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."