A couple named Amrutha Laxman and Deepak Sankar from Kerala, India brought their lifelong passion of rescuing cats in their home country to Moose Jaw, while navigating the extensive requirements, regulations, and processes of bringing their own five cats over to their new home in Canada. They are sharing their story in hopes of informing and encouraging other newcomers facing a similar move to not leave their pets behind, ensuring that they can remain part of the family.

In search of a quieter life than the city they grew up in, Amrutha and Deepak said they decided to move to the prairies about three years ago. They made the difficult decision to leave their cats in India with Amrutha’s mother until the paperwork was complete so the cats could legally enter Canada. To provide some comfort and maintain connection during the animal immigration process, Amrutha’s mother installed CCTV cameras around her home, allowing the couple to check in from Moose Jaw and watch live footage of their cats on their phones at any time.

The journey to bring their cats over to Saskatchewan faced many challenges. Several of the required vaccinations in Canada are not standard in India, as well as microchipping pets. The couple was able to source and mail in five microchips from a third party for a vet to install in each cat. In addition to finding their way through the proper documentation and veterinary requirements, Amrutha and Deepak also struggled with finding a home to rent that would allow all five of their cats once they were in their care again. Eventually, the couple was able to purchase their own home and no longer needed permission for pets.

When Amrutha and Deepak were finally ready to transport their cats, they faced a new set of challenges. The relocation agency gathered the cats from Amrutha’s mother’s home in India and drove them 10 hours to a larger city, where they spent seven days in quarantine and received the required checkups. The cats then boarded their flight and began their trek to reunite with their beloved owners. Since the agency’s service only extended as far as Toronto, the couple flew there to collect the cats and continued on to Regina together.

While booking the final flight, they learned that only one Air Canada aircraft was equipped to safely transport pets in cargo with a pressurized, oxygenated, and heated environment. Airline rules also only allowed one pet per person in the cabin, so they brought two cats with them on board while the other three travelled in the cargo space. A delayed pet handler nearly caused the cabin cats to miss the flight, but they made it on board just minutes before departure.

Amrutha said, “The most touching part of the experience was seeing our cats recognize us immediately after two years of separation, as though no time had passed.”

Amrutha and Deepak have been reunited with their cats and the cats have settled into life in Moose Jaw.

In India, they often paid for veterinary care for rescue cats out of their own pockets, with their priority being the health of the cats and reducing the number of strays. Now, they help out at a local nonprofit organization, SCRAPS, to continue their rescue mission. They are happy to call Moose Jaw their home now for themselves and, due to their hard work and dedication, for their five cats as well.

By Jessi Swan

For Moose Jaw Express