Evidence that the world is becoming more and more pet friendly, Washington lawmakers have introduced a bill that would allow dogs and cats to travel on trains. Currently non-service animals are not allowed to travel by Amtrak, and this bill would designate that at least one car per train to be pet friendly.

Rep. Jeff Denham is the bill's main sponsor, and he introduced it for personal reasons. “My dog, Lily, is part of our family and travels with us to and from California all the time. If I can take her on a plane, why can’t I travel with her on Amtrak, too?” he said.

If the Pets on Trains Act of 2013 is approved, traveling pets would need to be kept in a kennel and they wouldn't be able to go more than 750 miles. Passengers would pay a fee for each dog or cat they want to transport.

We'll see how it goes, but as an overall trend we like that this issue is even being discussed. By the way, are you traveling with a pet anytime soon? Take our Pet Travel Survey and tell us about it!

Name: Karine
Number of Pets: 2
Pet Type: Dogs
Pet Breed: 1 Coton de Tulear + 1 Shih Tzu
From: Lyon, France
To: Fairport, New York, USA

Is it possible for both my dogs to travel together in the same kennel to avoid too much stress for them? What are the specific requirements for dogs to enter the United States?

Thanks!
Karine
 

Hi Karine,

Thanks for contacting us. First, here are the pet import requirements for the United States. To answer your other question, yes, each of your dogs will need an individual crate. The travel crate must meet the requirements of the airline and will be large enough to allow good air circulation.

Speaking of stress, we recommend that you crate train your dogs (on their own) well in advance of the trip so that they'll view it as a safe place to be. If your dogs feel comfortable in their crates, the trip is likely to be much easier for them.

Please let us know if you have more questions or if you're interested in our services. Have a great trip!

Some pet travelers will see new air travel rates beginning June 15, United Cargo has announced, so travelers planning to use PetSafe animal transportation services (United's specialized pet program) should check with the airline ahead of time to find out how much they should expect to pay.

Rates for some routes (including those going from the United States to Japan and other Pacific destinations) will decrease, while routes from the U.S. to Guam and Micronesia will increase. According to United, the changes are a result of "recent market evaluations" and the desire to offer competitive pricing.

Says United: "A key benefit of United Cargo's PetSafe is the use of climate-controlled vans to transport our four-legged customers between their flight and our facility safely and comfortably. United Cargo employs more of these specially-designed vans than any other carrier. Also, we recently opened our newest on-site PetSafe kennel facility at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago. United operates similar kennels at our airport facilities in Houston and Newark, and these kennels provide the ultimate in care and comfort for animals traveling on United Airlines."

Visit United.com for more information about PetSafe routes and fees, feel free to contact PetRelocation with any questions about pet travel, and keep in touch for more pet travel updates.

Continuing our coverage of summer pet air travel embargoes and restrictions, today we have news that Delta Cargo has begun its Summer Live Animal Program. This means that during the summer months (specifically May 13 through Sept. 29, 2013) select stations will provide "additional care and protection" for pets and will fly certain breeds during warmer temperatures. Normally Delta will not fly pets if the temperature exceeds 85F/29C.

Please contact us to find out about the qualifying airports, and note that Delta Cargo will not accept any snub-nosed dog or cat if the temperature exceeds 75F/24C for any city. To qualify for these special summer allowances, all cities the pet is being routed through must qualify.

Delta may end up being the best choice for some people, but based on our experience, it's preferable to fly with an airline that operates with pet safe procedures all year (United Airlines drives pets out to the airplane in a temperature-controlled vehicle, for example, so the weather outside is not as big a factor). That being said, because English Bulldogs, Olde English Bulldogs, French Bulldogs and mixed varieties of these breeds are especially susceptible to the stress of travel, United has released some breed-specific adjustments recently. See the full Bulldog update here.

Also regarding United, Boston Terrier puppies, American Bulldog puppies and Pug puppies may fly any time of the year without restriction, but adults of these breeds are completely embargoed from May 15 to Sept. 15. To provide extra safety, snub-nosed breeds should use travel kennels that are one size larger than normally required.

All these rules can certainly sound confusing and this is just a quick overview, so don't hesitate to contact us if you have questions about the specifics of these summer regulations for pet travel. It's our job to see pets transported safely, and our team of specialists is happy to discuss your options and concerns.

Please stay in touch for more summer pet travel news, and travel safely everyone!

