Written by Quintin Coetzee
Emigrating can be a stressful experience – not only for us, but for our pets too. It is important to ensure that the correct procedures are followed for a successful pet move, and to make sure that your special friends are taken care of throughout.
We have partnered with a local pet moving company, PETport, who have provided us with some information about the pet moving process, and the top pet-related things to consider when emigrating. Read our interview with PETport owner Hazel below for some helpful tips.
What are the most important things to consider during the process of moving your pet overseas?
It is important to ensure that pet vaccinations and microchipping are done. Afterwards, the process of doing blood tests and permits, as appropriate for the country of destination, can begin.
Are there any circumstances when you would advise someone not to take their pet with them?
Each pet and family is very different. If a pet is unwell, and fails the health certificate, moving it is not advisable. Animals can have differing side effects at altitude if there are underlying health conditions. PETport has successfully flown animals up to 23 years old, so older animals can be relocated successfully.
What are the benefits of hiring a professional pet moving company to assist with the move?
Doing so is highly recommended. The company will ensure that your vaccinations, microchipping, and any necessary blood tests have been carried out at the correct time, in accordance with export and import procedures, specific to your destination country.
If dates are missed at blood testing, the test may be considered null and void, and the entire export process must begin again. A professional pet moving company ensures that the whole process is tied together, managed to arrival at airport, and at the other side – door to door. All that the owner needs to be concerned with is having the correct documentation, and following the clearly laid out instructions provided by the pet shipper.
What are things to look for when deciding which pet moving company to use?
IPATA registration and accreditation is important, as this indicates a set of standards and ethics within your chosen pet shipping company. A red light to mark bad companies is quotes for crates that are too small. Air freight is measured in volumetric kilograms, so some companies quote for smaller crates to make their prices more attractive. Using a crate that is too small will make for a very uncomfortable journey for your pet. All pets need to travel in an airplane’s cargo hold, other than service animals, which, on approval, can sit in an airplane’s cabin.
What are the common requirements (documentation, medical, etc.) for taking your pet overseas?
Blood tests, vaccinations, and microchipping are all common, as is a health certificate, issued by your local vet. As part of its service, a pet moving company will prepare the documentation, and ensure that it’s up to date and correct. There are often issues where vets don’t know about the requirements for the process, and a pet moving company, which monitors the industry, could inform vets as to what is required in order to provide owners with a smooth transition overseas.
What can you do to make the transition for the pet as easy as possible (stress-wise)?
- Keep calm, and try not to transfer any stress you may have onto your pet.
- Keep your pet’s routines as normal as possible.
- Put an old t-shirt with your scent in the pet’s crate.
- If your packing process is hectic and you are stressed, it may be a good idea to move your pet to a boarding facility.Doing so assists with keeping the pet’s routine, allowing them to remain calm.Boarding kennels will also assist with crate training your pet prior to travel, which may make the journey easier for your pet.
Do you have any recommendations for familiarizing a pet with a new home?
- Establish your pet’s routine in the new space as soon as possible.
- Bring elements of the old routine into the new home.
- Put pet beds, an old t-shirt, toys, bowls, etc. down as soon as possible.
- Don’t make a fuss – let your pet explore and find their spaces.
- Some pets like bathing with familiar shampoos for bonding.
Dogs generally acclimatise quicker than cats. Cats may ignore their owner for a few days, but soon settle into their new homes.Cat’s homes must have windows and doors closed until the cat has adjusted to their new surroundings.
About PETport:
PETport is a registered company. Its owner, Hazel Imrie, is a member of IPATA (International Pet and Animal Transport Association), and represents the Middle East and Africa region as a board member. PETport deals mainly with dogs, cats, and birds, but does transport some wild animals. The company does not do relocations for animals used for breeding farms, food, etc.
Following its code of ethics, PETport has markers that it uses to identify suspicious business opportunities, and rejects business when it feels the need, in keeping with its standards and vision. For more information about PETport and its services, visit: www.petport.co.za.
About Relocation Africa:
Relocation Africa Group is Africa’s premier Relocation and Immigration Service provider. With over 20 years of experience, and operations in 48 countries across the continent, Relocation Africa has the expertise to assist you with your mobility, immigration, research, and remuneration needs.
For more information, visit: www.relocationafrica.com, or email marketing@relocationafrica.com.
Zimbabwe: Where To From Here?
Written by Quintin Coetzee
After a tense few days, Robert Mugabe has resigned from his role as Zimbabwe’s President.
