In the world of pet travel, former child actress turned influencer Rachell Ng recently made headlines by sharing her journey flying to Switzerland with her one-and-a-half-year-old Pomeranian, Poofie, as her in-cabin companion. Known for her role in the 2007 Mediacorp drama “Happily Ever After” alongside renowned actors such as Chen Liping, Elvin Ng, and Joanne Peh, Rachell documented her unique travel experience on social media.
What makes Rachell’s escapade particularly intriguing is the revelation of European countries that exempt pets from quarantine regulations upon entry. According to Rachell, Poofie’s behavior during the 13-hour Swiss Air flight was commendable, save for a minor moment of discomfort during take-off. Despite concerns voiced by some netizens about the disturbance caused by pets in the cabin, Rachell defended her choice, highlighting Poofie’s subdued demeanor compared to the typical disruptions caused by infants.
The viral TikTok video documenting their journey garnered over 133,000 views, eliciting mixed reactions from viewers. While some criticized the practice, others applauded Rachell’s seamless integration of pet travel into her lifestyle. Responding to concerns raised about the logistics and costs involved, Rachell disclosed that she paid approximately S$170 for Poofie’s in-flight accommodation, with additional expenses totaling around $1,500 for paperwork and related procedures. She acknowledged the complexities of the process and pledged to share insights in a future video.
Presently, Rachell and Poofie are making the most of their holiday, with picturesque scenes of Poofie frolicking on the beaches of Cannes and exploring the city from the comfort of her carrier. However, Rachell is quick to remind fellow pet owners of the importance of well-trained pets and emphasizes that her videos should not serve as encouragement for disregarding airline policies. Notably, Singapore Airlines (SQ) prohibits pets in passenger cabins but makes exceptions for passengers requiring assistance dogs, signaling the evolving landscape of pet travel regulations.
