Sonny Bunny's Travel

Sonny Bunny’s Travel

Unless you've been living under a rock, you already know that I obsess over our orange tabby cat!  From day one, I've called him “Mini-Me” because he truly is my clone:  OCD about dirt, control freak, loves to aggravate Tom, etc.   (Yes, we even took him to Disney World!)

Because I am a crazy cat dad, my number one worry about moving abroad wasn't selling everything, moving away from friends and family, quitting a job I love – no, it was how to make Sonny Bunny’s relocation as stress-free as possible.  

He turns 16 on July 4, 2015.  (He’s a rescue; therefore, we don’t know his exact birth date.  He was about 9 months old when we got him.)  Until this autumn, he’s been very healthy due to his completely stress-free lifestyle.   His biggest concern is: which of his 5 beds is he going to nap in today?

With his recent surgery to correct a urinary tract issue (and a few related complications) my concerns about his health have skyrocketed.  Fortunately, he has the city’s best veterinarian, and he’s now recovered.   Still, one of my first tasks upon arriving in Cuenca is to find a great vet.  Thanks to other cat owning ex-pats, I have some great recommendations.  Prepare yourself, Cuenca – Cat Daddy is about to arrive!

NOTE:  We are following Ecuador's written rules in obtaining all of Sonny's paperwork.  Many ex-pats claim that pets (especially cats) merely get a glance when arriving in Ecuador.  No paperwork is checked, no documents denied, nothing questioned, etc.  Better safe than sorry!

Taking a pet to Ecuador really isn't difficult.  There’s no quarantine requirement for bringing pets into Ecuador.  AS OF NOW, there is no requirement that they be micro chipped, nor is there a requirement that the pet be spayed or neutered; HOWEVER, timing is crucial.

Sonny just returned from the vet for the first round of vaccines, updated rabies shot, and a microchip.  He must have those shots at least 21 days prior to arrival in Ecuador.  Although Ecuador doesn't require a chip (at least not yet) we decided to go ahead and chip him anyway - just in case the rules change OR he gets separated from us.

We have to take Sonny to our vet within 10-days of our departure.  On Thursday, February 12, our vet will do a general check-up and make sure Sonny has the required vaccinations and flea treatment.  Nothing unusual – he’s got everything needed, but our vet still has to sign off on the paperwork.

On Friday, February 13, Tom will drive the paperwork to a USDA-approved vet in Raleigh, North Carolina.  That vet will then certify the paperwork, and release Sonny to travel abroad. 

THEN, the road race begins:  On Tuesday, February 17, we have to drive to the Ecuadorian Consulate in Atlanta, Georgia with his USDA-approved paperwork. Sonny does NOT have to go.  For a $50 fee, the Consulate will issue Sonny his very own entry visa for his Pet Passport.

72-hours in advance of our arrival in Guayaquil, we have to call an Ecuadorian office to alert them of Sonny’s arrival. 

Sonny is going in the cabin with us.  He’s traveled many, many miles via RV; however, this is his first trip via airplane.  We will sedate him for the trip.  We have a 3-hour layover in Miami, but fortunately, we will spend it in the Admirals Club.  We’ll hide out with him in a quiet corner.

We bought him a fancy new carrier http://sleepypod.com/air   and a TSA-approved harness (no metal) for the airport security checks http://www.tsafastpass.com/ 

Stock Photo- NOT Sonny Bunny!

Because he will be in the carrier for many hours, we also bought him these pads to put in his Sleepypod:   http://sleepypod.com/dryfur   just in case he has to pee between stops.

We are going First Class on an American Airlines’ 767-300ER.  That aircraft has seat pods that become beds.  We've been in those seats before….and the footrest area where Sonny’s carrier will ride is pretty tight.  I’m sure I’ll end up putting his carrier on my lap in flight (to avoid drafts and help me relax as well!)  The flight from Miami to Guayaquil is about 4.5 hours.

For the record, I expect a water cannon salute as we taxi to the terminal. The Royal Prince Sonny Bunny Campbell Coker has arrived on Ecuadorian soil!

An American Airlines Boeing 767 receiving a water cannon salute.  Pay attention, Ecuador!

We will take two disposable litter boxes for the trip.  The first will be used at our overnight hotel in Guayaquil, and the other will be used at our apartment in Cuenca until we go to the store and buy him a proper box.

I've tried to think of everything he will need for the journey:  collapsible food and water bowls, food, snacks, beds, toys, and litter boxes.  God help Tom Coker on this journey with a 15-year old cat, and a neurotic cat dad!