Bringing Pets From the UK

[doghandler 2]

I just wanted to post an update to say that Sally has arrived in the US and is now safely home with my fiance and I.

Although Sally's flight landed in Kansas at around 8:30, the cargo department (when we called them earlier) told us she'd probably be ready to collect by 9:30 at the earliest. We got there at 9, because my fiance and I would rather we had to sit and wait for her, rather than her wait for us.

It wasn't very busy at all at the cargo area. (Just one person leaving with their dog as we arrived, and another dog - a puppy - waiting to be collected). After confirming that I was the person authorized to collect Sally on the paperwork, we were told to wait.

About 10 minutes later, a member of staff brought Sally through to us. Asked to see my passport and had me sign a piece of paper. Then we were good to go. They didn't even ask us to pay the $50 fee (and when we asked about it, they just said "don't worry about it"). It was all extremely quick and efficient. They didn't even need to see our waybill ticket.

Although Sally looked a little sorry for herself in her kennel, she didn't seem overly frightened or agitated. The cat kennel that PetAirUK provided was very sturdy, and also came with a really useful funnel attached to the water dish - so Sally could be given water as needed. She didn't have any water left in her bowl when she was handed over to us, so as soon as we got her cage safely installed in the car, we filled her bowl for her and set off on the 3 hour drive back home.

She cried a little on the way home, but not too much. She seemed to sleep (or at least be napping) some too, which was good.

When we got her home, we let her out in the bedroom to begin with. (I didn't want to overwhelm her with too much new space all at once). She came out of her box cautiously, but certainly didn't hesitate to remain in the box any longer than need be. Sally loves affection, so as soon as she was out of her box, she came straight over for a fuss. Then she explored the room a little, and after satisfying her curiosity (at least for the time being) came back to us for more fuss. We offered her food and water again, and she ate and drank and then used her litter box. There was no mess in the actual cat kennel, so Sally had gone about 6 hours without relieving herself by then.

For the next few hours, Sally spent her time between wanting affection from my fiance and I, and eating and drinking. Although she seems unharmed by her journey, she does seem a little restless and very clingy. It isn't usual for her to follow me or my fiance around from room to room, but she's been doing so since she got here.

And although she's adjusting to her new home, she hasn't completely settled in just yet. She seems happy and content in the bedroom and office, but the living area seemed to frighten her and she seems nervous about entering that area. (My fiance thinks maybe the fact that it is a large, open area is why she is cautious). She also seems rather afraid of the rabbit, and ran to hide in the bedroom when she heard the rabbit make a noise in its cage in the living area. Oh, and she also seems to be upset by mirrors, for some reason. (She's been meowing at them a lot!)

We set up two feliway plug-ins throughout our apartment, in order to help calm her. I have had great success with feliway in the past, and I know that it has been effective in helping calm Sally during stressful events.

She seems extremely tired though, and from about 4pm onwards she's been following us from room to room and finding the nearest comfortable spot to sleep.

All in all though, the whole thing seems to have gone very well. I am very satisfied with the service PetAir have offered and would definitely use them again. (Also, something I found kinda cool-once Sally was on her England to US flight on Tuesday, I entered the flight details at Delta and got to watch the progress of the plane during actual flight. And PetAir also provided a link to Delta airline's cargo site, so I could check the status of my "package" and confirm that she'd been unloaded okay. It wasn't much, but it was a help at reassuring me.)

Bless Sally! She did it. Your posts are really helpful and reassuring to people like me who are about to put their pets through this. Thank you.

All in all, yes, it is undoubtedly stressful for any animal to be put in a crate and on a plane, but it is only 1 day out of their entire life.

[FrostyMist 1]

Personally, I think my cat has recovered from the traveling experience faster than my fiance and I tend to when we fly. Yesterday she was chasing her toys and hunting bugs. Flying is not something I would have subject my cat to if I could have avoided it, but Sally is certainly going to be happier here with me than she would be if I had left her in England.

I know it is a very anxious time for us pet owners though. I certainly hope that my posts have been helpful and reassuring to those due to fly their pets soon.

Edited May 28, 2010 by FrostyMist

[closed-20101014 3]

This is just more strsss added on top of everything though to be honest if I even get the vidsa, having to give up my cat will be a somewhat small sacrifice as it's already doubtful I'll get the visa.

I don;'t know what to do with my cat. He was not originally my cat. Unofficially abandoned with by a neighbour. I had been feeding him prior for months. I don't know how old he is. I only know he is neutered and has his shots. I dopn't know if they chipped him. They have disappeared, I've not seen them in weeks.

I'll be taking him to the vet this week to try to ascertain things but do I have a hope in hell of keeping him or do I have to pass him on to UK relatives? I can't leave him here, everyone here loves the cat but absolutely none of them feed him or let him in their house. He has a problem with excessive shedding.

[Twinkles 10]

I have seen Heathrow mentioned quite a bit in this thread. Am i wrong to assume that cats leaving the Uk for America must leave via Heathrow?

