Moving abroad with pets?

Question

My partner and I are leaving the country and moving to Bulgaria (before this country becomes a complete Totalitarian state). We are taking our 3 cats and 2 dogs, although i have no problem with all the blood tests and jabs they need i am very concerned about the microchip. Maybe that's an understatement, i will not under any circumstances have my pets microchiped. What do i do about bringing them with us to our new farm in Bulgaria?

ok, you don't understand why i don't want them microchipped... they are not numbers, they are living beings. they can also be used for mind control and tracking purposes. this is a complete erosion of their freedom. how many of you would want a microchip under your skin?

Ok, you all think I’m crazy, that's fine. I’m not stupid I have reasons for being suspicious. Pigeons in china have had a microchip implanted so they can be manipulated in such a way they lose their homing instinct and do exactly as the person with the control wants it to do.

I am not an idiot; I don't think the government is trying to control my cats. But it's morally wrong. I love my cats very much, they are like children to me and I would never hurt them or risk them being endangered.

Answer 1

The pet microchips are being used as mind control devices?! Hold on, let me adjust my tinfoil hat...

Edit: Chick, I have my cat microchipped for her own good. Cats aren't required to wear collars, and even if they were, they like to lose them when they're out and about outside.

And then, one of my neighbors likes to trap cats and take them to the pound, regardless of whether he knows they belong to someone in the neighborhood. And then we, the cat owners, have to run around worried sick looking for our pets, and end up paying the pound 30 bucks to "re-adopt" our cats if they aren't chipped, whereas if they're chipped they just scan them and make sure we're really the owners and return them to us.

I dunno, which do you think is worse? The cats enduring a split second of pain getting a chip injected into their skin? Or having them trapped by some shmuck and possibly not being returned to the people that care about them? You are insane to think that getting a microchip in an animal is immoral for any reason. You are insane to think that not getting a microchip is actually protecting them. Think of what you're leaving them vulnerable to.

Answer 2

When I moved overseas I had my cat microchipped along with all the other necessary vaccinations because I wanted her to come with me under the Pet Travel Scheme. The microchip itself is the size of a grain of rice and was injected very quickly just beneath the skin at the base of her neck between the shoulder blades.

You should also consider that for any reason if you ever need to return to the UK and take your pets with you, that unless they are microchipped that you would have to place them in quarantine. I've copied the reasons below from the DEFRA website

Q1. Why not allow identification of animals by tattoo only?

A. Because tattoos can fade or become unreadable over time. Numbers on a tattoo could also be changed by further tattooing. For these reasons the Advisory Group on Quarantine did not recommend tattooing as a reliable means of positively identifying dogs or cats. In addition, there is no international control on tattooing that avoids the risk of duplication.

As an alternative means of identification, microchips implanted in the animal represent a more reliable and permanent method. They are also easily readable and cannot be tampered with.

Q2. Do all cats and dogs in the UK have to be microchipped?

A. No.Only those that the owner wants to take abroad and then bring them back to the UK under the Pet Travel Scheme.

I'm not sure where your mind control concerns stem from, this is the first time that I have ever heard that mentioned. Nor does microchipping restrict their freedom in any way. Having your pets microchipped also gives you the reassurance that should they ever go missing or be involved in an accident, and end up at a vets or an animal shelter that they can be identified and reunited with you as soon as possible.

Answer 3

Why wont you get them microchipped, it seems strange. The microchip is a minute implant about the size of a grain of rice which is placed under the skin on the back of the neck. It is relatively painless as there are few nerves around this area. It won't harm the pet although an occasional growl/meow occur on injection. I dont expect you will be able to travel without a chip and a vet wont issue a passport either. I dont think theyll accept tattoos but you could try contacting defra. I would rather a chip than a tattoo anyday tough

Answer 4

While I do not agree with you with the mind control and not microchipping pets, it is your opinion and you are entitled to it. The only thing I can reccomend is see about having the microchipped and then having it removed. It sounds like the only compromise there is in order to have your animals move with you and not have the chipped. Otherwise, you will probably have to smuggle them in (which can't possible have a good end result) or leave them behind.

Answer 5

I agree with you about a micro chip in a human being but we are talking about pets , not people . Microchips are relatively painless , it is done quickly and this is a great why to identify your pets . Should something happen even after you are moved into your new home and one would stray from home , you have a much better chance of getting it back .It is a great idea . there are so many lost pets that never find their way back home . Think of it like getting your children their baby immunizations , its for their own good .

Answer 6

Hey we moved to Spain 2 years ago, brought my 3 horses, dog and a ferret out with us.

You need to go to the vets for their passports with their rabies and booster jabs. You have to have a microchip to ship them over so the ID in the passport matches up.

I dont understand why do you not want your pets microchipped?

My to cats, do ferret and horses are all microchipped. 1 minute of ouch for a life time of security. Or is there another reason against it?? But honestly pain wise there really is nothing to worry about.

For flying I cant reccomend Monarch high enough, they took great care of my 2 boys they were happy and stress free the other end!! (The horses came over by ferry)

Good Luck with the move!!

Answer 7

You might just have to go along with it. Perhaps you can get the chips removed again once you are in Bulgaria ?
I had not heard of your story with the chinese pigeon and don't quite understand why anyone would do that ? I mean to control a pigeon ? For what purpose ?
Unfortunatly I don't think there is a way round it if you want to take your pets.
Good luck in Bulgaria!

Answer 8

Microchips are a very safe and responsible way of making sure if your pets are either lost or stolen that they can be returned to you in good health. If you had children, wouldn't you have pictures and a set of fingerprints done to make sure that they were found safe and sound? The microchip are the same safeguard as those I've mentioned above.

Answer 9

Getting a microchip is for YOU. it is so they can find your cat if it ever gets lost. it has your name number and adderess on it. and some times they put it behind the ear. my one female got it and she is a normal cat. they are number to teh computer system, but they know the name too. don't be a coward and get it done!! i love cats too, they are my life and i would not do anything to hurt them, and microchipping is likegetting and ID and it being implanted into you, so when the police ask you anything, all they have to do is scan you, so they know u aren't lieing.

Answer 10

Think of how u would feel moving to a new place, getting lost, not speaking the language and being left to fend for yourself. U owe it to your pets if u really love them so much. The chip may just be the best thing u ever do! Good luck