pets...what do you think is best??

[mummyT 1]

Hi just wondering what you guys think...i have a dog and cat and was planning on them moving with us to usa which would be about 5yrs time...but i have found out how expensive it is and i just don't think i will have the money my friend thinks if i cant take them i should find them a home now as i have children so everything isn't happening at the one time for them...i was going to keep them until about 1 1/2 yr before we went i know what shes saying makes alot of sense and i want things as easy for my kids as possible as they don't know they are moving yet am leaving that until we are alot closer to going...i don't want the next few yrs of ups and downs,,want to go then not wanting ect...then if we rehome our pets they might blame it on the move?? I think know what i should do but just wanting everyone's experience or opinion on it pls

thanks x

[nightingalejules 678]

I think that you need to figure out a way to sell it to the kids such that it's "their" idea to find the pets a new home. If it's all part of the excitement and adventure of a move, and they will eventually get to have new "American" pets it won't be as hard, I think, than having to give up their pets and not know why (if you haven't told them about the move yet).

A tough decision either way... good luck!

[Confusedtinybird 41]

Hi just wondering what you guys think...i have a dog and cat and was planning on them moving with us to usa which would be about 5yrs time...but i have found out how expensive it is and i just don't think i will have the money my friend thinks if i cant take them i should find them a home now as i have children so everything isn't happening at the one time for them...i was going to keep them until about 1 1/2 yr before we went i know what shes saying makes alot of sense and i want things as easy for my kids as possible as they don't know they are moving yet am leaving that until we are alot closer to going...i don't want the next few yrs of ups and downs,,want to go then not wanting ect...then if we rehome our pets they might blame it on the move?? I think know what i should do but just wanting everyone's experience or opinion on it pls

thanks x

If you still have 5 years till you move I would wait and see if you could save a little money each month to move the dog and the cat to the USA. You could also see if you could find a cheaper way to move the animals over. You have time so I would wait before you do anything.

[mummyT 1]

I had always planned on taking them...we are a family of 6 so moving us is going 2 cost about £5000+ for medicals,flight,getting to embassy ext so an extra £2000+ for pets i just cant see it...i work but my hubby isn't at the moment...plus am saving to take kids over next yr on holiday so they remember America and not to strange for them, i don't want them blaming them not having the pets anymore on the move and i am pretty sure i wont have the money...its a really hard decision,,just don't want them upset about the pets then i come in and say we are all moving,,i think to much about things lol

[Girl from Celebes 588]

Hi just wondering what you guys think...i have a dog and cat and was planning on them moving with us to usa which would be about 5yrs time...but i have found out how expensive it is and i just don't think i will have the money my friend thinks if i cant take them i should find them a home now as i have children so everything isn't happening at the one time for them...i was going to keep them until about 1 1/2 yr before we went i know what shes saying makes alot of sense and i want things as easy for my kids as possible as they don't know they are moving yet am leaving that until we are alot closer to going...i don't want the next few yrs of ups and downs,,want to go then not wanting ect...then if we rehome our pets they might blame it on the move?? I think know what i should do but just wanting everyone's experience or opinion on it pls

thanks x

Hi there,

I know how your feeling is. I raised 2 rescued cats since they were kitten. The older one is 2 years ( a calico female cat) and the younger one is about 6 months old now. My then-fiancé (my now husband) knew I love them so much and told me I could bring them with me.

The difficult part was dealt with Indonesian government. They were very strict the rules where we had to wait about a month before they let us bring the cats and at the other side we run out of time because my husband had to come back.

My friends and co-workers told me just leave them behind or let somebody else adopt them - one of my friends willing to help me-. But, I just can't leave him behind the fact that I was afraid they don't recognized me anymore when I had time back to my country and bring them back with me.

So, after long struggle to get the papers done we finally finished the paper by paid some company to do it and were able to bring them. I know it is expensive if you are trying to use pet shipping company. I only used their service to get the papers done (I paid around $600). But, you can try to bring your pets as a carry on baggage.

My husband paid for my cats as excess baggage every time we changed our flights. For Asiana it was cost around $200 both of my cats. We paid Delta around $400 for 2 cats and we did not have to pay for Silver Airways. Total cost of my two cats from papers with the government, pet shipping, and the excess baggage was around $1200. I called one of international pet services, I think it was Shiloh or something, I had to pay $4000 each cat.

They have been here 3 months now and they couldn't be happier. They got a lots of love from my husband - Heinrich Artorius my younger cat is now best buddy with my him-, my mother-in-law sent them many toys, catnips, and several treats for them.

I don't know much about dogs but from what I read from books, tv shows, or on internet, they could be sick when their owners are not around them. Cats are more independent and solitaire. That's why I was afraid to leave them behind and don't feel attached to me anymore when I have time go back to get them.

[Not a Tailor 1,370]

The dog, if it is large, may be very expensive to ship cargo, but maybe you could at least take the cat as a carry on? The children will be leaving behind so much already. Or maybe you could ask family not to give you birthday and Christmas presents for the next few years (or whatever gift giving holidays you celebrate, and you, not the children) and instead make donations to the moving fund to help subsidize the move?

