Pets as hand baggage?

[Mags 112]

Well, I've now spoken to two Delta airline employees and got the SAME information. Yes, they do have an allowance of pets per flight, so I'll phone them to make reservations AND check at the same time. It IS first come, first served which is fair enough. It is $50 each way, per pet.

As it is my son and I flying we will be sitting in two seats together (Delta flies 767's, seat layout is 2-3-2) so hopefully it will mininise any potential distress to other humans who may hate cats or be allergic.

They will be travelling in sherpa bags which, although they have airholes, actually won't cause too much hair shedding. PLUS you have to remember it is winter, hair loss is minimal on cats this time of year.

Any poo/pee issues can be sorted out in the toilets I expect, and I will make sure there is plenty of newspaper in the bottom of the bags aswell.....

Cats don't need any vaccinations to enter the USA, but once you get to the state you will be residing in you need to take them to the vets to get them up to date with everything.

I spent many an hour researching this, ending with this email :

We are glad to reassure you that there is no quarantine for cats

entering the United States, nor are there entry requirements for rabies

vaccinations, microchips, or health certificates. Cats are subject to

examination at the port of entry to rule out any zoonotic diseases

(diseases that can be transmitted to humans) and may require veterinary

medical examination, treatment, and/or quarantine if they appear ill.

Although cats are not subject to rabies vaccination regulations, once

they have entered the country all pet cats are also subject to state and

local vaccination requirements, links to which are found at this

website: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/sregs/ Also you should inquire of

your air carrier about any requirements they may have for your animals

during transit.

We hope this information is helpful.

Sincerely,

Division of Global Migration and Quarantine

National Center for Infectious Diseases

And:

The requirements for entry into the United States (which are minimal for cats) differ from the requirements for pet ownership in each state. So when you arrive in Indiana, your local veterinarian will help you be sure you're in compliance with the state regulations.

Best regards,

Ava Navin

Ava Navin

Health Communicator

Division of Global Migration and Quarantine

National Center for Infectious Diseases

404-639-4376

404-639-4441 (fax)

The Delta employees also told me that to take a cat on as cabin baggage they don't require a vets cert to fly. It is only if they are going on a cargo that that is required. I guess because it is you handling them the whole time and not Delta employees.

Roblinklake ~

They no longer recommend sedatives. They can have a potential adverse effect when used at high altitude. It can be quite risky so I have heard. Most airlines won't let you give your pets a sedative now.

Edited November 15, 2006 by mags

[I'm Gone 60]

My vet told me not to give an animal a sedative when you fly because it can cause problems in high altitudes -- does anyone know about this?

HOW TO GIVE YOUR CAT A PILL

1. Grasp cat firmly in your arms. Cradle its head on your elbow, just

as if you were giving baby a bottle. Coo confidently, "Thats a nice

kitty." Drop pill into its mouth.

2. Retrieve cat from top of lamp, and pill from under sofa.

3. Follow same procedure as in 1, but hold cat's front paws down with

left hand and back paws down with elbow of right arm. Poke pill

into its mouth with right forefinger.

4. Retrieve cat from under bed. Get new pill from bottle. (Resist

impulse to get new cat.)

5. Again proceed as in 1, except when you have cat firmly cradled in

bottle-feeding position, sit down on edge of chair, fold your torso

over cat, bring your right hand over your left elbow, open cat's

mouth by lifting the upper jaw and pop the pill in - quickly. Since

your head is down by your knees, you won't be able to see what

you're doing. That's just as well.

6. Leave cat hanging on drapes. Leave pill in your hair.

7. If you're a woman, have a good cry. If you're a man, have a good cry.

8. Now pull yourself together. Who's the boss here anyway? Retrieve cat

and pill. Assuming position 1, say sternly, "Who's the boss here,

anyway?" Open cat's mouth, take pill and...Oooops!

9. This isn't working, is it? Collapse and think. Aha! Those flashing

claws are causing the chaos.

10. Crawl to linen closet. Drag back large beach towel. Spread towel

on floor.