As summer approaches it's once again time to keep our ears and ears open for news of summer airline embargoes and altered operations that may affect pet travel.

Take a look at last year's summer embargo information for an idea of what to expect, and remember to talk to a pet relocation specialist or do plenty of careful research ahead of time if you're planning to travel with a pet this summer.

We'll keep you updated as we go forward, but here it is: your first official summer pet travel news flash from United Airlines.

-Phoenix (PHX) will only accept pet arrivals before 9 a.m. and after 9 p.m. (this is the same procedure they followed last year).

-Palm Springs (PSP) will have an embargo in place through Sept. 15.

-Dubai (DXB) will have restrictions on brachycephalic breeds all year long.

-The new on-site kennel facility at O'Hare is in development and more news of it should be announced soon.

Keep in touch, pet travelers!

Though our focus is helping families to bring their pets with them when they move, we like to keep an eye on general pet travel trends, too.

The pet industry has seemed pretty recession proof over these last few years, and we've noticed that more and more hotels and travel services have come to embrace four-legged customers along with their owners. Something from today's news caught our eye, however: It seems that a new development could be emerging in the UK.

According to the Daily Mail and free pet-sitting service Petaround.com, thousands of British citizens will skip taking a vacation or cut theirs short because of inadequate or expensive boarding options for their pets. Kennel and pet sitting costs are on the rise here, making the financial demands of a holiday just too much for many families to justify. According the study cited, many pet owners are also "too embarrassed" to ask family or friends to help out with pet-sitting.

Here in the United States, many pet owners traveling for fun or business without their pets are turning to the dogsitting site Dogvacay.com, which lets dog sitters list their services and dog owners choose and contact individuals they're interested in checking out. In the UK Petaround.com functions similarly, but here pet owners are able to locate people to take care of their pets very cheaply, on an exchange basis, or even free of charge.

Dedicated pet owners are strong in number, so it's no surprise to see creative solutions to pet-sitting conundrums pop up in places where prices for services are rising in general. Will developments like Petaround.com reverse the trend of Britons ditching their holidays? We'll be following the news to find out.

Please contact PetRelocation if you have questions about pet travel, and keep in touch with us for all the latest pet news updates.

Name: Darcy
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Cat
From: New York City, NY
To: Fortaleza, Brazil

How long would my cat have to be in quarantine? She is a very nervous cat and I'm worried about this.

Thank you,

Darcy

Hi Darcy,

Thanks for the question. A few countries do require a quarantine period for entering pets, but Brazil is not one of them. Take a look at the Brazil pet import requirements to see the list of steps you'll need to take to bring your cat into the country.

In addition to these basic vaccine and health certificate requirements, we also advise choosing a pet-friendly airline and working to help your cat get used to her travel crate. Nervous pets are often ones that have never had the chance to grow accustomed to their crates, so leaving the kennel out in the open, placing toys and treats in it, and generally helping her to see it as "no big deal" will help her be less stressed on travel day.

Please contact us if you have any more questions, and good luck with the trip!

In addition to United's recent announcement that they will be adding new PetSafe routes to Latin America, Canada, and within the United States, they are also rolling out several new product enhancements.

-United was recently approved to add three new PetSafe vans to its existing fleet. These new additions will operate in Chicago and Washington Dulles, supporting two of the busiest hubs just in time for summer travel season.

-Fifty new agents have also been added to the PetSafe desk, which means that customer calls will be answered more quickly and efficiently and wait times will be reduced.

-Finally, construction on an on-site kennel facility in Chicago has now begun, and it is expected to open in early spring 2013.

According to United, "These are just a few of the PetSafe developments planned for 2013. We are off to an exciting start, and please watch for more enhancements in the months ahead."

Please contact PetRelocation if you have any questions, and keep in touch for more pet travel updates.

Name: Ewelina
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Cat
From: Poland
To: United States

Hi,
We love our cat so much that we decided to take her with us to the USA for our six month holiday. We will have her in a travel crate under my chair, but I know she will not like it.

Like other cats, she hates to be closed in a small space. My question is, what we could do to make her travel easier and less stressful? Please give me some advice.

Thanks,
Ewelina
 

Hi Ewelina,

Thanks for your question, we'd be happy to advise. Cats can definitely be anxious about air travel, and the best thing you can do is work to get your cat used to the travel crate well in advance of your trip. This means keeping the kennel out in a visible place, placing toys and treats in it to encourage exploration, and practicing with short rides. Here's a post on our blog with tips for crate-training cats.

