We hope this FAQ answers a few concerns and questions. However, if you want to ask any other questions, please no not hesitate to contact us.

Will my pet change character or suffer a change of personality after coming out of quarantine?

Due to the nature of the routine and regime of care and attention that we offer, we are pleased to say that pets in our care have not experienced this. * What people say?

Will my pets not recognise me when they come to my new home?

Since 1988 we have had in excess of 1,000 cats and dogs passing through our hands, we have never heard of this occurrence.

If my pet becomes ill, will I be informed and may I get a second opinion if I wish to?

Our Veterinary Superintendent, Michael Smalley, has been attending our quarantine premises since we opened in 1988. He is the joint senior partner of the practice of Smalley and Blaxland and they have five vets in the practice. Their veterinary hospital is first class, but they are always prepared to call in extra expertise if needed. In the unlikely event of your pet being ill - beyond basic upset tummies for example, you will be informed. You will also be given the opportunity to speak directly with the vet in order to be fully aware of the situation.

Are vets fees very expensive?

The veterinary examinations, rabies vaccinations are all included in our fee structure. However, as our fees also include veterinary insurance for any non pre-existing conditions, up to £250 per condition, you shouldn't suffer any surprise bills. This is operated by PetPlan Insurance and is hands free, so far as you are concerned.

I believe you don't always know the fees, as there are so many extras.

The Animal Inn gives you a fully inclusive, itemised quotation, so you know right from the start the final expense to anticipate, and there won't be any hidden extras.

Some kennels only feed one food and the pets either like it or lump it?

The Animal Inn feeds tops quality foods from the major producers - Iams, Eukanuba, Hills, Pedigree of both complete and canned products. In addition some frozen meats are available. All cats and dogs are fed twice a day, unless they need three feeds daily, as occasionally may occur for puppies or sick animals.

All pets are weighed upon arrival and then regularly thereafter in order to maintain, increase or reduce the pet's weight, according to discussion with the owner. We have regularly acted as a health farm to rediscover the waist of some much loved but overfed pet.

Am I allowed to regularly visit my pet?

We appreciate that your pets are as important to you as ours are to us. We further understand that not everyone can visit at weekends, so we have easy access, without appointment, visiting as follows:

Daily 11.00 - 13.00 and 14.00 - 17.00 Closed Sunday afternoons and Bank Holidays.

Should I visit my pet?

The choice is entirely yours. For many owners they know it will be a highly charged and emotional occasion that won't necessarily help their pet - but may help them. Consequently they may choose to visit only a few times over the period of the six months. Others come and visit every week and their pets respond fine to this as well. Some owners send their pets ahead of their own trip; so making the departure easier and the reunion feel sooner after your arrival in Britain.

The ministry says to allow eight weeks for an Import Licence.

The majority of customers know well in advance that they are moving to Britain, but occasionally this is not the case and notice may be very late. Subject to availability, it has been however also been achieved - through good relations with MAFF, in a week with the Boarding Document being sent express to you by DHL or FedEx.

You can only call the quarantine during office hours.

Good communication gives confidence, so as Mark and Jill live at the premises, as a personal service they do not put on an answer-phone after general office hours. We believe we are in a service business and with the differing time zones around the world; our customers must be able to speak with us within a reasonable time frame. In addition we are of course on fax and email. We also have a facility for customers to access their own pet's site on our web page and get recent photos, comments, vets reports etc.

Isn't the quarantine contract unfair?

Certainly not, please feel free to view our contract and decide for yourself.