Pet Flying

Name: Lauren and Cassie
Pet's Name: Midnight
From: San Diego, CA
To: Fredericksburg, VA
 

PetRelocation.com was amazing! It was our first time flying our dog Midnight across the country, and we were very nervous, especially because she is 10 years old.

PetRelocation.com took great care of us and our dog! The experience was also extremely convenient. We didn't have to worry about not having the right forms or not having the right stuff to fly Midnight. They put an entire checklist together for us, which made it very easy. They also coordinated with our vet to confirm that everything was good to go!

Midnight arrived safe and sound in Virginia and seemed her normal, happy, loving, calm self upon arrival! We are so thankful to PetRelocation.com for such a great first experience with flying our pet!

Name: Camilla
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Mix Breed
From: Oslo
To: London

How can I arrange my dog's travel myself, which airline should I use, and how expensive is it?

Thanks,

Camilla

Hi Camilla,

Thanks for your question! It's definitely understandable that you're researching your options and working on planning your pet move yourself, as pet travel can certainly be expensive no matter how you go about it. First, here are the pet import requirements for the UK (they've recently been relaxed so that's good news). Choosing a pet-friendly airline is very important, and we often fly with British Airways when we go to London. 

Additionally, on our blog we've offered some advice that may help you: how to control the costs of a pet move and pet travel lessons from a DIY pet move. Hopefully these will help to get you started. Please contact us if you have any more questions, and good luck with everything!

 

Name: Krysta
Number of Pets: 5
Pet Type: Dogs
From: Puerto Rico
To: Northern Virginia/DC

My friend, who lives in Puerto Rico, has a dog that surprised her with puppies and I am working with a Rescue Organization trying to get them brought over to the US. What are the regulations and cost for bringing them over? Thank you!!!!

Krysta

Hi Krysta,

Wow, sounds like you have quite a situation on your hands. Well here are the pet import requirements for the United States (luckily it's not the toughest country when it comes to importing pets). As for costs, it will vary depending on a few factors.

For a free quote for our services you can fill out our online form, and if you'd like to speak to a Specialist you're welcome to give our office a call. Note that we recommend puppies be at least 12 weeks old before they fly.

Good luck with everything, Krysta! Just let us know if you need anything else...

 

Just as its becoming more common for people to fly with pets, more and more pet owners are driving with them, too. Whether for a vacation or a trip to the grocery store, many people have no qualms about bringing their pups along for the ride -- but a debate has arisen about what is safe and what isn't. (No, we're not going to dive into the whole Mitt Romney and Seamus situation.)

In Rhode Island, legislators are considering a ban on the practice of letting dogs roam freely in cars. It's been shown that wandering dogs can be a dangerous distraction to drivers (and can also be a safety hazard for the dogs themselves), and though some pet owners balk at the idea, many say the lap dog practice should be made illegal.

Here's the full article about the Rhode Island situation from The Wall Street Journal. A few other states have tried to instate similar laws and many places have bans on texting and talking on the phone while driving, but it seems that pet-related legislation is actually pretty tough to pass and no one has succeeded thus far. We'll see what happens this time around, and will do our best to keep up with all the latest pet travel news as it develops.

Do you restrain your pets when you drive or allow them to move around the car? Do other drivers' habits regarding pet travel make you feel unsafe? Let us know what you think!

Do you buckle up before you hit the road?

The beginning of a pet move can be pretty confusing and there are many things to consider, including your pet's safety, the legwork (and paperwork) involved, and how much it's all going to cost.

Some people choose to handle their moves on their own (and we're happy to offer tips for how to keep pet moves affordable, etc.), but ultimately many pet owners realize they'd rather have someone else handle everything. Whether due to stress, time, or basic logistics, hiring professional pet transportation services will bring some relief to the situation.

Here are a few reasons that many pet owners, including our own PetRelocation.com customers, choose to seek assistance with their moves.

Conflicting Information

"We had no idea how to go about organizing the move ourselves, and for a dog we loved so much, we felt secure in paying someone to do things correctly." -Michelle, who moved her dog Chunk to Australia

Thanks to the internet this has become a very DIY world, but that doesn't mean it's easy to pull off something like a pet move. Unfortunately it's the case that many government websites don't keep up-to-date information regarding animal imports, and a lot of the advice you'll find out there is just plain wrong. When your pet's safety is at stake, it's better to trust the experts who do this every day.

Time

"The list of things to do before a move is a long one. Having assistance with Cole took a huge burden away from us and allowed us to spend more time on preparing ourselves and getting our travel arrangements in order." -Mike, who moved from California to Brazil

Whether moving for work or for pleasure, the effort of relocating all your belongings, organizing the details and trying to make a home in a new place can call for huge time demands. Adding another set of concerns just isn't possible for some travelers, so that's why they call pet relocation companies like us.

