Exporting our dog to america

[Dan and Lynne 0]

yup, shouldnt be classed as a fault...they are bootiful poopies!

im sure i will be looking for one when i (eventually) get over there!!

do we have a piccy of her?

[Welshcookie 17]

I don't have any on my computer at the moment because my scanner is on the blink

[Dan and Lynne 0]

after two hours of being tossed across the american telephone network i am told that since sept 11 no airline will carry pets without going via a pet export company (this was from Delta (KLM)

pretty much sucks if your looking to save a few bucks on transporting your pet!

(im not sure about carry on pets...but this is defiantly for pets in cargo)

[JVKn'CVO 11]

Not specific to the UK , but...

I brought my siberian husky Anya with AA as checked bagagge, it costed $100 and she made it here safe and sound. I bought her carrier at a pet store, along with an automatic waterer designed for pet carriers (they look like those hamsters waterers, only bigger ). I was considering buying pet carrier absorbant liners in case of "accidents", but our vet advised against it, because it has plastic on it, and said to use a generous amount of newspapers instead. I also put her blanket and food bowl in the cage so she could have some familiar smells. Bring dog treats to the airport so you can feed them to your dog during check in if it gets nervous.

Because there is a limit to the number of dogs on the plane, we tried to be one of the first for check in, that is 4 hours before the flight. Another thing to consider is the weather restrictions on pet travel.

Here's the link for AA AA traveling with pets

Good luck!

Caro

[Dan and Lynne 0]

im sorry about my venting, it has just become so frustrating, especially after the calls i made today, i have just been talking to my OH and he reminded me that on his visits his case was packed up with electronics...wires...etc...and no one batted an eye...yet when we want to transport our dog we get told that we cant because some companies want to make money out of what happened on 11 sept!! what we gonna do...plant a bomb up her ! i am so annoyed, all the quotes i have been getting are for silly money...when i already know how much it cost to DIY (if i could ) they are making such a profit out of this!!

with this and the whole visa and waiting process...i sooo dont want to get rid of my dog...im not that kind of owner...but this is killing me. i wish the sea would just dry up and ill walk her across!!

thanks for the link ...ill try yet another airline, maybe this one will accept that some people just dont have oodles of money!

[Dan and Lynne 0]

yeay for american airlines!!

[JVKn'CVO 11]

yeay for american airlines!!

Got good news?

Caro

[Dan and Lynne 0]

promising news!

so long as the temperature is right on the day of the flight as i am looking (hoping for) a january flight, she needs a letter from her vets saying she can travel in temperatures to -8 deg, should the temperature be that on arrival at JFK (they will accept her anyway up to 8 deg) along with the fit to fly letter.

she has to be comfortable in the veri kennel 500 size. which i think is the kennel i was getting next week.

my quotes were pleasing too! $110 to go as excess baggage or £790 to fly on her own. there is a customs clearance of approx $50 at JFK

the only thing is she or we would have to fly from heathrow to JFK which im at the other side of england and my OH is in NJ, edinburgh to newark wouldve been nicer...but i am soooo pleased i have got this sorted...THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

MY POOPIES GONNA BE AN AMERICAN AKITA!!

[JVKn'CVO 11]

Happy they were able to help! have a safe trip with your doggies!!

Saludos,

Caro

[selly 0]

When you arrive at the airport with your pet (dog in my case), they will take the carrier minus pet and put it through security checks. They will then apply all of the various labels etc to the exterior of the kennel/ carrier. Once everything is done they let you put the pet in to the kennel/ carrier and they seal it for you. The pet is then taken to the pet holding area without you and you then continue through the normal passenger route. I found that the ground crew were very thorough and reassuring which is well needed. The kennel/ carrier is issued with its own boarding sticker, which is transfered to the flight crew and then given to you when the pet is loaded on to the aircraft. I was told that they save the loading of pets until the very last minute to minimise the stress that they go through. Once at the other end, you must go to oversize luggage arrivals in the baggage reclaim area. Unfortunately they might not let you get the pet out of its kennel/ carrier until you have cleared imigration etc. Once you get to the other side you pet will appear somewhat traumatised, but they do settle back down again once you reassure them and get them out of their kennel/ carrier. My dog was back to being her usual self within minutes.

From the vets perspective, I visited the vet the day before we travelled for the fit to travel certificate. You need to check that they have the up to date animal export paperwork as issued by the appropriate government department, do this well in advance of your appointment to give them time to get it if they haven't. Also check the requirements for thestate in which you are ultimately travelling to. The vet themselves just needs to certify the health of the animal and confirm that the mandatory vaccinations have been administered or are up to date. Remember that the rabies shot will need to be given at least 30 days prior to travel. Also ensure that the vet writes the micro chip number of your pet on the letter.

I also got one of the low cost kennels, as long as it fullfills the requirements of the AITA and the airline, there is no need to spend a fortune. Bottom line here is treat the move of your pet very much like you did your visa application. Do the research, spend some time weighing up the options and then come up with a plan that fits in with your own schedule. Please believe me when I say that it is less hassle than it first appears and once you get to the other side, you will wonder why you worried so much about it.

Good luck to all and dont worry about the process.