Pet Relocation

[Moomin 292]

Personally I had a 5 hour layover. Most of all for the sake of my dog so she could get out and stretch her legs but that might be a way to at least take the worst of your concern. Otherwise some airlines have dog/pet motels in certain cities.

I don't know which airlines travels from/to Australia. A standard one, United, offers a service as well.

You have to look into having them checked in as cargo. More here; http://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/travel/animals/kennel.aspx

One more aspect - I pulled of the top of the kennel. About a week or 2 before departuring, I took it up on my bed and had my dog lay in it. Then I took it down on the floor and put her regular doggie-bed inside the kennel. Gave her a treat or toy when she'd just lay there. Then put the top on and my dog was already thrilled with it. So after arriving, I took the top of again and she now uses it(with a blanket) as her doggie-bed because she had grown fond of it and only had a positive experience with it.

From what I've found it hasn't been easy to find airlines that will allow the dog to go as extra luggage?

I'm moving over in about 4 months so I've also been looking into moving my dog over, it's a stressful process! Jetpets quoted me $3500 for him, a 20kg dog. Dogtainers quoted me $2000. So that seems more achievable. Although if I could find something cheaper I'd definitely go for it. But I just can't find much on them going as luggage...

Also concerning like travelfairy said, missing a flight & being taken home by airline staff - they have to do this for liability, they can't just leave your dog sitting on the runway for several days until another flights comes along. But my dog has big issues with strangers, so this whole move is going to be very tough for him. I would prefer he doesn't miss any flights, and no one takes him out of his crate, just in case! I'd rather he be crazy ready for a play after sitting in a crate for 15+ hours, rather than someone wanting to take him out for a walk or stretch and have him either bite someone in fear, or run away... I'm just stressing over the whole thing! Ahhhh

[Cattledog 0]

Personally I had a 5 hour layover. Most of all for the sake of my dog so she could get out and stretch her legs but that might be a way to at least take the worst of your concern. Otherwise some airlines have dog/pet motels in certain cities.

I don't know which airlines travels from/to Australia. A standard one, United, offers a service as well.

You have to look into having them checked in as cargo. More here; http://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/travel/animals/kennel.aspx

Yeah, we also have to go through immigration so that's time consuming while the dog keeps sitting waiting to be collected Which is why I was a bit more inclined to use a pet transport company, and have him sent the day after us so we can get all the immigration stuff sorted and then pick the dogs up the next day. But it's expensive...

As for getting used to the kennel, if we send the dogs with the transport company, we don't get the kennel in advance... But, my dog is crate trained either way so he won't have as bad of a time in it as my parents dog will..

[Moomin 292]

Yeah, we also have to go through immigration so that's time consuming while the dog keeps sitting waiting to be collected Which is why I was a bit more inclined to use a pet transport company, and have him sent the day after us so we can get all the immigration stuff sorted and then pick the dogs up the next day. But it's expensive...

As for getting used to the kennel, if we send the dogs with the transport company, we don't get the kennel in advance... But, my dog is crate trained either way so he won't have as bad of a time in it as my parents dog will..

True, and I completely applause thinking about the wellbeing of the dog

My immigration adventure at POE took about 5 minutes, maybe 10 including waiting in line. Depending on your POE, it might take longer ofcourse.

Whichever is best for your dog - you know your own puppy the best. : ) Either way, it's definitely not inexpensive yet worth every penny.