Special Conditions

"Large dogs present more difficult travel scenarios, so getting assistance was very important for us.The overall safety and well-being of our pet outweighed our ability to handle the move on our own." - Mike, Cole's owner

Flying with an older pet, an especially large one, a snub-nosed breed or an exotic animal can all present special challenges. Again, the rules can be confusing and the internet can be a jumble of misinformation, so passing the reins to a relocation specialist who knows how things work is often the best choice for many pet owners.


Military Moves/PCS

"I had enough stress just trying to get me, my daughters and my house ready all while worrying about my husband, who was still gone (overseas in the military). Once I decided to hire Pet Relocation.com it was like a huge stress filled ball was lifted off me." -Tarnna, featured as our most recent Pet Move of the Month, moved from the US to the UK

Families serving our country who have to move frequently, often without as much notice or time as they'd like, can find themselves feeling particularly overwhelmed.

 

As you can see, there's nothing wrong with seeking some help! For more information about how to relocate your pets, check out  MyPetTravel, our blog, or take a look at our Facebook page to connect with other travelers who have done it all before.

You can also contact PetRelocation.com directly to speak to a Pet Relocation Specialist about what your options may be. No matter how you go about it, here's wishing everyone many safe travels!
 

Name: Kathy
Pets' Names: Dolce' and Mollie
From: Rhode Island
To: California
 

Our family (pets included of course) was being relocated from Rhode Island to Southern California, a 3,000 mile trip to take place at the end of Aug. 2011. After checking several animal-friendly airlines (most of which only accept smaller animals that can be in the cabin under a seat.), we decided to fly Continental.

The animals had to be dropped off at a special holding area, and from there they are driven in a van to the plane. We were able to watch them being loaded into the air-regulated cargo area and a stewardess assured us they were on board. At the end of the flight our transportation was delayed. The people at the animal section made a call to our cell phone to let us know the animals arrived safely and were waiting to be picked up. After all the worry of having to have the animals on such a long flight, we picked up Dolce' and Mollie at the animal pick-up area.

They were well cared for throughout the whole process. We made it a point to put tags on their crates indicating live animals inside, along with their names on the crates in several places so that the handlers could call them by name. A big shout out for PetRelocation.com for getting our family from one side of the U.S. to the other!

Great news for pet travelers of a certain breed...

United Airlines has announced that they will now accept several dog breeds that have previously not been permitted, including American Staffordshire Terriers and Pit Bull Terriers. Effective immediately, dogs six months or older and weighing more than 20 pounds who meet the proper kennel requirements (kennels meeting Container Requirement #82) and show no signs of aggressiveness will be allowed to fly.

We previously reported that United's banned breed policy was being protested against by pet owners and various dog advocacy groups, and the IPATA Board of Directors also requested that United modify their policy. United is still in the process of updating their website to reflect this change, but you can take a look at the bulletin below to find out all the details.

As always, please contact PetRelocation.com with any pet travel questions.

United Airlines Acceptable Animal Breeds for Transport (Revised 4/2012)

Pet transportation services aren't just limited to moving a dog or cat across the country when work or military duty calls the family to a new place. Along with technological advances and emerging international developments, transporting animals is a service in demand, leaving airlines and freight companies in the position of stepping up to the challenge or being left behind.

This recently published Bloomberg article goes into greater detail about Lufthansa, KLM, and the other companies who deal with shipping animals. It's pretty fascinating to see how trends have been changing recently and how these businesses are learning to handle exotic moves.

Want to know more? Here are a few details from the article, and you can read the whole thing here.

-Last year Lufthansa's Frankfurt facility handled 110 animals of various kinds (including 80 million tropical fish and 300 tons of worms).

-Lufthansa usually transports around 14,000 dogs and cats and 2,000 horses in a year.

-Animal freight makes up about one to two percent of Lufthansa's total cargo revenue.

-One of the most unconventional cargo shipments on record was a plane filled with dogs and cats evacuated from Lebanon following a missile strike.

-Before they fly out of Frankfurt, animals are inspected by up to 24 different vets.

-Some freighters are equipped with up to four different temperature zones, meaning that one flight can safely and comfortably carry warm-blooded and cold-blooded animals (think horses and penguins, for example).

-Large fish, dolphins and poisonous reptiles are not accepted for shipment by Lufthansa due to safety concerns.

Hannelore Foerster/Bloomberg

Here are a few pet travel news links for you. Happy Friday, pet lovers!

Pet travelers flying with Alaska Airlines should be pleasantly surprised at this news.

Pet business news: Rover.com has raised $3.4 million with the goal of being the Airbnb for dogs.

National Pet Day + The New York International Auto Show = Pet safety tips and fun for everyone.

