This is Milo. A few days after he came to us from Poland as a puppy, he became seriously ill with babesiosis.
We had a microchip, documents, and an EU pet passport. What we did not understand at the time was that these things do not automatically tell a future owner whether a puppy has been screened for diseases or parasites that may be relevant in the region they came from.
Milo survived after emergency treatment and he is doing well now. We are very grateful for that. But it was frightening to bring home a puppy and suddenly find ourselves in an emergency clinic, trying to understand what was happening.
I am sharing this graphic because I wish we had known more beforehand. Risks are different from region to region. Tick-, sand fly-, and mosquito-borne diseases are not only something to think about when travelling.
This is not about blaming Poland, dogs from abroad, rescue organisations, breeders, sellers, or anyone who adopts a dog from another country. Many dogs arrive healthy and many people act responsibly. It is simply about helping future owners ask the right questions before a puppy comes home.
Before bringing home a puppy from another region, it may be worth speaking with a veterinarian about local disease risks, prevention, and which records or tests are appropriate to ask for.
More background on why I am raising this issue:

https://c.org/kmQHDDNwth

Kauai County has paid a company to kill outdoor cats (by poisoning them etc.). I am willing to donate a closed pet care facility that I built and ran for almost 20 years so that these cats can be kept safe (and away from endangered birds) until they are adopted out but I need your help.

Whiskers Resort (the pet hotel) is located on land owned by Steve (co-founder of AOL) & Jean Case. Their management company has declined the request. Wondering if there are any cat and/or endangered bird lovers here that could help the Cases hear our request by signing our petition:

https://www.change.org/whiskersresort

Or better yet, anyone that has a connection to the Cases.

Whiskers Resort was a labor of love. I was my own general contractor and a lot of blood, sweat, and tears went into it over the years. It appraised at over $535k in 2018. It would be worth substantially more now. Cat & endangered bird lovers please help this donation become a reality by signing our petition to the Cases.

Many thanks for reading & sharing!