Earlier this month, after the dismissal of Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, the Zimbabwean army stationed vehicles around Harare, the country’s capital, placing Mugabe under house arrest. It is thought that the dismissal was the result of Mugabe’s wife, Grace, lobbying her husband, in order to take over the country and fuel her own political ambitions.
Zimbabweans wondering how the political crisis, brought to a head by decades of economic decline, would end, had their questions answered on Tuesday, 21 November, with the formal resignation of Mugabe, who, along with his ZANU-PF party, has been in power for the past 29 years.
Now that the army has intervened in the power struggle, and chosen the political path going forward, Emmerson Mnangagwa will take over as the country’s President.
In 1980, Mnangagwa was appointed by Canaan Banana, Zimbabwe’s first President, as the country’s first Minister of State Security. Since then, he has held the positions of Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs, Minister of Finance, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Minister of Rural Housing and Social Amenities, Minister of Defence, Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Vice President, and Leader of the ZANU–PF party.
He is to be sworn in as Zimbabwe’s new president on Friday, 24 November, according to the country’s Speaker of Parliament. This comes after the ruling party notified him of its nomination of Mnangagwa to replace Mugabe until the end of the term of office next year. General elections are scheduled to be held in Zimbabwe in 2018, and are likely to take place sometime between 23 July and 21 August.
Zimbabwe currently has an unemployment rate of 95%, the highest in the world. With many believing that Mnangagwa and Mugabe are cut from the same cloth, whether the economic situation in Zimbabwe is set to improve remains uncertain.
Mugabe’s letter of resignation can be read here.
For information about how Relocation Africa can assist you with moving into or out of Zimbabwe, or between other African countries, email marketing@relocationafrica.com.
Image source: Zimbabwe HOPE TV [1]. Sources: [1], [2], [3], [4], [5].
What Might The Outcome Of The Zimbabwean Political Crisis Be?
Written by Quintin Coetzee
On 14 and 15 November, members of the Zimbabwean military began stationing vehicles across the country’s capital, Harare, sending a strong message to the ruling government that it had reached the end of its patience with the status quo.
With current president, Robert Mugabe, effectively under house arrest, and the ruling party-aligned national broadcaster, Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) seized, Zimbabweans, and the rest of the world, watch on in anticipation of the outcome.
Mugabe and his party (ZANU-PF) have been in power, autocratically, for the past 37 years, since taking over from the country’s first president, Canaan Banana, in 1987. Throughout his years of rule, Mugabe has faced much opposition, from opposition parties and Zimbabwean citizens, against abuses of power in numerous forms.
The current situation was supposedly brought about by the recent ousting of former Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who was dismissed on 6 November 2017. This was allegedly done in order to make way for Mugabe’s wife, Grace, to take the helm after the president steps down.
On 13 November, Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, Constantino Chiwenga released a statement criticizing those who were responsible for the dismissals of government officials in the ruling party. Chiwenga warned that the armed forces would be forced to intervene should the “purging” not stop.
On 14 November it was reported that soldiers and armoured military vehicles were seen headed towards the capital, Harare, after which several roads were blocked off, including the one leading to the president’s residence.
In the early hours of the following day, the military spokesperson, Major General SD Moyo, appeared on ZBC television to announce that the military had taken over the country, and that the president and his family were safe. He also stated that the armed forces would be “targeting criminals around him [Mugabe] who are committing crimes… that are causing social and economic suffering in the country”. It was later reported that several ZANU-PF politicians and government ministers were detained or arrested, including the country’s finance minister, Ignatious Chombo.
Zimbabwe’s economy has been in poor shape for many years, and military members have had to sometimes go for months on end without having their salaries paid by the current leadership.
One potential scenario is the leading of a transitional government by Mnangagwa. Another is the handing over of power to Mugabe, provided the military is satisfied that said power won’t be passed on to his spouse. A third option involves Constantino Chiwenga taking power. Finally, a snap election could be called, giving Zimbabweans an opportunity to head to the polls in order to decide the future of the country themselves.
Whatever the outcome, Zimbabweans are likely hoping to face a very different political environment going forward – one which brings about the much-needed prosperity that citizens deserve to see after decades of economic decline. Whether or not these changes come about peacefully remains to be seen.
For information about how Relocation Africa can assist you with moving into or out of Zimbabwe, or between other African countries, email marketing@relocationafrica.com.
Sources: [1]; [2]. Image source: [1].
Relo Originals: Moving With Your Pet
Written by Quintin Coetzee
Emigrating can be a stressful experience – not only for us, but for our pets too. It is important to ensure that the correct procedures are followed for a successful pet move, and to make sure that your special friends are taken care of throughout.
