From: Jolandi Van Heerden

Sent: 16 July 2011 03:15 PM
To: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; Petwings
Subject: A big thankyou for everything you did for our little family

To all the staff at Keringa,
 
When we initially decided to make the big move to Australia, there was no doubt in our minds that we could not leave our two "kids" (Ebony and Oscar) behind.  However, after visiting some of the other quarantine stations in Gauteng, we almost changed our minds as we just could not face the reality of leaving our two kids at some of those facilities for a period of six months. 
 
Thankfully, we found Keringa!  From the first day we visited your facility we were at peace, knowing that our kids would be well looked after and loved during their quarantine stay.  Collin, Mark and the team were absolutely superb!  It was great getting regular updates from them regarding our "puppies" and it was evident all along that the entire team at Keringa shared a true passion for animals.  Words are not enough to express our sincere gratitude for EVERYTHING along the way - making sure that the pups always had a clean and tidy "home" during their stay, taking great care to ensure the health of both Ebony and Oscar, keeping an eye to ensure that Ebony didn't sneak away Oscar's food, making sure that Oscar always had plenty of "splash pool" available during the hot summer months, accommodating our requests regarding shade for the pups and, most of all, caring for our kids the way you did. Thank you for always accommodating our shift-work schedule with visiting hours - we cannot express how much it meant to us that we could visit our pups as often as we wanted to.  To the administrative staff, thankyou for the efficient and professional way in which you handled our documentation and finances.  Your quick response to queries etc. was supurb and it was wonderful seeing the friendly faces of the ladies at the front desk at each visit and always being greeted by a friendly and helpful voice during our telephonic interactions.  The service that you offer is truly world-class and something to be proud of. 
 
For other pet owners who are considering taking their pets with them when immigrating:
 
If you are considering it, then you should do it!  The experience comes at a high cost (financially and emotionally), however, a facility like Keringa makes the journey a good one.  And, once you are settled "on the other side"  it is absolutely wonderful to have your pets there with you. 
On a practical note, we would advise that, unless you are very familiar with the quarantine station at your overseas destination, that you keep your pets at Keringa as long as possible (we kept our pups at Keringa for 6 months and then in Perth for the last month only).  The staff at Keringa are really wonderful, caring and accommodating.  In Perth, the quarantine station is government-run.  Without going into too much detail, it is sufficient to say that we were completely disillusioned by the service we received from them and thus VERY grateful that our pups only needed to stay there for a month. 
 
We included a few photos of the "kids" at our home in Perth.  Keringa, thank you once again for making this possible.
 
Best Regards,
Baren and Jolandi van Heerden