When I transported Scout two years ago, the Animal Transport company in Toronto was so on the ball, so detail-oriented, so specific in their instructions. They laid out exactly what would happen, when the dog had to leave one country and arrive in the next, what were their responibilities, what were mine — almost military in their precision.
I really liked the Scottish company they used to ‘receive’ Scout in Glasgow, so of course I called them this time (of course, I think they may be the only domestic animal transport company in Scotland but still — I had been impressed with how caring they were). I told them the day of my flight and arranged for them to pick Scout up the day before (that would be this coming Sunday). We have been in frequent contact over the past few weeks: rabies shot, bill payments, various certificates — it all seemed to be flowing pretty well.
That is, until 25 minutes ago, when they wrote to tell me that Scout will be flying out late on Wednesday (that’s 60 hours AFTER I leave). And I have to get her to an approved vet within 72 hours BEFORE she leaves for medical clearance. Let’s take that second point first. At no point in any of our communications did they tell me to be ready for that ( I even asked in one email, altho that was more about rabies shot, I guess). The local vet is closed on Sat/Sun, but they have a surgery open in Motherwell for 2 hours on Saturdays, they are impossible to get an appointment and I have no idea if any of their vets are ‘OV accreditted’. And even so, I won’t have a car on Saturday, and am leaving Monday morning. Which leads to the first point: I leave Monday morning.
Just got off the phone with them. They may be able to get her out on Sunday, the day before I leave, but won’t know for another few hours. And I am now phoning around Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, & Ayrshire, looking for an accreditted vet who can see her on Friday or Saturday.
Trying very hard to stay calm.