Relocation
I bumped into Petra by accident whilst we were walking our dogs, spotting the sign-written van, I just had to find out more … I introduced myself and said, ‘I love what you do for our rescued furry friends and was more than pleasantly surprised by her response, so we arranged a meeting for an interview …
Truly Amazing
Kapparis based, we met down at the Pig ‘n Whistle for a chat. I’ll just say it wasn’t what I was expecting, this lady is truly amazing! … Hungarian born, Petra studied Marketing at her local university. I first asked about the name, much as it seemed straightforward enough. She said, “I was thinking about names for ages, then one morning it just dawned on me, the link between my name and pet travel works perfectly, Petra, Pet Travel, Petravel” Clever! Petra added, “I even designed my own logo, it’s of my dog ‘Mona’, she’s a Snub Nose French Bulldog, very difficult to transport internationally”
Love Island
I asked Petra to take me back a bit, like, why Cyprus? As I often hear, it was love that brought her, she continued. “I moved here during the pandemic, in 2020, but I only stayed 10 months and moved back to London. I couldn’t find a job where I was respected, and eventually, I worked as a croupier in a casino, occasionally at very high-end private poker games. But I wanted more, so I moved lock, stock and ‘Mona’ back to Cyprus.
Determined
I was intrigued, so I asked ‘Then what’? Petra replied, “As I said, with the pandemic, all the borders were closed, so getting back to Cyprus seemed impossible as Hungary were in the red zone. Eventually, I was smuggled over the Hungarian-Austrian border and then over the Austrian to German border and dropped off at the airport in Germany by a lorry driver, where I had to wait 17 hours for a Direct flight to Cyprus, using a made-up address in Germany” … Now that’s what you call passionate determination!
Curious
I wanted to know more, so I asked ‘So what made you get into this industry? … Petra answered, “With all the transitions I made with my own dog ‘Mona’, I learnt a lot about the complicated transportation of animals, and it interested me immensely, so I researched much more, and then found an online course.
Rules & Regulations
Petra enlightened me; “Each live animal has its regulations, each breed of dog, cat, bird, rabbit, rat, or Red Panda. And, each country has their rules and regulations, and they are often refreshed. So, I travel and attend as many major conferences as possible to keep up with the latest requirements and conditions. Over the last three years, I have learnt so much. Furthermore, I always advise my clients to start planning to relocate their pets as early as possible”.
Personal Touch
I’d checked Petra’s reviews before we met, 5 Stars! … so I asked how she had achieved such success so quickly; Petra said, “I offer a more personal service, with no middle man, I make all the bookings, talking all the time with the client and with the receiving agent and of course the airlines. I pick the pet up myself, and I have built excellent relations with my agents worldwide. Very occasionally, like a recent request to get a cat to Sicily in Italy, where there is no system in place, I was requested to transport the cat myself, personally, in the aircraft cabin, where there’s a maximum weight limit of 8 kg”.
Perfect Every Time
I delved a little more, ‘so I imagine it’s mostly cats and dogs’? Petra said, “It’s not just cats and dogs, it’s what breed of dog? Where are they going? the requirements of that country, especially in the UK. Then we must verify the airlines’ requirements, the suitable travel crate, and the measurements of both the animal and the crate. I arrange the home collection and the home delivery in the arriving country. I often offer up to 3 airlines and arrival times at airports. Then, once accepted, we communicate via WhatsApp continuously 24/7, and so far in the 3 years I’ve been doing this, there has never been an error”.
Rescues
I was enjoying this interview, so I asked about Petra’s first consignment, which was a rescue flight of 21 cats to the UK in July this year … She added, “Since then, I have organised the flights of about 100 rescue animals, so far”
Insurance
I then wanted to know about responsibilities and insurance, and Petra said, “I’m insured to transport the animals to the airline’s agent, who then takes over responsibility. Of course, the aircraft’s hold is also pressurised, and the captain is informed that there are animals on board, to the extent that if the pressure drops below the required amount, the pilot will have to make an emergency landing at the nearest airport.
Impossible
I just had to ask about any exotic or unusual pets that she’s handled, the list was amazing, including two Red Pandas to India, Rats and Rabbits to Russia and, amazingly, 4 Parrots to Thailand. I asked ‘Why take 4 parrots to Thailand?, She said, “They were their babies” … I get that! … She continued, “In fact, several relocation companies in Cyprus said it was impossible, and then I was told that I was the only one who said it was possible to do, so I did it”
Family
Petra finished off by saying, “Every pet is unique, and I treat them like one of my family. I have extensive knowledge, handling all the paperwork and logistics for a seamless journey even when travel plans change at the last minute” …
Open All Year
9 am ’til 7 pm
Emergency: 24/7
Any Pet, from …
Anywhere to Everywhere!
More …
