Pet paperwork for international sailing is manageable if you start at least 8 months ahead
Lauren frames the paperwork burden for sailing internationally with a pet as challenging but entirely doable, provided you research the entry requirements for every country on your route with plenty of lead time. Her rule of thumb is at least eight months in advance, so your animal can complete any required treatments, tests, or waiting periods before you arrive. Despite the logistics, her overall verdict is that sailing with a cat is worth it, even though it has become the single most difficult aspect of her cruising life.
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Finding someone to watch a cat and a boat simultaneously is one of offshore sailing's hardest logistics problems
When Lauren cannot fly Mo home, she needs someone who is both willing to stay aboard the boat and capable of looking after a cat, which is a narrow overlap of skills. She is fortunate to have a friend named Isla nearby who can step in, but
Cargo-hold restrictions make flying back to the US with a cat nearly impossible west of Tahiti
Lauren can fly out of Tahiti with Mo in the cabin, but on the return leg, and essentially everywhere else across the South Pacific including Australia and New Zealand, he would have to travel in cargo. She considers that unacceptable unless
How Lauren Landers Sailing keeps a picky cat fed while cruising offshore
Mo will only eat one type of dry food, which makes provisioning a real logistical challenge. Lauren has flown it in from the United States, shipped it into St. Martin when shipping was possible, and keeps roughly five bags in stock at any g