11. Retrieve cat from kitchen counter and pill from potted plant.

12. Spread cat on towel near one end with its head over long edge.

13. Flatten cat's front and back legs over its stomach. (Resist

impulse to flatten cat.)

14. Roll cat in towel. Work fast; time and tabbies wait for no man-or

woman.

15. Resume position 1. Rotate your left hand to cat's head. Press its

mouth at the jaw hinges like opening the petals of a snapdragon.

16. Drop pill into cat's mouth and poke gently. Voila! It's done.

17. Vacuum up loose fur (cat's). Apply bandages to wounds (yours).

18. Take two aspirins and lie down.

[Mags 112]

Old ones are the best.....

[mawilson 2,133]

Cats on a Plane!

[Mags 112]

Cats on a Plane!

Oh gawds, half of me is going "ahhh" and the other half is going

[Girona40 0]

I am sure we have all had different experiences, when it comes to bringing our pets over to the US. I brought my dog and chinchilla and both traveled in the cargo hold - they were absolutely fine and neither seemed too disturbed by it at all.

I have a cat also, which we "acquired" when my daughter brought home 3 kittens that were only days old. I bottle fed them all, for weeks, every three hours. I kept one, one was re-homed and, unfortunately, the other was killed on the road outside the house. I absolutely love cats, as I do all my animals, and don't know what I am going to do when my friend comes to visit. He only has to step inside a house, where there is a cat, and he suffers terribly. I guess I could always make him up a bed in the garage!! lol

I had to have a "Health Certificate" from my vet in the UK for the pets to travel - just a quick check-up to see that they were fit to travel. I think this is an "airline requirement" so it depends on who you fly with. I was glad I had them checked over, just to put my own mind at rest. The BA staff were absolutely wonderful and I couldn't have asked them to care for my animals any better.

The dog didn't need a rabies vaccination before leaving the UK (probably because it is a rabies-free country) but I had to get one for the dog within the first week of us arriving. This is soooooooooo important, I didn't realise that so many animals here can contract rabies and, especially living right in the forest here, it ensures that my dog won't contract rabies should he be bitten by anything. Peace of mind, again.

Anyway, I hope that you and your cat have a very safe and enjoyable trip!

Edited November 15, 2006 by Girona40

[Lou Lou 1]

Wow, that's great!

I didn't bring my cat and he now lives in the lap of luxury with my mum. But I have aquired another cat and will be taking it back with me when I return to the UK in a few years. We were comtemplating going by boat to avoid her traveling in cargo. We travel up front when we fly as we have so many airmiles so she would have plenty of room and won't get so stressed.

Never sedate animals when they fly. It's very dangerous and I know for sure Heathrow won't even accept sedated pets as they have had so many deaths to deal with.

For anyone thinking of moving back to the UK with their pet be warned you have to be prepared well in advance. It starts about 7-8 months before to get shots and the all clear to travel. Plenty of $$$ for the vet.

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

I've already begun preparations for taking the cat back to the UK -- not kidding about the $$$.

It's my understanding that no airlines will allow pets in the cabin travelling inbound to the UK (feel free to correct me if anyone hears differently) -- I believe Air France will allow you to take pets into the cabin, so when the time comes we will probably fly to Paris and then drive up and take ferry/tunnel back to UK from there.

[Mags 112]

I've already begun preparations for taking the cat back to the UK -- not kidding about the $$$.

It's my understanding that no airlines will allow pets in the cabin travelling inbound to the UK (feel free to correct me if anyone hears differently) -- I believe Air France will allow you to take pets into the cabin, so when the time comes we will probably fly to Paris and then drive up and take ferry/tunnel back to UK from there.

I don't know about no animals being allowed in the cabin going back to the UK so can't comment. I can't see Sharon Osbourne et al settling for that though and allowing her MiMi (dog's name, not some slang for parts of her anatomy...before anyone can even think of commenting on it! ) to go into the hold...can you? Maybe if they have a pet passport they can go in the cabin...it may just be animals that are not covered by that scheme that can't. *shrugs*

BUT, unless your cat is on the pet passport scheme it will be subject to quarantine upon arrival in the UK. That tends to be 6 months and all costs are to be paid by the owner. It can run into thousands of pounds.

http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/index.htm

Incidentally, I have now booked my flight and both cats are booked on with me! There was no problem and the Delta representative was polite and really helpful. He said though that I do need a fit to fly certificate for the cats. So, regardless of whether I do actually need one for them, I shall get it done anyway. It can't hurt and may save potential problems occuring.

