T
he trip: First, a flight from Berlin to Amsterdam; second, the long flight from Amsterdam to Santiago de Chile with a stopover and deboarding in Buenos Aires; and finally, a rental car drive from the Santiago airport to Talca, where my wife is already settled and I'll be joining her soon. Total time (door to door): 36 hours (!!!)But before Zenzero sets even a single paw off Berlin soil in the direction of Talca, the real adventure begins months in advance in a jungle of paperwork and vaccinations. Cost for all that: ca. 700 €
The journey starts at the vet: First, the ISO microchip must be in place and documented in the blue EU pet passport, immediately followed by the rabies vaccination, which must be administered at least 21 days (and a maximum of 12 months) prior to departure.
In the final sprint, every time window counts: Exactly 5 to 30 days before arriving in Chile, veterinary treatment for internal and external parasites is due, before the official Berlin state veterinarian stamps the official health certificate a maximum of 10 days prior to departure.
At the same time, the logistics with the airline and the weighing scale become the final bosses: Transport in the cabin must be explicitly confirmed and approved by the airline in advance, and the additional pet-in-cabin fee of €200 must be paid. Additionally, an airline-compliant transport bag must be purchased in good time, with meticulous care taken to ensure that the cat and bag combined do not exceed the strict limit of 8 kg.
Only with a complete set of stamps, a confirmed airline booking, and the right fighting weight does nothing stand in the way of the flight into the Chilean Central Valley.
Of course Zenzero sensed that something was happening because of all the fuss. Then days before the flight, Zenzero got more and more stressed. He kept hiding in the corner behind my desk under the heater. He knew whatever was coming would be coming soon. Still, he managed to have a few good moments before the journey began.
He still was our “rey de la fiesta” - our king of the kitchen parties
And he still found time to dedicate to his favourite hobby: sleepling while looking cute.
Then came the day, July 23, 2026, when after 8 years together, I had to (temporarily) say goodbye to him—a sad moment for both of us.
We took an Uber to the airport, to put as little stress on Zenzero as possible. Here he is already in the box (in cabin cat carrier) that apart from short moments on a toilet in Buenos Aires, he would stay in for the next 36 hours.
The last photo of us together, right before security and the final farewell.
My wife and me said goodbye. The next time we will see each other, I will become a proper Chilean and stay in Chile.
Upon arriving in Amsterdam, my wife had to sprint with the 8 kg cat carrier. Her inbound flight was delayed by 30 minutes, and the long-haul flight to Santiago had been pushed forward by an hour. With only 45 minutes from landing to takeoff, there was simply no time for pictures.
She got lucky and made it to the flight in the last second, before they would close the door. Imagine an additional night in Amsterdam with a cat, but without a cat toilet, cat litter, etc. - a nightmare.
On the long flight, Zenzero had to be in his carrier under the seat, at least for starting and landing.
During the stopover in Buenos Aires, Zenzero was finally able to stretch his paws. Without further ado, my wife let him out of the box in the bathroom. Of course, he was treated to some Churus (liquid cat treats) and plenty of petting.
A selfie of the two, both completely worn out and drained from the long trip.
Finally, the big moment: Zenzero touches down on Chilean soil at Santiago’s Arturo Benítez Airport. Before he’s officially in, though, he has to go through customs—where they verify his papers (EU pet passport and official vet health certificate) and inspect his carrier bag for contraband.
My heavily loaded wife, left the airport and needed to find the rental car.
Then the last part of the journey awaits, a 270 km drive on Ruta Cinco from the airport in Santiago, to our apartment in Talca.
