Travelling cat Kurri covers 15,000 kilometres in two months

Kurri, a nine-year-old cat adopted from an animal shelter, travelled 15,000 kilometres across 14 countries in two months, reaching Armenia, ERR’s Ringvaade reported.

The journey was Kurri’s sixth summer road trip and his longest so far. He travelled with his owner, Katri Bagirov, her mother and her husband, with the group planning their trips largely around the cat.

“We are a travelling group because we are Kurri’s people, and all our trips revolve around him. At least in recent years, we choose everything according to Kurri,” Bagirov said.

Kurri came into Bagirov’s life after she volunteered at an animal shelter helping cats find new homes. She also served as a foster carer, and took in Kurri after finding him in the worst condition among cats kept in quarantine. A veterinarian diagnosed him with pneumonia, which Bagirov treated before she began looking for him a permanent home.

Kurri was not initially comfortable travelling. Bagirov said his first car journeys caused anxiety, an upset stomach and motion sickness, and she had to cover her car with plastic and newspapers while training him to travel. Today, he climbs into his travel carrier with little difficulty and is ready to leave.

The first long trip came nearly three years later, when the family decided to travel by car rather than fly. They drove through Germany, France, Spain and Portugal, where Bagirov was surprised by how much Kurri walked, including through entire villages.

Travelling with a pet requires additional preparations. Within the European Union, Kurri needs a microchip, a pet passport and a rabies vaccination. Travel outside the EU requires a health declaration confirming that the animal is healthy and has received parasite treatment.

The family also checks with accommodation providers before booking. Bagirov said smaller establishments have generally allowed Kurri to stay in the room, while larger hotels have more restrictive rules.