We have 2 dogs and a cat. What ways has anyone found to make it the easiest on us and them? Pet transport company, Taking them on our flight, Which airlines are best?etc?
Hello Sada Sat, We moved from Los Angeles to Italy with our two cats. There is no quarantine in Italy, but you must have a health certificate from a veterinarian (just tell your vet what you plan on doing) and all current shots. The health exam should be done fairly close to departure since the certificate cannot be dated more than 2 weeks or 30 days old - I honestly don't remember which, but you might contact the airline you will be flying with. I would not sedate your animals as this can affect their breathing. Put enough blankets for warmth (it gets cold), but enough to allow for mobility. Some airlines are better than most. Plan on arriving well in advance. Traveling internationally with our cats was the longest check-in I've ever experienced what with all the paperwork and forms I had to fill out. We used KLM based on a recommendation from a friend whose mother travels often with her dog. I had a 4 hour layover in Schipol airport in Amsterdam and what they do at KLM during those long hours is to take your animals to a kind of pet hotel where they clean out their cages and give them some food. Again, you might try calling KLM to verify this, but this was the case 5 years ago when I travelled with them. Upon arrival, your animals will not be necessarily easy to find. I had to hunt mine down, but they were brought through another door (obviously not with the luggage!) in baggage claim. They will be tired, uncomfortable and perhaps a bit angry - my cats were - but once they get out and are able to stretch their legs they get over it fairly quickly. Once you are here, you should find a vet and have them given the once over. One of my cats developed a cracked, crusty nose from the cold, dry air in the hold, but after a week or so he was fine. Good luck!
We relocated here from Chicago with our 2 dogs and were informed that flying from the states there is only one airline that will allow you to bring your pets into the cabin--DELTA, and if the bag you carry your pet in fits under the seat, it was fine (once seatbelt signs go off, we were allowed to pull the bags out for more room, cost was about $120 per pet. The only suitable/most comfortable bag was the largest SHERPA bags you can find at PETSMART. Also, our vet prepared all the documents & appropriate stamps and he gave us a bottle of mild sedatives for the dogs to calm them during the flight... it worked BEAUTIFULLY!
Dont forget to bring plenty of FRONTLINE for ticks etc.
Ling, Are you saying DL let you bring the dogs in cabin on an International flight??? The method you explain is common for domestic flights but I thought that was a NO on International. How big are your dogs and when did you do this? My dog would have a nervous breakdown and drop dead if I put him in cargo!
I know AF used to let you buy a seat for your dog on the Concorde............ I considered using my frequent flyer miles to get my dog a ticket at one time. Carolyn
Yes, you can find Frontline here. I pick it up at my local pet shop. Also, a lot of shops will special order whatever they don't have immediately in stock.
thanx for letting me know about Frontline! We administered our last pack on dogs last wk, so will need to get more... didn't realize it'd be so easy, that's great!
quote:Originally posted by Carolyn 7: Ling, Are you saying DL let you bring the dogs in cabin on an International flight??? The method you explain is common for domestic flights but I thought that was a NO on International.[QUOTE]
It's true, call Delta... like you we were worried that our darlings couldnt be in the cabin with us, and I simply wouldn't be living in Italy right now if that was the case.
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How big are your dogs and when did you do this? My dog would have a nervous breakdown and drop dead if I put him in cargo!
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We flew in Sept 16 03, one dog weighed 14lbs, the other 12lbs (pomeranians). And our vet gave us sedatives for our dogs, which didn't knock them out totally, just calmed them and helped them to nap longer... it was a piece of cake! seriously
I know AF used to let you buy a seat for your dog on the Concorde............ I considered using my frequent flyer miles to get my dog a ticket at one time.
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save your miles, the tickets are so cheap for each pet ($120 US)... and the stewardesses are so sweet about the dogs on board, one even said if we wanted to let our dogs (one at a time) walk in the back, we could! We didn't of course, but we did take them into the plane's rr to let them stretch and gave them lotz of praise and petting for being so good!
Ling, My husband and I would love to move to Italy someday but it will likely be many years out. I have always cut my trips short because of the dog but would love to come for a few months at a time and would if I could bring him with me. I have even looked at the possibility of trying to get him on the "Patriot Express." I have been reading this board because we are starting to work on our citizenship and saw this thread. Carolyn
Carolyn, I know what you mean about cutting trips short due to pets... now my dilemma is finding pet-sitters! I'm very protective of my two and have to have a very "warm" feeling about the person... otherwise, we try to find hotels that accept pets, or previously when I lived in the states, my older kids would watch them... maybe I should be a pet-sitter, eh? really, no one other than the pet owners would care and love the animals more than I would! ... ha! I think my husband is starting to feel neglected!
Sada Sat, "Frontline" is liquid drops you administer on the skin of your dog, just 2-3 drops, and it kills any existing flees or ticks on the dog as well as protects dog from them for 30 days--works great!
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really, no one other than the pet owners would care and love the animals more than I would! ... ha! I think my husband is starting to feel neglected! 
