Harley, Ben and Emma

“Petraveller's information was clear and complete, and the communication was prompt.”

Emma and her two gorgeous Domestic Shorthair cats Harley and Ben recently travelled with Petraveller from Sydney to Milan. Emma talks about the special bond she shares with her felines and why she chose Petraveller for the international pet travel.

Emma and her then partner had been wanting to adopt a new kitten for some time, as her lifelong cat-bestie Picasso was getting old and Emma needed someone to take the reins from her. Emma says, “A local volunteer-run animal shelter ran a program to catch pregnant stray cats, give them a safe and nurturing place to wean their litters, and then attempt to rehome them after desexing them. We loved this idea of breaking the cycle of uncontrolled breeding, so we turned to them for the adoption. My partner had his mind set on a black cat, and when we arrived at the shelter, there were several to choose from who had just been weaned and desexed.”

She recalls, “We were given time to play with all of them, but the future Ben was all over us from the beginning so needless to say he chose himself for us. However, while we were playing with the black kittens there was another insistently meowing from her cage, trying desperately to get our attention. She had been placed in isolation as she had a bit of a reaction to the anaesthetic from the desexing operation, but she was clearly recovering well. She was one of the most unusually cute kittens I had ever seen, and I just instantly fell in love with her. I was about to plead with my partner to take her as well when one of the volunteers piped up and informed us that she is actually from the same litter as the black kitten. Well, I didn't need to do any pleading as that immediately sold us both – we'd be adopting brother and sister together. A week later, once all the vet checks, microchipping and paperwork was complete, Ben and Harley came home and they've been our beautiful little children ever since!”

Harley and Ben have very different personalities, but they absolutely love each other and often snuggle up together to sleep. Harley loves to vigorously groom Ben which he patiently puts up with, as it saves him the hassle of cleaning himself! Ben is a typical lazy, passive, laid back ornamental cat, extremely affectionate and placid, he'll let anyone do anything to him. 

Ben's favourite activities are sleeping, eating and being cuddled. She laughs and says, “He's basically a stuffed toy with a stomach! He sometimes wanders out the back door but has never done more than sniff around the veranda before bolting back inside and returning to his idyllic lifestyle.”

Emma was moving to Milan with Ben and Harley. She had relocated to Australia from Italy as an underage teenager with her mother and brother and now wanted to move back to explore her roots. She says, “After amicably separating from my partner last year I decided this was my chance to pursue a new life there. I have always kept strong ties with family and friends in Italy, frequently visiting and spending as much time there as possible, so my support network there is really solid.”

Emma did not consider leaving the cats behind in Australia, not for a second. She says, “My ex has relocation plans of his own, and he gladly allowed me to take custody of the pets. I have his full support for the move, and he's even going to help me pay for their travel. I cannot wait for them to settle in their new home and meet their Italian family.”

Emma wanted the very best for her cats. She began her hunt for the right pet travel company to assist her in the international relocation. Emma says, “I think I contacted every single pet travel agency in Australia requesting information on their services and quote. Petraveller beat them all hands down on both price and service. The information I received from Petraveller was clear and complete, the communication was prompt and friendly and the price was extremely competitive. Petraveller came in as the cheapest even after I requested pick up from a regional address, rather than Sydney, which saved me from having to ask friends for help as well as subjecting the cats to an additional journey and stopover.”

Emma was happy with her decision to choose Petraveller as her pet relocation partner. She says, “I would like to commend the team at Petraveller for their utmost kindness and professionalism. Organising an intercontinental move is stressful enough as it is and you've already made me feel that Ben and Harley are in the safest hands. I cannot emphasise enough how grateful I am for this, and how much more relaxed I am knowing this extremely important part of the relocation is being taken care of by such an exceptional team.”

We are overjoyed to say that Harley and Ben reached their destination safely and Emma was extremely satisfied with the pet travel experience. She says, “Ben and Harley arrived in Italy without a hitch, looking healthy and happy and they settled into their new home really quickly.” Thank you, Emma, trusting Petraveller with your adorable kitties. We wish you good luck on the move and lots of cuddles to Harley and Ben!