A kennel cough vaccine for dogs can now be administered orally.

The Mighty Texas Dog Walk was a great success!

Foreign Service officers aren't too happy about United's new pet policies.

A loose bat on an airplane inspired officials to track down passengers due to rabies fears.

More luxury hotels are going pet-friendly these days.

Karma wishes everyone a happy weekend

Alaska Airlines has announced a new partnership with Banfield Pet Hospital that will help travelers navigate the pet transport process more easily. Banfield, which has more than 800 facilities in over 40 states, will now give Alaska Airlines customers a free office visit, a travel consultation, and a $10 discount on the required health certificate.

Alaska Airlines flies pets in both the cargo and the cabin areas of the plane, and in the statement they issued Monday, professes a commitment to pet care and safety. Starting on May 1, they will be implementing new kennel standards for pets traveling in the cargo hold, and through June 9 will offer a 10% discount on PetStreak Animal Express shipments (the service for shipping pets via freight when the owners are not on the same flight).  Visit this website to find out how to redeem these offers.

This partnership shows that travel service providers are truly taking notice of the fact that more people are traveling with pets these days. It's a trend that's on the rise, so smart businesses will likely continue to innovate and expand in order to safely accommodate the needs that go along with shipping pets.

We can't wait to see who steps up next, and we'll certainly keep you informed as life becomes even more streamlined for pet travelers.

On that note, have you taken our pet travel survey yet? We're checking in with as many pet owners as possible so that we can get an idea of current and future trends. Let your voice be heard by taking the survey, too!

We do our best to keep you informed regarding the best pet travel tips and the newest trends, but it never hurts to check in with others in the field to see what they have to say. Today we're featuring a guest post from our friends at CheapOair, an online travel company that keeps your budget in mind.

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Air travel with pets requires lots of research to make the trip hassle-free. If you’re traveling for the first time with your pet on a flight, you need to put some extra effort not only to make the reservation and get the documents completed, but also to train your pet physically and psychologically. Here are a few tips that might help you in making your pet travel unperturbed.

Air Travel Policies for Pets 

The first and the foremost thing when planning to travel with your pet is to check the airline policies. Pet air travel policies vary from one airline to the next depending upon in-flight and cargo space and other factors. Therefore, it’s important to check with the airline for the latest pet flight regulations regarding carrier sizes, health documents, and other things required for pet travel. For example, as per the latest travel updates, AirTran Airways no longer accepts birds for travel on any flight.

Cargo or Cabin

It is crucial to select what is the best mode of travel for your pet. No doubt, pets too large to fit in cabin carriers have no other option than to fly in the cargo area, but certain snub nosed breeds and pets with medical issues should not fly in cargo. That doesn't mean it's unsafe to fly in the cargo area, though. It's advised that you choose a pet-friendly airline with safe pet practices as you plan your trip, and also discuss your options with your vet and a pet travel specialist before you fly.

Say No to Sedatives

Sedating animals before flights is prohibited. Sedation may affect the pet’s abilities to regulate his/her body temperature, your pet may become confused or even aggressive once the tranquilizer begins to wear off, and most airlines do not allow pets to fly if they’ve been sedated.

Overall, the best way to make pet air travel cozy and comfortable is to enlist the help of a pet relocation service provider.  They take care of each and every aspect related to pet relocation, including completion of documentation, vaccinations, and flight arrangements.

Author Bio:
Rachna works for CheapOair, an online travel company that is committed to provide cheap airline tickets along with hotel reservations and car rental services.
 

Name: Katie
Pet's Name: Ben
From: New Castle, Delaware
To: Portland, Oregon
 

I moved out to Oregon three months ago and finally was able to have Ben come out and join me. PetRelocation.com made the ordeal so easy and non-stressful for all of us. Ben had no problem flying out here and has adjusted very well to the Northwest.

Thank you so much -- I feel settled in now that he has joined me.

Name: Nathan
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Labrador Retriever
From: Buenos Aires, Argentina
To: Denver, Colorado

My puppy is three months and two weeks old. She is just now able to have her rabies vaccination. Will she be able to fly in two weeks if I get her vaccinated? What else needs to be done to bring her home with me?

Thanks,

Nathan

Hi Nathan,

Thanks for the question! These are the pet import requirements for the United States. In addition to the rabies vaccine you'll need a health certificate, and other than that we advise that you spend some time choosing a pet-friendly airline that places a priority on pet safety. (United has a PetSafe program, for example.) Four months should be a reasonable age to fly a dog if everything is handled correctly.

Feel free to contact us if you have questions about any of this, and good luck with your trip!

 

We've been following the progress and after effects of the recent Continental/United merger, and it looks like the changes aren't favorable to every kind of pet traveler.