Any advice is much appreciated.

[FrostyMist 1]

I have seen Heathrow mentioned quite a bit in this thread. Am i wrong to assume that cats leaving the Uk for America must leave via Heathrow?

Any advice is much appreciated.

To my knowledge, it is not necessary to fly from Heathrow in order for cats to leave England.

I suspect Heathrow is mentioned a lot here, simply because it is a very popular choice of airport.

[doghandler 2]

Departure points are determined by the airline, not the airport. No all airlines carry live animals. Heathrow is mentioned a lot because it has an animal reception centre with specialised staff. I'm flying with Continental from Edinburgh. The airline tells you what flights you can get on. In Continental's case, I had to get certain flights, certain planes with a specific hold big enough for my dogs crates. But I think there is less restrictions with cats, simply in terms of space!

Some airlines won't allow you to book your animal yourself without using a petrelocator, British Airways for one. Also, their check in time for animals is 4 hours, Continental is 3 hours.

[Emler 0]

Hi

This has been a great thread to read, ive been reseaching moving my 10 year old staffordsire bullterrior to the US with me, these posts have helped alot with my decisions so thankyou to you all!! I have been particularly interested in the posts from Russell and Rachel and the lovely honey.....i'm thinking of using the company that you used (PBS), as i dont need the added stress with all the visa stuffs lol. Did it all go ok? would you still recomend them? Any info would be great

Many thanks!

Emma x

P.S. - the K1 visa forms were sent to the service centre today! wohoo!

[Twinkles 10]

To my knowledge, it is not necessary to fly from Heathrow in order for cats to leave England.

I suspect Heathrow is mentioned a lot here, simply because it is a very popular choice of airport.

Ah understood. After reading yours and doghandlers posts, i breathed a big sigh of relief!

Thanks alot to both of you =)

[nickandkayte 0]

I am looking to send my dog over in October when its a bit cooler here in Florida... I just contacted AnimalAirways and am just about to contact petairuk. Has anyone else got any recommendations as far as good companies?

[FrostyMist 1]

I am looking to send my dog over in October when its a bit cooler here in Florida... I just contacted AnimalAirways and am just about to contact petairuk. Has anyone else got any recommendations as far as good companies?

PetAir UK were the company that I used to transport my cat over to the US. They were wonderful, and the whole thing went without a single problem - even though I was actually in the US and the cat was being taken care of by my mum in England.

Email service prior to travel was excellent. Response was fast and reliable, and I always dealt with the same person every time I sent a question by email. All information was very clearly explained and they were very flexible about travel arrangements. They even found me a quote to have my cat collected from the airport in Kansas, though I decided to decline in the end because the cost was very expensive.

At around £700+ it was very expensive. But definitely money well spent. They came to collect Sally promptly, and once she was in their care, they kept my mum up-to-date with everything whilst Sally was still in England. I had regular emails from them, including tracking information so I could check she was boarded onto the plane (and then onto her connecting flight).

When I collected her from the airport, she was in a good sized cage and had been provided with water and bedding. All her paperwork was in order, and although she was a bit miserable being in the cage, she was not at all overly stressed out.

[RUSSandRACHEL 3]

Hi everyone! I know there hasn't been a recent reply on this thread but I decided to visit VJ again today after moving nearly a year ago to the States so wondered how everyone's getting on... I moved from Birmingham in the UK to NJ with my Honey (a labrador) last May and although it was so incredibly stressful, it was worth it a million times over in the end! If anyone needs any advice or just words of reassurance please let me know or send me a private message!

Heres a little pic of the happy family!

Edited April 23, 2011 by RUSSandRACHEL

[hamtaro 4]

Do not know what to think any more. Was going to travel United airlines as all other options now have a summer embargo on any species. But I saw this page http://www.united.com/page/article/1,,53410,00.html and it says animals not accepted from United Kingdom???? This is just bloody typical.

[Mike&Rach 0]

Hi everyone

I'm looking for some advice. I'm planning to take my cat from Manchester to Chicago when I fly over. The only direct flights from Manchester are with American Airlines and they have to in as cargo... I think my cat would be a lot better with me from experience of taking him places in the car AND I would feel a lot better with him near me.

Has anyone flown from Manchester before with another airline? I'm I best travelling to Heathrow and getting a flight? Which are the best airlines to fly with? Does anyone have a magic wand so I can zap him there?

[David And Katie 5]

I'm not sure if there are any other direct flights from MAN to ORD except via AA.

You could look at Continental from MAN to EWR (Newark) and then an onward connection to Chicago. I did that once (but not with a pet, sorry!).

[Mike&Rach 0]

I'm not sure if there are any other direct flights from MAN to ORD except via AA.

You could look at Continental from MAN to EWR (Newark) and then an onward connection to Chicago. I did that once (but not with a pet, sorry!).

Thank you I will have a look at Continental