Note that we do not recommend sedation, and in fact strongly advise against it. Sedating pets during air travel can be dangerous and airlines will most likely not even allow your cat to board if they think she has been sedated.

As for your trip itself, here are the pet import requirements for Poland and the pet import requirements for the United States. In addition to following airline procedures you'll also need updated an updated rabies vaccine and a health certificate.

Please contact us if you have any  more questions, and good luck with everything!

Name: Sharon
Number of Pets: Two
Pet Type: Dogs
Pet Breed: Komondors
From: Canada
To: Ijzendijke, Netherlands

My partner and I want to travel in Europe for six months. We have a home in Ijzendijke(Netherlands) to live in (family home). We would like to leave from Toronto in April and return the end of Sept. We plan this for 2014. We want to be on the same flight as our dogs. We were planning on buying kennels but didn't know if the Airline would accept them. I read all the requirements the EU states, however they state after four months the dogs have to have a rabies shot again. Can we have that done in Europe and will it allow the girls to return home with that shot?

Thank you,

Sharon

Hi Sharon,

For reference, here are the pet import requirements for the Netherlands and for Canada. To return to Canada the dogs will need to have up-to-date rabies vaccines (administered more than 30 days from the departure date and less than a year). As far as kennels, they need to be airline approved and sized correctly. Here is some information from our blog about choosing a pet travel crate.

Please take a look at this information and let us know if you have any more questions. Thank you, and good luck with the trip!

 

Often timing issues or quarantine requirements make it necessary for pet owners to make special arrangements when they travel and find a place for them to stay outside the home. The idea of boarding a dog or cat for even a day makes many people nervous, but luckily there are several great facilities out there that make it easier to manage even the most complicated relocations.

In the past we featured a couple of stellar cat boarding facilities in Shanghai and San Francisco, and recently we had the chance to tour another convenient spot: The Kennel Club LAX. This pet hotel offers a range of amenities including large outdoor play yards, grooming and spa services, 24-hour care, and even a swimming pool.

In order to find the best option for your pets, it's important to do some research a few weeks before you need to travel and look especially at customer testimonials and referrals from fellow pet travelers. As always, please contact our team of Pet Relocation Consultants if you have any questions about how to safely relocate your family's pets. Happy traveling, everyone!

Name: Alex
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Mix
From: Republic of Georgia
To: United Kingdom

Hello,

I currently live in the Republic of Georgia. I have a four-month-old Georgian mix breed street pup that I adopted three months ago when her mother was killed by a car. I have a pet passport, my dog has been chipped, vaccinated against rabies in very early October, and has had a blood test taken five weeks later (currently pending the titer blood test results which should arrive around the 27th of Nov; the blood samples are sent from Georgia to Germany for analysis).

She has received her three vaccines against distemper, parvo, influenza and adeno virus type 2, has been vaccinated for kennel cough, and is under milbemax (de-worming and against heartworm) and cestal plus (another de-wormer).

What else do I need to do before I can get her back to the UK (or even France)? What additional paperwork will I need from the vet and will they be accepted? How long before I can travel with her?

Thank you so much for your help!

Best,

Alex

Hi Alex,

Thanks for your question, and congrats on rescuing a pup in need of a good home.

First, here's a link to the official requirements for bringing a dog to the UK. It sounds like you're in great shape so far with all the vaccines, etc., and now you'll need to allow three months to pass from the time the blood sample was taken before you can travel. Also, the vet certificate/passport must certify the microchip, vaccination and blood test result. You must also use an approved travel route (more info about that is available in the above link).

Please let us know if you have any  more questions, and good luck with the trip!

About a year and a half ago we helped Boris and Mia move to the UK with their family, and when life beckoned everyone back to the United States recently, we once again assisted with the relocation. Both moves required careful attention to detail and time to adjust, but the pups did well and the whole family learned a lot from the experience.

The dogs' owner Adrian was kind enough to answer a few questions for us about their relocations, so read on to find some great information about moving pets.

Congrats to Boris and Mia, we're so glad they chose us to help them travel the world safely!

What were some of your concerns going into moving your dogs internationally? 

First and foremost our dog’s well being, there are stories floating around about the side effects of flying animals. For example, stress related to the entire moving process, risk of heat stroke (time of year, origin and destination applies), pressure variations within the cabin, and possible injuries due to handling. An additional concern was being able to meet the regulatory requirements (i.e., having all paperwork in order and certified upon arrival).

