Quarantine Agent?

So I just got off the phone with Air Canada in Vancouver, and got a quote for shipping my cat, and they told me I must have a quarantine agent take care of things at the airport in london, is that true? they want £327 Canadian to ship the cat, and £292 for the agent to take care of things before I get him.

How come I cant just take care of those things myself? I'm already in the uk...

THANKS!!

Have you already gone through all the PETS steps to get your cat ready for shipping?  If you've done everything correctly, you shouldn't need to quarantine your cat.  http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/pets/procedures/owners.htm

They probably mean the Animal Reception Centre on the UK side. That's about what they charged me. And it ain't optional.

yeah pets stuff is done, it seems stupid that i cant just pick him up...

It's totally stupid, but all animals have to go through the Animal Reception Center at Heathrow.  On the upside, it seems to be very well-run.  They took excellent care of my cat.

DEFRA has got to check your animal and check the paperwork etc on this side.  Otherwise, what's the point of the process?

I didn't pay a dime at the ARC, but I guess it had to do with my carrier.  I did all the paperwork and accompanied my animals from ATL to Gatwick.

I really feel like a good a decent deal ~ $1600 for three cats inclusive for all transport and fees.  

I really feel like a good a decent deal ~ $1600 for three cats inclusive for all transport and fees.  

I'll say!  We paid ~ $1750 all in for two cats from Boston to Heathrow. 

I'll say!  We paid ~ $1750 all in for two cats from Boston to Heathrow. 

No kidding!  I paid $1,200 for one cat from Seattle to Heathrow.  Ouch.

No kidding!  I paid $1,200 for one cat from Seattle to Heathrow.  Ouch.

Oh, but of course she was worth EVERY PENNY.   Here we are at the ARC:

haha nice picture. i lived alone with my cat for 3 years. will be nice when it gets here haha, it looks like im going to be paying a little under £500, so not too bad i guess, thats with air canada...

You guys are very lucky...my kitty is still in California with my parents. I've seen him twice in the last 19 months. But he still remembers me. I really miss him lots.  :\\\'(

I'm not sure if this is what Air Canada is referring to, but there are customs fees at the airport.  Each airport has different fees, though, and Heathrow's are the highest.  You may want to call around to see if it is possible to fly into another airport (Gatwick, Manchester).  If  you're flying from Vancouver, I would expect there to be more than one option.