Job Discussion Forums

Shalana · Joined: 08 Oct 2006 Posts: 150 Location: Istanbul

Has anyone brought a pet into Turkey and did you have any problems, assuming you had all your paper work?

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

dagi · Joined: 01 Jan 2004 Posts: 425

Shalana, if you are from a EU-member country you should look into the regulations of bringing a pet into the EU. It is fairly easy to bring a pet into Turkey, the problems start when you want to take it back to the EU.

Initially I wanted to bring over my two cats so I did some good research on this. You can PM me if you want to know more.

Shalana · Joined: 08 Oct 2006 Posts: 150 Location: Istanbul

I'll actually be bringing my cat from the States. I plan on having her microchipped, all her vaccinations, an identification card, a vaccination card and an international health certificate. I'm hoping that's all I need.

I'm also hoping it won't be too difficult to find an apartment that allows pets.

Lastly, I'm hoping canned or fresh fish and meat aren't extremely expensive since that's all she'll eat unless she's starving.

Righteous · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Posts: 6

Hey Shalana, I don't know anything about the necessary paperwork or the regulations regarding this matter but I think you should consult with a vet. and a biologist to check if the cats will be able to adapt to the changes in climate and maybe even nutrition.

This doesn't apply to cats but I've heard that yoghurt and ayran contains some sort of a bacteria(lactimus bacterius whateverus) which only exists in Europe and Asia. This bacteria will cause major stomachache and diarrhea when your metabolism comes across it for the first time. Assuming that there might be a similar case with something that the cat eats, you might come home after a long day at work and see that your lovely cats just turned your shared housing into a ****hole. You'll have enough things to put up with while tefling in Turkey... Catsh*t shouldn't be one of them...

Best of luck

justme · Joined: 18 May 2004 Posts: 1944 Location: Istanbul

I never got sick from the yoghurt...

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

That's because

yaramaz · Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2006 8:14 am Post subject:

That bacteria is in all natural yogurt. If you eat yogurt in Canada it's the same yogurt, approximately, as the ones in Turkey, Greece, Kazakhstan, etc. Its called Lactobacillus Acidophilus and its a good bacteria, good for building up your intestinal flora (which keeps you healthy and free of tummy bugs, esp if you go to other countries where your body isn't familiar with their bacteria). It's not found in the sweetened commercial yogurts so if you only eat those, you might get sick but I dont know. My cat loves yogurt. But then again, she is from Bostanci. But street cats dont usually have ready access to yogurt so she had to adapt too. No tummy probs so far.

Anyway, you can still get Whiskas and Friskies.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

But they have cats in Turkey ! Why import one ?

thrifty · Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 1665 Location: chip van

yaramaz · Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2006 11:57 am Post subject:

Why buy a cat when you can get one free? Mine was the daughter of a student's house cat so not feral. Very pleasant.

Besides, I couldnt possibly afford a cat on my salary. Rolling Eyes

thrifty · Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 1665 Location: chip van

yaramaz · Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2006 12:07 pm Post subject:

Don't be facetious. It isn't becoming. I can afford to buy drinks because I didnt pay for the cat. It's all about balance.

Baba Alex · Joined: 17 Aug 2004 Posts: 2411

Bogazicibaby · Joined: 22 May 2003 Posts: 68 Location: Istanbul

You shouldn't have any problems bringing your cat as long as you have the international health certificate and up to date vaccinations. They probably won't even want to look at your cat's documuments or the cat. I think the health certificates are only good for one week. I had to have mine redone when my flights were cancelled in New YOrk due to 9-11 .

I do recommend that you have a leash for the cat (one that goes around the body. The neck one is too easy to slip. This is for when you have to take the cat out of the carrier so that the carrier can go through the xray machine. Airports are noisy busy places and can freak out a cat that is taken out of its carrier. Should you let go of the cat when your holding it, its nice to have a way to keep it from running away and hiding. Scared cats claw and bite, even if its their owner.

You can find all kinds of cat food here. Some better quality than others and some the same as what you can find in the States. I've found a lot of nice Veterinarians in the places I've been.

I think some of the answers are rather flippent. Some people are very attached to their pets and take them with them when they move, even to other countries. Why is it necessary to make fun of them? My father is a veterinarian and doesn't see any problem with taking a pet on a long trip.
Yes, I did come with my cat. As a responsible pet owner, I didn't think it was ok to just let him run free and become feral after he had a life of indoor only living. Nor was it appropriate to foist him off on one of my many family members.
Pets are serious issues for some people and it was an appropriate question to ask for someone who has never been to Turkey and who wants to take care of their cat.