated by the FAVV (Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain) in Hasselt, followed by an apostille from the Department of Foreign Affairs in Brussels, which required physical presence at the Department of Foreign Affairs (because it concerned physical documents, not digitalized documents) and was only available by appointment. The validated documents then needed translation into Spanish by a sworn translator, followed by another apostille for the translations. This apostille could be requested digitally by the translator, so I didn't have to go back to the Department of Foreign Affairs in Brussels.

Quite the challenge, especially because my dear husband was in Indonesia the week before our departure and only returned home the day before our departure, leaving me alone with all the preparations. Luckily, I could count on the help of Ed and Mieke, our fantastic neighbors and godparents of our Basset Hounds.

Farewell and Final Touches:

In November 2024, we threw a small farewell party at home for 45 people, blending Flemish and Spanish cuisines, celebrating with family and close friends before our departure. This was a warm send-off before diving into the last-minute preparations described in the above paragraphs.

The Great Pet Migration:

Our journey started on December 18th, 2024, with a 1600 km drive to Madrid. We wanted to limit our animals' flights to 1 direct flight, so we rented a minivan and drove the first part. This was less stressful for the animals. Jim drove the first leg, and we stopped at a campsite 200 km past Paris for the night. The next day, I took over, driving us into Madrid. These nights were challenging; the first was relatively peaceful, but the second in Madrid was rough, with cold weather, storm and no camping options, leading to an uncomfortable night parked by the roadside.

Upon arrival at the airport, early the next morning, we faced the chaos of managing four pets, their kennels, and our luggage. Woof Airlines had a team ready to assist, which was a godsend. They managed the pet check-in and customs, easing our stress and ensuring our pets were safely boarded.

The flight was as smooth as it could be, thanks to Woof Airlines' care. One of their representatives flew with us to Guatemala and helped us navigate customs again, ensuring our pets could enter the country without any problems.

From the airport in Guatemala City, we traveled by road to the municipality of La Libertad, where we had booked a beachfront Airbnb. At the border, our documents, including the pets', were thoroughly checked, and we entered El Salvador without any problems. After a long drive, we arrived at our Airbnb at midnight, where Manuel had prepared everything; he had even done our grocery shopping. We spent our first night in El Salvador unwinding on the terrace with Manuel. And so our adventure started.

We thought we had the hardest part behind us... Little did we know this was just the beginning...

This journey was more than just moving; it was a testament to our commitment to our pets' comfort and safety. The preparation, the logistics, and the emotional rollercoaster of ensuring our animals were cared for throughout the trip were intense. However, with Woof Airlines' professional service, the daunting task became an adventurous, albeit challenging, experience. For anyone considering such a move with pets, professional pet transport services are indispensable. And we can only advise to work with Woof Airlines! They have experience with airports everywhere in the world and are incredibly professional and reliable, believe me.

(Click on my profile to read more stories about our adventure)

COMING SOON: Casa Ganimo - BIG mistake

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