Veterinary Prep for Export

Exporting an animal from the United States to Japan is a lengthy six month process. For the most accurate information, here is a link to a usda page about it: USDA Animal and Plant Inspection Service

Japan has strict laws to prevent an animal with rabies from entering the country. They must be:

✔️vaccinated for rabies

✔️have microchip identification 

✔️take a blood test that checks for levels of rabies antibodies

✔️quarantine for 180 days, which is six months (quarantine in this case, is really just a six month waiting period)

✔️inform the Japanese import office at least 40 days before arrival in Japan

✔️get a health certificate for each animal prior to export

Our cats were microchipped by the cat rescue we adopted them from. Last week I took our cats to a local veterinarian for their titer test. Hopefully the levels of antibodies for rabies will be high enough (they were vaccinated in December). If they are we are now on day 4 of their quarantine. 

As I mentioned in my prior post, Diamond is a scardey cat. After I open up both carriers so he couldn't hide in them, he hid here.

Here is Ralph. He is a bit more easy going about a lot if things...

...except for when he heard a dog bark in the lobby and hid behind me!

In total, we were at the vet nearly two hours! There was a lot of waiting, but at least we were in a room. They drew their blood individually and they each were gone 10-15 minutes, maybe more! 

We should hear in 4-6 weeks about their test results. Hopefully all is well and we'll be 4-6 weeks into the 180 days! 

I saw this on the veterinarian's wall. It's a good reminder for me, especially since we have busy days ahead of decluttering and packing. 

Meet the Family

Meet our Pokémon family! 

On the left in yellow is our 14 year old, G. He is a freshman in high school and has Turtwig on his head.  He loves Pokémon, writing, and playing video games, of course! He can grow a pretty CrAzy 'fro! 

To the right of G in red, is Papa P. It's his job that is taking us to Japan. He speaks fluent Japanese (he lived there two years shortly after high school). He loves red, Japan, role playing games, and playing video games with friends! His Pokémon is Dragonite; he made a cross stitched picture of Dragonite that is now hanging on his office door. It's pretty awesome! He can also grow a pretty good 'fro!  He once dressed as Napoleon Dynamite and he was a dead ringer!!!!

In the blue striped shirt and riding Solgaleo, is our 12 year old, C. He has long hair, but NO, HE IS NOT A GIRL! He is seriously tired of the gender stereotype that long hair automatically equals female. He loves mystery/ adventure/ fantasy novels, playing virtual reality (VR), and his favorite food is pizza. He could eat it for every meal.  

In pink is me, Jen.  My Pokémon is Sylveon, I love pink and girly things, even though I don't always dress girly.  I currently work in special education at an elementary school.  I love ladybugs running, crocheting, and playing Animal Crossing: New Horizons.  I'm pretty obsessed with Animal Crossing. I am managing three islands on different family members' switches...

The other two family members are Ralph, the dark tabby cat, and Diamond, the white one: he is a Flame Point Siamese.  Ralph is the dominant one and Diamond the literal scaredy cat!  Ralph is "standard issue cat" as Papa P says.  He really is. He can be a BIG JERK when he wants to be! He randomly picks on C. Diamond is sweet, but finicky.  He doesn't like it when other people come to our house and he hides under the bed. He loves drinking from the sink or shower and he shakes his tail at us when he wants attention.  

We are ATTEMPTING to bring our cats with us to Japan.  It's a lengthy six month process.  I will be adding more related to this. We have already started the process.

Season of Change

Our lives are about to take a DRASTIC TURN! This summer we'll be moving from the United States 🇺🇸 to Japan 🇯🇵! 

Our transition has already started. Once my husband was offered the position, we started to declutter. We, of course, can't take everything and do we really want to pay to store it? Decisions must be made! 

I'll be posting about our preparation to live Japan and eventually our adventures! Come join my family on our Japan Journey!