Hi Fi and Eric. We didnt ask for the pet passport. We got their jabs done and they did the passports. We didn't argue about it because we are taking the view that it must be better to overdo it that get caught out by not having something.
The thing is, Eric, they are treating the ferrets differently because they aren't on the dog, cat, bird, fish list. They all disagree as to what is needed and even whether they are allowed in at all. It does no good to say that ferrets are like kittens in size, dentition, and health requirements because the Turkish authoritiies just see them as commercial alimals because they arent on the "dog,cat,bird,fish" list. It does no good to say they are pets. It does no good to say they are neutered and therefore can not breed if they escaped.
We have explained that we will be accompanying them. We have explained all the details by phone and email ad nauseum. It's like bashing your head against a brick wall. I began all this months ago and followed the advice given. And the closer we get to flying out, the more info is seeping out of the woodwork, all conflicting.
Sadly DEFRA hasn't been all that much help really. We have spoken to them on the phone and we have been to see them too. They have provided help but when we follow it up we find out other information from the Turks. Sadly, they are better at dealing with europe. And NOW even they appear to be disagreeing with each other!
Because the ferrets are going as cargo, they will be dealt with differently at Dalaman (we have been told), and that is where the potential trouble will start because we will have to deal with customs (we have been told). I am fast getting to the point of not believeing anything I am told because in the last few weeks (few days even), we have been addled by so many conflicting rules/advice/opinions.
In all this I feel no one cares that these ferrets are much loved and very precious pets. No one seems to 'get' the fact that they are no different to cats and dogs in biology. They pose no threat to the country and I can't understand why they are making such hard work of it.
Moving abroad is stressful enough without this.