[mummyT 1]

We don't have alot of family my dad here in the uk and his mum and dad usa...they are leaving alot..and i don't know what's best..if we are still un same situation money wise then i really cant see it that...and if i think it hard now what will it be like with all the added stress of moving with a then 14.12.10.8 yr old i want it to be as easy as possible for them

[JohnR! 5,495]

Hi just wondering what you guys think...i have a dog and cat and was planning on them moving with us to usa which would be about 5yrs time...but i have found out how expensive it is and i just don't think i will have the money my friend thinks if i cant take them i should find them a home now as i have children so everything isn't happening at the one time for them...i was going to keep them until about 1 1/2 yr before we went i know what shes saying makes alot of sense and i want things as easy for my kids as possible as they don't know they are moving yet am leaving that until we are alot closer to going...i don't want the next few yrs of ups and downs,,want to go then not wanting ect...then if we rehome our pets they might blame it on the move?? I think know what i should do but just wanting everyone's experience or opinion on it pls

thanks x

It is not as expensive to bring pets to the US. Before you make a decision you may end up regretting, call Air France, KLM, Delta and some other airlines and find out how much it will cost you to take your pets with you. I keep hearing stories about astronomical charges, when all you need is a crate, a vet bill of health and the airline fee, which is a few hundred dollars. Call the airlines directly - not shippers - and find out what the fares are.

[Collie 122]

Its approx. $100 to bring a pet to the US from the UK when they travel as excess baggage with you - not at all expensive. For me when I moved nearly 9 years ago, there was no option for me to leave my Border Collie behind - I never would have left her behind. Now my parents are about to immigrate in a few months time and they are bringing two cats. They have to fly a different route through different airports, but they too could never leave their furbabes behind.

[mummyT 1]

As far as i have been told you cant travel with the animal as carry on...i would rather leave my cat than make them sit in a cat carrier with nowhere for the toilet from the uk that can be 7+hr flight that would be so sad. What airline did you use??

[JohnR! 5,495]

As far as i have been told you cant travel with the animal as carry on...i would rather leave my cat than make them sit in a cat carrier with nowhere for the toilet from the uk that can be 7+hr flight that would be so sad. What airline did you use??

It is not as bad as you would think. Airline regulations require the pet carrier to be big enough so that the animal can stand and turn inside. Compare those to the conditions people endure in coach... (The cargo hold of the aircraft is pressurized and climate-controlled, no different than the main cabin.)

As for bathroom, dogs and cats will go 8-9 hours without going easily. Some do so all night, at home. Also, your vet can give you a sedative to take the edge off of the airport experience and controlling the intake of food and water before the flight will help keep them comfortable. I speak of my own experience flying with my two dogs overseas at least once a year. Also from personal experience I would suggest you speak with Air France, Delta or KLM.

[Girl from Celebes 588]

As far as i have been told you cant travel with the animal as carry on...i would rather leave my cat than make them sit in a cat carrier with nowhere for the toilet from the uk that can be 7+hr flight that would be so sad. What airline did you use??

Of course you can travel with the animals as carry on. Many people said that you can't but I did travel with them. The flights from the UK to the US is pretty short compared my flight from Indonesia to the US ( it was 23 hours excluding 7 hours of layovers).

My cats did not go to toilet and we did not use any medication to make them sleep. My husband and I used services from Asiana Airlines, Delta Airlines, and Silver Airways.

[Girl from Celebes 588]

It is not as bad as you would think. Airline regulations require the pet carrier to be big enough so that the animal can stand and turn inside. Compare those to the conditions people endure in coach... (The cargo hold of the aircraft is pressurized and climate-controlled, no different than the main cabin.)

As for bathroom, dogs and cats will go 8-9 hours without going easily. Some do so all night, at home. Also, your vet can give you a sedative to take the edge off of the airport experience and controlling the intake of food and water before the flight will help keep them comfortable. I speak of my own experience flying with my two dogs overseas at least once a year. Also from personal experience I would suggest you speak with Air France, Delta or KLM.

Agreed. Many people scared about what happened to their pets during the travel. But usually it worst in mind rather than in reality. My husband and I traveled from Indonesia to the US about 23 hours excluding 7 hours of layovers. They were sometimes acting crazy but that's normal since they sit in carrier most of times. Rather than leaving them behind and feel regret later, it is the best choice to take a chance while people can.

[milimelo 4,477]

We travel with our cats every 2 years, often times it's 5-6 flights in 2-3 months. They travel in cabin though on two occasions when I traveled alone with them one was in cargo hold as excess baggage. No issues. We stop providing food 5-6 hrs prior to the flight and water 2 hrs prior to the flight. Pets don't eat during the flight - I know the one in cargo space didn't touch his dry food or frozen water (so it can melt slowly) the entire time.

The cost with papers and flights this time around was $500.

[christeen 966]

I don't think you should take your kids pets away from them now, for something that is 5 years in the future... So much can happen, and you can save I am sure $15 a month ($180 a year for the next 5 years for a total of $900 which should cover the shipping costs) ... Not to mention between now and then,so many things can change and they will be sad missing their pets for the next 5 years...

But taking the kids pets now is terrible IMO. A 7 hour flight is a piece of cake for animals, people do it all the time and you can take on (at least the cat) as carry on which would save money.

Where there is a will, there is a way... Seems that the will is missing if you are so ready to give them away or not take them and deny your kids the next 5 years with their pets because of the fear of a 7 hour flight... Adopting an animal is a responsibility too and I don't feel they should be just given away when it gets inconvenient for the owners.