Did anything surprise you about the international pet moving process?

The most surprising part of the pet move was the genuine help and positive coaching we received from Scotty. We did our homework and researched what it was going to be like for our dogs. However, the constant questions we had and quick response from Scotty helped ease our apprehensions.

How have your dogs adjusted to moving to a new place each time?

When they arrived in England (a year and a half ago), they were very sleepy and could barely keep their eyes open. Their internal clocks were off so it took them a couple of days to adjust to the new feeding, walking, and sleeping schedule.  They also had to get used to new food. Upon their return to Texas this last month they once again had to adjust to the time zone. Thus far, we encountered some minor issues with Mia’s breathing as it was heavier than normal and Boris was salivating more than prior to the move. Of course the vast temperature changes may have played a major roll considering they were used to a much cooler temperature. It took a few days to work out but they are back to their normal barking selves.    

What is life like in the US compared to the UK? What adjustments have you made, if any?

The original relocation to the UK took more adjusting from our part (vs. from Mia and Boris).  For Mia and Boris the climate changed from three digit summer temperatures to a below freezing wet winter. This meant more indoor living for them, which they did not mind at all due to the extra attention. For us, because dog owners are common in the UK, and they like to frequently walk their dogs without a leash, we had to constantly coach Mia and Boris not to mind free roaming dogs approaching them. It was a learning curve for all of us. Eventually they got used to seeing other dogs walking by and in one occasion Boris happened to lean in and give a big kiss to another dog passing on a walk.

Additionally, in Chester where they lived, there were many dog parks. This meant that most of the residents were comfortable around dogs. We would have a few people stopping us to pet the dogs and learn about them. Eventually they had a few people in the neighborhood asking for them if we were spotted walking without them.

There were several veterinarians and plenty of pet stores. A charming aspect of living in the UK is that some of the pubs allow you to bring your dog in. So when the bitter cold air is creeping around and the fire is crackling away in a pub, you don’t have to feel guilty for leaving the dogs at home. Some would even provide a doggy bowl of fresh water for them.

The move back to the USA has taken a little bit more time for the dogs to acclimate. They were provided with plenty of fresh water, shade, exercise and rest to help allow them to adjust faster. After a few days they were back to their normal trotting, fence protecting, happy-go-lucky ways. It is obvious they missed being able bask in the sun and run freely in a big yard.

What advice do you have for people who might be planning a move?

Find out what regulatory agencies come into play and their requirements. Understand lead times for the required paperwork to be processed in order to follow the sequence of requirements carefully. Ensure crates/kennels are large enough for the breed to have room to move freely. Do not feed pets prior to move and exercise them prior to move. Groom them according to destination. Lastly, relax as pets can “pick-up” the emotional state of their owner. That being said, I would like to leave you with a somewhat comical story.

The Sunday before the dogs’ big move back to the States we woke up to what could have been a disaster. We had meticulously put together a packet to include all necessary documentation for their arrival. That packet was laid down on the kitchen table along with several other miscellaneous items (some of which contained food). Not to mention it was placed under some of those items as well. I am sure you guessed it, the only packet that was found on the floor, torn apart and with bite marks all over was their relocation packet.  The food and rest of items were unscathed. Of course neither Mia nor Boris confessed to the mishap (although Boris is our prime suspect). In some way I think this was their way of saying “We know what is going on!” Dogs are smart heart warming creatures and sensitive to their surroundings. The best ending to this story, they didn’t ruin their pet passports.

--

Excellent stuff! Please contact PetRelocation.com if you have any questions about moving your own pets, and keep in touch for more great pet travel stories.
 

Here at PetRelocation we're hard at work shipping pets all around the world, but we also set aside some time for fun stuff, too. Our Culture Club was recently created in order to provide activities that might complement our regular work day schedule, and every now and then they sneak something educational into the mix, too.

Following communications expert Dr. John Daly's visit a couple of weeks ago, on Tuesday we welcomed another special guest to our office --  Antonella Del Fattore-Olson, a Distinguished Senior Lecturer from the University of Texas. Ms. Fattore-Olson is originally from Rome, Italy and has been teaching at UT for more than 20 years. She was kind enough to sit down with us over some delicious pizza to chat about life and customs in Italy, and everyone who attended walked away a little bit wiser about Italian culture.

