Husband bringing his cat

[Girl from Celebes 588]

Off topic,lol my husband will soon being coming from tunisia. He has a cat, how do we go about bringing smokey too? Will it be an issue for hubby to immagrate along with bringing the cat?

Hi there,

I just happened read this by accident - thanks to UnaMexicana-.

I have brought my two cats from Indonesia. You have to make sure you understand the law of Tunisia government regarding bringing pets to another countries. Indonesia was very strict about that. The US is really not strict about that except Hawaii and Guam. Those areas are required you to put your pets in quarantine.

These steps I did:

1. Make sure all vaccines are completed especially rabies. A health certificate issued from a government agency is required by airlines.

2. If you fly and stop in Hawaii and Guam, better to informed the local quarantine agency.

3. Weighing your cat. Only small cats and specific breed of small dogs are allowed to carry on. Bigger ones have to go to a cargo. My cats were small so the airlines allowed me to carry on. Buy a soft carrier so it would be easier to put under a seat. (Asiana Airlines requires that kind of carrier).

4. Before you buy a ticket, check each airline if they would allowed a passenger bring their pets. Some of breeds are prohibited. Check the airline guides on its website. Most of airlines only allow one pet per passenger.

5. Put all your pets papers in your bag that easy to access.

6. You will pay separately for your pets. They considered cats as excess baggage.

If you have any other questions, feel free to PM me.

Good luck!

Edited April 9, 2016 by Girl from Celebes

[Girl from Celebes 588]

I just moved a cat from South America to the US. My research turned up that there were no federal requirements for cat vaccinations, it all depends on the state where the cat is going. However, I chose to err on the side of caution and get a certificate of vaccination, including rabies, and a health certificate (required by the airline). The airline asked to see these, but no one at customs in the US did - they just looked at the cat and waved me through.

Definitely call the airline to find out how they take pets (in cabin or in cargo) and what sort of health certificate they require. Many airlines allow cats in the cabin, but you have to book and pay for them ahead of time. Make sure you get a carrier that is the right dimension if the cat will go under the seat. I highly recommend a hard-sided carrier. My cat absolutely freaked out and basically tore through the soft-sided carrier, and I had to desperately try to contain him during the flight. It was incredibly stressful.

My terrible local vet gave me a sedative that was almost a mild anesthetic - sort of conked the cat out, but did nothing to alleviate his extreme anxiety and panic. He was howling the whole time, tearing at himself and the carrier. I think some of the benzos (kittie valium) work much better at calming down the cats. My cat recovered quickly once he arrived though and is enjoying his new life in the US!

I'm very vocal against sedative to calm down my pets. My two cats were traveled 23 hours in the planes, let alone lay over for hours. I did not give any sedative to them though some of people suggested me to do so. Most of vets in my country against it.

I did not run into trouble. They broke their carriers but pretty much they were very good cats. They did not go to bathroom and only after my husband and I arrived in our apartment.

When we traveled and moved from Key West (FL) to Glendale (AZ), my husband drove us about 6 days continuously. We did not sedate them, they cried but after a while they fell asleep. We stopped in hotels and enjoyed different atmosphere.

My cats are very adventurous, lol. They are now enjoying hot weather in Arizona.

[Girl from Celebes 588]

You might want to contact VJer GirlfromCelebes who took her cats with her from Indonesia I think... she might have some good advice.

Hi, thank you for mentioned me. I really do interested into a thread like this, lol.

[samkam 3]

Hi! What everyone has said is definitely helpful information. I brought my cat preemptively in June last year from Australia and organized everything myself. If you still need any help you can definitely message me!

[Chalandrae 32]

Hi,

I'm from Canada and brought my cat with me. It was by car so I can't really give you any advice about airlines...

I am strictly agaisnt sedatives, BUT there are other options is there is really a problem. My vet talked mentionned Feliway. They make products that help cats with anxiety. So if your fur baby really doesn't like travelling, maybe look into something similar?

( We did training trips before actually moving. She was fine, so I decided not to use Feliway. Sadly, on the big day, she peed all over herself before we stopped at the customs ... 2 hours inside a building with a cat smelling like urine, yay! Of course, once we were done we cleaned her carried and changed everything in it. )