Adopting a Cat or Kitten

Many visitors to Hydra fall in love with a cat or kitten and would like to take him/her home. When we are able, HydraArk would like to help make this possible. We would like to share the following information regarding the procedures for preparing an animal for travel.

1. First you need to find out where the cat lives. If the cat lives outside you need to know the hours he/she is fed in order to be sure to find him/her before you leave Hydra. If the cat can be inside just one day before departure, things are even better.

2. You will need to take the cat to a vet to prepare him/her for travel outside Greece. This means: microchip, vaccine against rabies, vaccine against common cat viruses, antiparasite spot-on for fleas and ticks, antiparasite pill for worms, and general check-up. The vet will issue a pet passport with the microchip number details of the vaccines, antiparasite treatments, and clinical examination. This must happen a minimum of three weeks prior to the animal’s travel to another country. PLEASE NOTE THAT CURRENTLY THERE IS NO VET CLINIC IN HYDRA, SO THIS PROCEDURE NEEDS TO BE DONE IN ATHENS OR A VET IN PELOPONESE.
AN IMPORTANT REQUIREMENT FROM AIRLINES AND EU LAWS IS THAT THE MICROCHIP DATE IS ALWAYS PLACED BEFORE THE ANTIRABIES VACCINATION DATE.

3. You will need to buy a pet travel bag for a kitten or a travel cage for a cat. It should be lined with an old towel or newspapers or a diaper just to be sure in case of an ‘accident.’ The towel or diaper can be easily removed and changed if necessary during the trip. THE DECISION OF HARD BOX OR SOFT BAG SHOULD ALWAYS BE IN LINE WITH THE RESRVATION YOU HAVE ALREADY MADE WITH YOUR AIRLINE FOR THE RETURN TRIP. IF PET RESERVATION IS IN CABIN, A SOFT BAG IS REQUIRED. IF PET RESERVATION IS IN HOLD A HARD TRAVEL BOX IS REQUIRED.

4. You will need to check with the flying dolphin company to make certain it is OK to take the pet with you. You also need to arrange ahead of time your transport in Athens (pets in pet carriers are usually accepted on the bus to the airport, on the metro, and in taxis—it depends on the taxi driver, as some drivers want to put them in the boot).

5. If you plan to stay in a hotel in Athens, you will need to call ahead and make certain they accept pets.

6. It is necessary to telephone the airline and make an extra pet reservation on your flight and make sure that there is space in the aircraft to take the cat with you. Most European airlines accept one pet in the aircraft cabin and have special space in the aircraft hold with oxygen and correct temperatures for pets; however many low-cost airlines (e.g., Easy Jet and Ryan Air) do not allow pets on their flights. The reservation for the pet can be made either in the cabin or in the hold according to the availability. The cost varies for each airline, starting from 50 euros per pet.