On the positive side, United has adopted Continental's PetSafe program, which has been in place for years and has been a model for the pet air travel industry. United now bans nine dog breeds from flying, however, so owners of Pit Bull Terriers, Staffordshire Terriers, Cane Corsos and a few others are prohibited from flying with United.

United originally made a change regarding cargo classifications that would have made pet travel much more expensive for some travelers (primarily military families), but they have since eased those rules in reply to the backlash the announcement inspired.

Thus far the "dangerous breed" rules remain in effect, but many pet owners have come together in protest through an online petition at Change.org. United is the only airline with such restrictions so owners of these breeds do have other options, but this remains a divisive topic in the pet world.

Changes is often in the air when it comes to pet travel, so remember to start planning your trips well in advance of departure, do as much research as you can, and check with airlines directly to find out about the most up-to-date rules regarding fees, breeds, and seasonal procedures.

Also, remember that PetRelocation.com is here to help! Contact us anytime for a free quote, or give us a call if you'd like to find out more about our services from one of our Pet Relocation Specialists.

Keep in touch as we continue to monitor this issue and other pet travel updates.

Sparta, a Pitt Bull we moved to Guam last year.

Name: Stacy
Pet's Name: Neely
From: Connecticut
To: England

When I found out we were moving to England I was so excited and overwhelmed all at the same time! My biggest concern with the move was being able to bring my dog with me. The thought of leaving Neely behind was not an option, and the thought of transporting her overseas terrified me. At first, I was determined to get all of Neely's travel documentation and flight plans in order myself. However, with all the other stresses of moving and the possibility of me not being able to fly out with her, my husband decided it was time that I get some help.

My husband's employer had given me Cara's contact information so that I could talk to her to see what PetRelocation.com could do to help me. After the first phone conversation I instantly felt comfortable. Cara and Ashley had both walked me through every single step that I needed to take in order to get my dog over to England. They checked and double checked every piece of paperwork and answered any questions that I may have had. They kept on top of all the changes that were being made by DEFRA, and notified me immediately as to what those changes were. They made sure that Neely's crate was appropriate for travel, and even mailed us out a welcome pack!

When I found out that I needed to go over to England before I could get Neely out there, Ashley worked with my father to complete her travel requirements. On the day of Neely's travel, she was picked up at my parent's home and brought to the airport. Ashley had notified me when Neely was up in the air and gave me a confirmation number so that I could track her. They also kept in touch with my father to let him know the same. During her travel they made sure she had a pre and post- flight potty break as well as water and clean bedding. Once Neely cleared customs they called me to let me know that she would be delivered to me shortly.

When Neely arrived she acted as though she had been on one big adventure! She was so excited to be at her new home, and most importantly she arrived safely, clean, and happy!

It's now been close to three weeks since she arrived and she has settled in without a hitch! PetRelocation.com has made this moving experience stress and worry free. Cara and Ashley always took the extra step to make sure that everything was done right and that Neely would arrive home safely. I would absolutely recommend them to anyone who has to transport a beloved pet and I would certainly use their services again in the future!

Thanks again Cara and Ashley!!!

Name: Claire
Pet's Name: Simon
From: Los Angeles, CA
To: Wilmington, NC
 

After learning that we could not easily fly with our snubbed nose breed Boston Terrier named Simon for our temporary work relocation to North Carolina, we searched online and discovered PetRelocation.com. We were very nervous to fly our baby in cargo and separate his travels from our own, but Pet Relocation had so many wonderful stories of past successful trips, and the information requests and quote process was so easily and professionally handled by our rep, Joe, that we were quickly put at ease.

Our baby was picked up and transported on two flights with a pet hotel rest in between, and we recuperated him the next day. He wasn't phased by the trip at all and seemed completely relaxed on arrival. His crate was well marked and you could tell he had been closely handled.

We will not hesitate to use PetRelocation.com for our return home! Thank you!!

Name: Cansu
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Labrador
From: Turkey
To: USA

I wanted to use a direct flight from Turkey to US to make the trip shorter for my dog. Only direct flight is with Turkish Airlines. Is Turkish Airlines a pet friendly airline? Or would it be better to use KLM or Lufthansa and make a transit somewhere in Europe.

Thanks,

Cansu

Hi Cansu,

Thanks for contacting us. These are the pet import requirements for the United States just in case you'd like to review them. We often use KLM and Lufthansa and generally find them good options for travel, and when scheduling trips we often opt to break the journey into parts in order to allow for stretching/bathroom stops.

As far as flying out of Turkey goes, it will be important to do some research and find a trustworthy agent to help you get through customs, etc. Airport regulations aren't exactly standardized here and situations can be unpredictable. We'd be happy to help you out with any questions you have about this process!

Please contact us if you would like to speak to a Pet Relocation Specialist, and good luck with everything!