More creature comforts as EFL International joins IPATA

Just a year after Dublin-based EFL International Distribution launched a

pet shipping operation, the forwarder has joined an international pet

shipping trade body to further guarantee the quality of its service

offering.


One of Ireland's foremost independent logistics companies and the

long-time exclusive Irish agent of the worldwide U-Freight Group (UFL),

EFL International has become a member of the Texas-based International

Pet and Animal Transportation Association (IPATA), a non-profit,

worldwide trade association for animal handlers and pet moving providers.


As one of only three companies in Ireland accepted into membership, EFL

believes that this signifies the growing scale and professionalism of

its pet shipping services since its inaugural movement of two pet cats

from Thailand to Dublin in summer 2012.


EFL managing director Eddie Mullin considers that IPATA membership is a

nice way to celebrate a year of pet shipments since EFL International

become the first company in the Irish Republic to become an approved

carrier under the Irish Government's Pet Passport System.


He says: "Our membership of IPATA crowns a year of success that has seen

our pet traffic go from strength to strength and become a very important

part of our service offering. That is why we established our Pets on

Board division."


Pet animals can be moved by EFL International's Pets on Board division -

www.pets-on-board.ie


The movement of this live cargo requires EFL International staff to take

extra care throughout the animal's transit: this includes Customs

clearance, veterinary examination and documentation checks to ensure a

safe and speedy release of the animal to its owner. The service is

provided at Dublin airport from a mobile veterinary unit by a registered

and approved veterinary surgeon working with a member of EFL

International's pet specialist team on the day the animal arrives into

Ireland.


Mr Mullin adds: "With the mobile unit, owners and breeders importing

dogs and cats into Ireland, no longer have to arrange for their animals

to be transported from Dublin airport to the Government-approved

veterinary clinic six kilometres from the airport to complete the

required formalities; removing costs, reducing the processing time and

avoiding the extra travel for animals which may have already endured

long transits from their origin.


"Using the EFL service, pet owners benefit from being met at Dublin

airport by the mobile veterinary unit, together with a member of our pet

specialist team, on the day of arrival after the incoming flight touches

down."


Pets are often well-loved members of the shipper's family and Eddie and

his team are fully aware of the special nature of these cargoes. He

says: "We never forget that the cats and dogs we handle are so well

loved they become members of the shipper's family and are living creatures.


"We do everything in our power to ensure the safe and comfortable

passage of these living creatures, not only to ensure a relaxed journey

for the creature but a rapid acclimatisation when they reach their

destination.

"After all, when a client entrusts their beloved pet to us, they know we

will stop at nothing to offer the best in creature comforts to them."