Moving house can be a very stressful experience, with timeframes, packing, unpacking, organising, cleaning, gardening, hiring trucks, heavy lifting etc. It’s a sweet combination of all of the most tedious day-to-day tasks, all combined in to one clump of chaos. Add children and animals to the mix, and it is almost enough to make your head spin! If you have made the brave decision to move overseas on top of it all, the team at Birmingham lawyers for immigration admire your bravery, and are here to help in any way possible. The friendly and experienced team have a vast knowledge of procedures, with both professional and personal experiences. If you have any questions at all, reach out to the team of Birmingham lawyers for immigration for some friendly advice.
Kids and pets support each other!
There is nothing quite like the bond between a child and their beloved pets, and children who have an animal will generally settle in to a new home much faster with their furry companion. There are very few reasons that you could not take an animal overseas with you, so unless your pet is very old or sick, or if the country you are moving to is inhospitable to the type of animal you want to bring with you. The climate and possible quarantine regulations may have some influence on your ability to bring your animals with you, so make sure that you do your research before making any decisions. Luckily, the kids are always allowed, so no need to panic there!
Helping the kids understand
It can be very daunting to the smaller humans to move to another country. All of a sudden, you are changing everything they know, from their safe home, their schools, their family, their friends, the sites and the smells. It is obviously a bit more difficult to explain the concept of a move to the younger kids, so try to make it as fun as possible! Do some research on your chosen country, and show the kids all the amazing sites and fun adventures that you can go on. It is easy enough nowadays to find a video or documentary of most countries to show them some of the highlights of your new home. We are incredibly lucky in this world, where the lines of communication can remain open with video calls, instant messages and phone calls that don’t cost you a fortune, so remind them that they can still keep in touch with everyone from home. Remember to be patient with the kids, they don’t really get a say in the matter, and it can be very confusing and overwhelming for them. Expect the tears, the mood swings and the emotional turmoil, and keep reminding them that together as a family, you will all find a way to adjust to the new norm.
Getting the animals ready
The first thing you can do when you have made the decision to shift, is get in touch with your veterinarian, to make sure that all vaccinations are up to date. It is vital that your vet does a full health-check as well, to make sure that your pets are healthy and compatible to travel via aircraft. For example, some dog breeds don’t travel well, such as short-snouted dogs like pugs and bulldogs, due to their respiratory problems. Having said that, there are plenty of companies out there who will transfer your animals in an alternative pathway, so don’t lose hope too quickly! Do your research, and see what the country you are moving to recommend for you to get your pets safely to their new forever home. Some companies will provide a crate, but others will allow you to provide your own. This is an excellent option, as you can start to familiarize your pet with the crate, and make sure that is well-labeled, before they start their adventure overseas. It also goes without saying, but give them all your love and smooches in the buildup to the move!
What to expect for the animals
Depending on the type of animal you have, how many you are transporting, and where you are going, the time frames are incredibly vague. The process can take up to six months, so make sure you get the ball rolling as soon as possible. It is too broad to say for certain whether or not your beloved pet will be running free pre-flight, or contained (albeit safely, and well-fed and watered). They may be sedated for the entirety of the flight, or be awake for some of it. Trust your gut, have faith on recommendations, and pick a company that you would trust to look after your children. Most importantly, ask for help! The amazing team at Birmingham lawyers for immigration is patiently awaiting your call, and they encourage photos of your fur-babies!