Edited November 16, 2006 by mags

[missy_antha 0]

Two animals allowed in Economy and one in First Class. Hmmm.

Bummer Mags if the cat gets upgraded to First Class and you don't.

Imagine you're asked Chicken or Beef and the cat Trout or Fillet Steak!

[Lou Lou 1]

I've already begun preparations for taking the cat back to the UK -- not kidding about the $$$.

It's my understanding that no airlines will allow pets in the cabin travelling inbound to the UK (feel free to correct me if anyone hears differently) -- I believe Air France will allow you to take pets into the cabin, so when the time comes we will probably fly to Paris and then drive up and take ferry/tunnel back to UK from there.

When are you going back? Good for you.

Thanks for the tip off on Air France. The BE board has a moving back to the UK forum if you need to search for more help. I can't imagine anyone who would bother bringing their pet back without getting them a pet passport. Quarantine is outdated and a HUGE waste of money.

I took my cat to the vet here for the first time yesterday and I was amazed at how cheap it was compared to the UK. $35 for exam and $9 for the drugs without any pet insurance. $300 for teeth cleaning in a few months.

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

We don't have any definite date for going back, but it will probably be in a year's time or so -- I thought I'd plan ahead and get all the work done, so if something happens (like a job offer) that we need to leave at short notice we will be able to do so and be able to take the cat. I would not subject her to quarantine.

She just had her blood work done, so she should get her passport in about 6-7 months time!

[Mags 112]

Two animals allowed in Economy and one in First Class. Hmmm.

Bummer Mags if the cat gets upgraded to First Class and you don't.

Imagine you're asked Chicken or Beef and the cat Trout or Fillet Steak!

We don't have any definite date for going back, but it will probably be in a year's time or so -- I thought I'd plan ahead and get all the work done, so if something happens (like a job offer) that we need to leave at short notice we will be able to do so and be able to take the cat. I would not subject her to quarantine.

She just had her blood work done, so she should get her passport in about 6-7 months time!

Well, hope it all goes well for you!

[mawilson 2,133]

Imagine you're asked Chicken or Beef and the cat Trout or Fillet Steak!

Oh worse -- you ask for chicken or beef and they bring you cat steak, medium rare.

[raphael7546 0]

I brought bot my cats to the us in soft sided carriers . I had to pay alot more then 50 each tho !

Delta only had one flight per week and only a certain time available to fly them in cabin. The carriers had to fit in the "test" box at the airport that you put your normal carry on luggage in to see if the carriers would fit under the seats. Even tho they were under my daughter's & my seat I had to pay for their "seats" full person price. As for what if there's a person with allergys.... a guy came on and sat down beside us and seen that there were 2 carriers. He said "Are those cats?" I said "yes they are." He looked at me and rudely said " Well, I hate cats and I might be allergic so get them off the plane!" I politley said, Sir, I paid for these cats to fly with me in this cabin as much as you paid for your seat, they have tickets and they are staying right here." He then called a stewardess over and complained that I had 2 cats in the cabin. The lady asked me if I had tickets for them. I presented her the tickets and she said, "Thats fine! Sir, these cats have paid tickets and are allowed to be on this flight. You'll just have to move if you don't like the cats." HA HA HA!

I was asked for the Health certificate when we went thru customs. Both cats had up to dat vacinations. They didn't need a rabies shot. Only would need that if they leave the states. Each cat had to be taken out of the carrier as the carrier had to go thru the xray machine. then I could put them back in. The line up to get thru customs was long and many people comented on my beuatiful Long haired Tuxedo cats.

The flight wasn't a problem and and both cats flew very well. Didn't hear a sound out of them at all. My vet told me not to sedate them as the altitude and the sedative could cause problems with their breathing.