From Forest Trails to Singapore Streets

A Family's Relocation Journey With Their Husky

Relocating to a new country is never simple. Relocating with a dog, especially one raised in open forests and cooler weather, adds an entirely different emotional layer to the experience.

For Rachel and her family, moving from France to Singapore meant adapting not only to a new culture and lifestyle, but also helping their beloved Husky, Skadi, navigate an entirely new world of tropical weather, apartment living, and busy city life.

What makes this story especially touching is that it is not only told through the eyes of adults managing paperwork, flights, and logistics, but also through the perspective of an 11-year-old girl who simply could not imagine life without her dog.

This is a story about family, adjustment, responsibility, and the deep bond between people and their pets.

Interview with Rachel

Was there ever a moment during the relocation process when you thought about not bringing Skadi to Singapore?

Yes, there was. When we decided to raise a Husky, we carefully considered our lifestyle and environment. We lived in a house with a large yard, right next to a vast forest where she could run freely every day. Moving to Singapore meant transitioning to apartment living, without a yard, and adapting to a completely different climate.

Our biggest concern was how such a major change would affect both her quality of life and ours. We discussed it many times, but in the end, we couldn't imagine leaving her behind. She is part of our family, and we felt that even if the conditions would be different from what she was used to, being together was what mattered most.

Before arriving, what was your biggest worry about relocating with a pet?

Our biggest worry was how she would adapt to Singapore's climate and apartment lifestyle after being used to wide open spaces and cooler weather. We were also concerned about making sure all the paperwork and relocation requirements were completed correctly so that the journey would be as smooth and stress-free as possible for her.

How was the journey itself for Skadi? Did anything unexpected happen during the move?

The journey itself went smoothly, although it was extremely long. We often wondered how she was feeling throughout such a long journey, but thankfully nothing unexpected happened.

We prepared extensively in advance, researched every detail carefully, and made sure everything was organized before the flight, which helped the relocation go as planned.

What was the hardest part of the relocation process?

The most challenging part was definitely the paperwork and understanding exactly what the process required. There were many regulations, documents, and timelines to manage, and it took a lot of effort to make sure everything was handled correctly.

We considered several different flight options and ultimately chose the one that allowed her to avoid quarantine upon arrival in Singapore. Since we also knew we wouldn't be able to bring her with us immediately during the first stage of the move, it was very important to find a place in France where she could stay comfortably and be well cared for over a longer period of time.

In addition, the relocation involved significant expenses, both for the move itself and all the pet-related procedures.

The best decision we made was hiring a local company in Singapore that specializes in pet relocation. They guided us through the entire process, made sure everything complied with the regulations, and handled all the arrival procedures at the airport, which gave us tremendous peace of mind.

How did Skadi react during the first few weeks in Singapore?

During the first few weeks, she was extremely curious about her new surroundings, both indoors and outdoors. The biggest adjustment for her was definitely the heat and humidity, and that is something she still struggles with today.

Over time, she became more familiar with the environment, but adapting to Singapore's climate has been an ongoing challenge.

What surprised you most about pet culture in Singapore?

I was amazed by how many dog guardians there are in Singapore. For some reason, I never expected dogs to be such a common part of everyday life here.

But what surprised me even more was the entire culture surrounding pets. There are countless daycare options offering different levels of facilities and services, often including pick-up and drop-off. There are also many grooming salons with a wide variety of treatments, swimming pools designed specifically for dogs, and an impressive number of stores dedicated to pet guardians.

Another thing that pleasantly surprised me was how friendly and tolerant people are toward dogs in public spaces. Overall, the dog culture here feels very different from what we experienced in Europe, and I'm still discovering new aspects of it all the time.

Have you discovered any favorite pet-friendly places, cafés, parks, or communities here?

We've discovered several great parks and pet-friendly cafés where dogs are warmly welcomed, and those places quickly became part of our routine.

The local dog guardian community is also very active, which made it much easier to meet people and help our dog socialize in her new environment.

Did relocating change your relationship with Skadi in any way?

Yes, it did. Since the move, she has become much more attached to us and noticeably more clingy. She also had to adapt to a much more indoor lifestyle, which is a significant change compared to the life she had before we relocated.

What advice would you give to someone planning to move to Singapore with their pet?

My biggest piece of advice would be to hire a local company that specializes in international pet relocation. Having professional guidance throughout the process provides enormous peace of mind and helps ensure that everything is handled properly while avoiding unexpected complications along the way.

In one sentence, how would your dog describe life in Singapore today?

"Very hot and humid, but full of new adventures."

A Child's Perspective

By Rona, 11 Years Old

Sometimes, relocation stories are not only about airports, paperwork, and logistics. Sometimes, they are about missing your best friend.

Rona, Rachel's 11-year-old daughter, shared her own thoughts about moving to Singapore with Skadi.

"I never imagined leaving Skadi behind in France. I grew up with her and did not have the heart to leave her behind."

For Rona, the hardest part was not the paperwork or the flights.

"The hardest part for me was not seeing her for more than an entire month."

Like many children deeply connected to their pets, the emotional distance felt far bigger than the physical one.

She also remembers how curious Skadi became after arriving in Singapore.

"My dog was definitely very curious and always sniffing and discovering new smells."

One of the biggest surprises for her was discovering Singapore's pet culture.

"What surprised me the most about pet culture in Singapore is how many pet-friendly places there are. In France there were no places like swimming pools for dogs."

And perhaps the most honest advice came from her simple reflection about relocation.

"Be ready to not see them for a while and be ready for anything."

When asked how Skadi would describe life in Singapore today, Rona smiled and answered:

"Singapore is very hot but full of new smells and friends."

For the Stern family, relocating to Singapore was not only about moving countries. It was about making sure every member of the family, including Skadi, could begin the next chapter together.

Thank you to the Stern family, Ithai, Rachel, Shira, Rona and Skadi for sharing their journey with Pet Culture Asia.