We have partnered with a local pet moving company, PETport, who have provided us with some information about the pet moving process, and the top pet-related things to consider when emigrating. Read our interview with PETport owner Hazel below for some helpful tips.
What are the most important things to consider during the process of moving your pet overseas?
It is important to ensure that pet vaccinations and microchipping are done. Afterwards, the process of doing blood tests and permits, as appropriate for the country of destination, can begin.
Are there any circumstances when you would advise someone not to take their pet with them?
Each pet and family is very different. If a pet is unwell, and fails the health certificate, moving it is not advisable. Animals can have differing side effects at altitude if there are underlying health conditions. PETport has successfully flown animals up to 23 years old, so older animals can be relocated successfully.
What are the benefits of hiring a professional pet moving company to assist with the move?
Doing so is highly recommended. The company will ensure that your vaccinations, microchipping, and any necessary blood tests have been carried out at the correct time, in accordance with export and import procedures, specific to your destination country.
If dates are missed at blood testing, the test may be considered null and void, and the entire export process must begin again. A professional pet moving company ensures that the whole process is tied together, managed to arrival at airport, and at the other side – door to door. All that the owner needs to be concerned with is having the correct documentation, and following the clearly laid out instructions provided by the pet shipper.
What are things to look for when deciding which pet moving company to use?
IPATA registration and accreditation is important, as this indicates a set of standards and ethics within your chosen pet shipping company. A red light to mark bad companies is quotes for crates that are too small. Air freight is measured in volumetric kilograms, so some companies quote for smaller crates to make their prices more attractive. Using a crate that is too small will make for a very uncomfortable journey for your pet. All pets need to travel in an airplane’s cargo hold, other than service animals, which, on approval, can sit in an airplane’s cabin.
What are the common requirements (documentation, medical, etc.) for taking your pet overseas?
Blood tests, vaccinations, and microchipping are all common, as is a health certificate, issued by your local vet. As part of its service, a pet moving company will prepare the documentation, and ensure that it’s up to date and correct. There are often issues where vets don’t know about the requirements for the process, and a pet moving company, which monitors the industry, could inform vets as to what is required in order to provide owners with a smooth transition overseas.
What can you do to make the transition for the pet as easy as possible (stress-wise)?
Do you have any recommendations for familiarizing a pet with a new home?
Dogs generally acclimatise quicker than cats. Cats may ignore their owner for a few days, but soon settle into their new homes.Cat’s homes must have windows and doors closed until the cat has adjusted to their new surroundings.
About PETport:
PETport is a registered company. Its owner, Hazel Imrie, is a member of IPATA (International Pet and Animal Transport Association), and represents the Middle East and Africa region as a board member. PETport deals mainly with dogs, cats, and birds, but does transport some wild animals. The company does not do relocations for animals used for breeding farms, food, etc.
Following its code of ethics, PETport has markers that it uses to identify suspicious business opportunities, and rejects business when it feels the need, in keeping with its standards and vision. For more information about PETport and its services, visit: www.petport.co.za.
About Relocation Africa:
Relocation Africa Group is Africa’s premier Relocation and Immigration Service provider. With over 20 years of experience, and operations in 48 countries across the continent, Relocation Africa has the expertise to assist you with your mobility, immigration, research, and remuneration needs.
For more information, visit: www.relocationafrica.com, or email marketing@relocationafrica.com.
8th Biennial IBA Global Immigration Conference
Relocation Africa will be attending the 8th Biennial IBA Global Immigration Conference from 16-17 November 2017 in London, UK.
The conference will be presented by the IBA Immigration and Nationality Law Committee and topics will include:
– The new age of global immigration and mobility: challenges and opportunities
– Global mobility report
– Skilled workers and compliance
– Global battle for the entrepreneur and investor
– Dual citizenship – renunciation and expatriation
– Economic and political risk migration in Africa and Middle East – the effect of the rest of the world
– Between cooperation and competition: the place of immigration lawyering in a global mobility world
– South Asia, Asia Pacific, Central and South America
– What future for EU and Schengen border controls
– US immigration and visa policy in the Trump era – what has changed and what has not?
– Navigating the storms: ethical dilemmas in immigration law
For more information about the conference, visit: https://www.ibanet.org/Conferences/conf786.aspx
Relocation Africa Director Andrew Stegmann will be in attendance. To arrange a meeting, email marketing@relocationafrica.com, or call +27 21 763 4240.