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Over the last few months, much of our focus here at Worldwide Animal Travel has been reuniting pets that were stranded amidst the COVID-19 pandemic with their loved ones across the globe. Our most recent chartered flight, and the largest of its kind for Australia, took place on July 31st and carried 100 pets from Vancouver to Melbourne.<\/p>\n
One of its passengers was Mardi Gras, a 19-year old senior cat who was just reunited with her family after an extended 6 month stay with us at our facilities followed by a strict 2-week quarantine upon arrival back home in Australia. Despite the lengthy and complicated relocation process, we worked tirelessly with Mardi Gras\u2019 family to get her back home. Here is her story.<\/p>\n
When Corey and Scott relocated to Toronto prior to the pandemic, they never intended on going back to Australia, so they brought Mardi Gras with them to enjoy her last few years on Canadian soil.\u00a0 Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 and a visa issue, the couple was forced to go back to Australia. Due to Mardi Gras\u2019 old age, they were faced with a difficult decision: do they leave her with friends in Toronto, or do they bring her back home? The answer was clear: \u201cMardi has been…with us for 19 years, and we knew we couldn\u2019t leave family behind.\u201d Though bringing Mardi Gras to Canada was fairly straightforward, it turned out that the reverse – bringing her back to Australia – wasn\u2019t as simple. \u201cWe found out that Mardi required a rabies blood test six months prior, then leaving her in Canada for a minimum of six months as per the Australian Quarantine & Inspection Services requirements for animals of her nature,\u201d Corey says.<\/p>\n
Luckily, friends of the couple told them about Worldwide Animal Travel.\u00a0 After contacting multiple boarding facilities and receiving lacklustre responses, Corey says they found us to be \u201cthe most responsive and comprehensive service.\u201d\u00a0 In December 2020, as we (Worldwide Animal Travel) were preparing Mardi Gras for her departure, a routine veterinarian checkup found that Mardi Gras had developed a urinary tract infection, and her kidneys were not functioning well.\u00a0 After losing another cat to hyperthyroidism right before moving to Canada, Corey reflects on how scary and stressful the situation became: \u201cBoth Scott and I felt we had abandoned her over in Canada with no family and felt horrified that we might not be there to say goodbye to her.\u201d<\/p>\n
Determined to bring her home, the couple scrambled to find her the right treatment, and eventually connected with a recommended veterinary clinic that was willing to continue to provide Mardi Gras with the necessary fluid injections every second day after her arrival at Mickleham Post Entry Quarantine Facility in Australia. As if this wasn\u2019t enough, the worsening COVID-19 situation continued to pose a challenge in Mardi Gras\u2019 return to her hometown even after she arrived in Australia, as border closures in Victoria led to two cancelled flights. Eventually, Corey and Scott were able to book Mardi Gras on a flight that finally reunited them after months of being apart.<\/p>\n
Though our staff at Worldwide Animal Travel are missing Mardi Gras dearly, we\u2019re so pleased that she is once again with her family. And if you\u2019re curious like we were about how she got her name, Corey tells us that she was named after the gay pride march he and Scott attended the day they also waltzed into a pet store and locked eyes with a mischievous yet lovable cat they soon went home with, now known as Mardi Gras.<\/p>\n
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As a pet owner, you may find yourself explaining that looking after a pet is not that different to looking after a child. Although they are lower maintenance in many ways, there are also key similarities. Ensuring that you feed them, play with them, give them enough attention, and take them for medical check-ups are all crucial to keeping them happy and healthy. But beyond food and water, exercise is arguably the most important thing for your pet\u2014 especially if you have a dog. Even if you live in Canada like us, temperate weather is not a good excuse for neglecting exercise during the winter months.<\/p>
Take them for walks<\/em><\/strong><\/p> Despite rain, snow, sleet and ice, it is important to take your pup outside for a little cardio. Simply walking down the street (if that\u2019s as far as you can make it) will be better than nothing for their little hearts, lungs, joints, and bones. Be sure to dress the both of you accordingly\u2014 dog jackets and booties are not just for people who like accessorizing, but often necessary to protect your dog from the elements. If your neighbourhood is heavily salted and your dog refuses paw-wear, be mindful of where they are stepping and wash them off afterwards.<\/p> Take them to the park<\/em><\/strong><\/p> On days when the weather is not too <\/em>frightful, time at the park is also enjoyable for dogs, even during colder months. Parks (especially dedicated dog parks) typically allow them more freedom and space to run around, which is great for playing and socializing. Although they can\u2019t exactly tell you, these activities are often necessary to keep your dog happy throughout the grey and gloomy stretch between November and March. Bring a ball with you for a game of fetch, and wear proper footwear so you can run around with them. If other \u201cspirited\u201d pups are there at the same time, be careful they\u2019re not roughhousing or overexerting too much.<\/p>