Miss-Delectable
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New Zealand news on Stuff.co.nz
A British family paid $3000 for its cat, Snowy, to fly to New Zealand despite a 50-50 chance the 21-year-old moggy would die en route.
The Wilson family moved from London to Christchurch this month and there was no way Snowy was going to be left behind.
"I couldn't face my good wife and children if I didn't fork out to bring Snowy along or had her put down," said Brian Wilson.
Snowy survived the 30 hour-plus trip and is now spending her dotage sleeping and lying in the sun at the Wilson family's Lincoln property.
"She's as deaf as a post and a bit stupid but she's part of the family.
"She's been around longer than the kids have," Wilson said.
Before flying to New Zealand, Snowy had a slew of blood tests and veterinary examinations.
She was microchipped so she could be identified if she escaped during transit, and then sedated and flown to New Zealand in a plane's cargo hold.
The $3000 cost for transporting Snowy was the basic rather than the first-class option, Wilson said.
Despite the upheaval, the "old girl" was adjusting well to her new life in Lincoln.
Snowy joined the family more than 20 years ago when Wilson's mother-in-law found the American white short-haired cat hiding in her privet hedge.
The Wilsons put notices up around the area to find Snowy's owner, but when no-one claimed her they adopted her as their pet.
Lorraine Wilson said Snowy had a lovely manner and the family would not be complete without her.
Snowy was "loving" her new home, she said.
A Biosecurity New Zealand spokesman said thousands of cats and dogs were brought to New Zealand every year from overseas.
Pet owners paid about $150 to get their animal cleared by New Zealand authorities.
Every animal was inspected at the border, he said.
A British family paid $3000 for its cat, Snowy, to fly to New Zealand despite a 50-50 chance the 21-year-old moggy would die en route.
The Wilson family moved from London to Christchurch this month and there was no way Snowy was going to be left behind.
"I couldn't face my good wife and children if I didn't fork out to bring Snowy along or had her put down," said Brian Wilson.
Snowy survived the 30 hour-plus trip and is now spending her dotage sleeping and lying in the sun at the Wilson family's Lincoln property.
"She's as deaf as a post and a bit stupid but she's part of the family.
"She's been around longer than the kids have," Wilson said.
Before flying to New Zealand, Snowy had a slew of blood tests and veterinary examinations.
She was microchipped so she could be identified if she escaped during transit, and then sedated and flown to New Zealand in a plane's cargo hold.
The $3000 cost for transporting Snowy was the basic rather than the first-class option, Wilson said.
Despite the upheaval, the "old girl" was adjusting well to her new life in Lincoln.
Snowy joined the family more than 20 years ago when Wilson's mother-in-law found the American white short-haired cat hiding in her privet hedge.
The Wilsons put notices up around the area to find Snowy's owner, but when no-one claimed her they adopted her as their pet.
Lorraine Wilson said Snowy had a lovely manner and the family would not be complete without her.
Snowy was "loving" her new home, she said.
A Biosecurity New Zealand spokesman said thousands of cats and dogs were brought to New Zealand every year from overseas.
Pet owners paid about $150 to get their animal cleared by New Zealand authorities.
Every animal was inspected at the border, he said.
