Be warned, never use Petport!

For any pet ***** reading this, this is a warning...never use this company to transport your pet! I recently enquired and used this pathetic's company's service to transport my staffie from JHB to CPT and what a nightmare!

Firstly the comms is dismal and only received upon requesting first. I requested a date change and even though i confirmed this, had i not double checked they would have booked the incorrect day. Come the big day and all the excitement of finally getting my little girl to join me in the mother city and I get sent to the incorrect pet lounge. Sure I could of got the directions wrong had it just been verbally given to me, but the directions were detailed and received over mail which i printed and followed 100%. To confirm my directional s****s, the agent at the incorrect pet lounge even mentioned that petport sends all their clients there and they need to direct them to the correct cargo site.

I finally get to SAA cargo and I am not listed as the collection person, clearly not the case as what is written on my confirmation form. So once that confusion was cleared, I finally get to see my little girl....please note up to this point i am very calm and totally relaxed as I understand mistakes do happen, we all are human.

Go to the collection point and while i can see my dog in the crate not even 20m from where i stand, they refuse to let me collect her, but insist on lifting her on a forklift like a piece of cargo and leaving her outside on the receiving deck. Again, I hold back at the treatment, and please note, not a petport representative in sight. There is no flooring in the crate ot bedding, just paper mesh and an empty water bowl. At this point my anger levels are rising and i quickly open the box to let my dog out. once i have confirmed that she is ok and secured my paperwork from the crate, there is not a soul in sight to assist or advise on the way forward.

I call the Petport office and speak to Beverley and advise that i want to leave and get told to just leave the crate as in and go. I literally confirm this 3 or 4 times and leave. At this point I have vowed to never use the services of Petport again and literally just want to get my deposit back and close this chapter.

Today i get told by Justine and I quote, "The reason we request the crate deposit is for situations exactly like this, where crates go missing. Our literature makes it clear that the refund is only processed upon safe return of the crate in good condition to our stock. We have been looking for the crate, and have been since you left it behind. You are welcome to take this up with the airline in your personal capacity."

WHY SHOULD THIS BE MY RESPONSIBILTY! I MEAN HOW DOES A BUSINESS OPERATE LIKE THIS, IT IS TOTALLY UNBELIVEABLE.

I advise anyone reading this, please note that I am a very calm individual and for me to complain takes a lot and i mean a lot. If you value and love your pets, dont use Petport!!!!!!

I will be sharing this on all the pet groups I am affiliated to as well, so that no one else has to have the same experience as i did.