During our lunchtime chat, PetRelocation employees asked questions that touched on business practices, dining customs, and of course, attitudes towards pets. Talking with Ms. Fattore-Olson helped us to think about how we interact with our Italian customers, and we're glad we had the chance to learn from a dedicated Italy expert.

Here are a few facts we learned from our session:

-City homes in Italy rarely have yards, so it's tough to keep dogs if you live in Rome, Florence, Milan, etc. Cats are more commonly kept as pets in the cities.

-Dogs have long been viewed as working animals, and that attitude is still prevalent throughout much of Italy.

-Many Italians travel over the Christmas holiday and during the summer, and the overall lack of kennel facilities also make it tough to have a dog.

-In terms of cultural norms, Italians are usually late (but not out of a lack of respect, assured our guest).

-When it comes to signing up for a service like pet relocation, Italians value quality of service above all.

What will our next Culture Club activity be? We'll be sure to tell you about it, and if you have questions about pet travel in the meantime, be sure to contact us.

Top photo by OliBac via Flickr

Name: Tracey
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Spanish Water Dog
From: UK
To: South Africa

Do I need to have my dog spayed before taking her to South Africa? I have a Spanish Water dog, recognized by Kennel Club in UK but not recognized as a breed in South Africa. I would ideally prefer not to get my dog spayed. Are there different rules around this?

Kind regards,
Tracey

 

Hi Tracey,

Here are the pet import requirements for South Africa, as well as a link to some relevant permit offices, etc. It doesn't look like spaying is a requirement, Tracey, but you will have to demonstrate that your dog is free of rabies and a few other diseases.

Please contact us with any questions, and good luck with your move!

When it comes to transporting animals, it seems that improvements and developments are always on the horizon. For example, John F. Kennedy International Airport will add a new $32 million animal facility offering kenneling and grooming services, quarantine areas for horses, veterinary facilities, an aviary, and lawn space. The plans were approved last Thursday by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and signal a continued dedication to the growth of the pet travel industry.

Not only will this addition make life easier for pet travelers, it will create new jobs and provide a revenue growth opportunity for the Port Authority, who expects to earn over $108 million in rent over the initial 20 year lease period. The facilities will expand upon the services already offered by the existing Vetport.

Once complete, the JFK animal travel facilities will be larger than the current ones found at Miami and Los Angeles airports. The new facilities will be located in Building 78 at JFK, which is currently empty.

Hopefully airports and airlines will continue to step up to assist pet travelers on their various journeys, because when it comes to pet travel, safety is paramount and convenience is key. We look forward to working with more and more power players as they continue to realize that relocating pets is a trend on the rise.

photo by DearEdward via Flickr

When it comes to planning important (and complicated) things like relocations, it can feel like time is speeding by. Before you know it it's moving day and you're trying to make sure that everything is taken care of, and at this point all you can do is hope you didn't forget anything too important.

If you're moving a pet with you and haven't taken the time to investigate all the import rules and regulations that may apply, it's all too easy to discover that you've overlooked something that could cause your pet's departure to be delayed.

Some of the stress can be avoided by starting the move process early, but why exactly do you need at least a month to put together a pet move (and at least six months for some international pet moves)? Read on to find out.

Veterinary Requirements – Many countries require vaccinations to be at least a month old at the time of departure, and often the microchip (another requirement) must be implanted before the vaccines are administered. One mistake or omission related to these could delay a pet’s trip by weeks or even months.

Import Permits – It often takes at least 30 days to secure import permits for international moves. Australia, for example, takes three to six weeks to issue an import permit. Note also that import permits must be obtained before other arrangements can be made, so the whole chain of events depends on this important factor. Some countries also require notification of a pet’s arrival (Japan needs 40 days notice), so that’s one more thing to plan for.

Government Endorsements – Many moves require both a USDA endorsement of health documents as well as endorsements from the destination government. For instance Saudi Arabia needs both USDA and Consulate endorsements, and each of these can take about a week to secure.

Titer Tests – For rabies-free countries that require a titer test in addition to the regular rabies vaccine (these countries include Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and Singapore), an additional three to four weeks should be allowed for in the planning process.

Quarantine Reservations – During busy months, such as summer travel season and during the holidays, many quarantine stations are fully booked. Waiting lists in places like Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand can be months long, so it’s important to reserve a spot well in advance of the move date. In general, moving to any destination with a quarantine (Hawaii is also included in this category) will demand extra time, so pets going to these places can’t wait until the last minute.

Crate Training – If a pet isn’t already crate-trained, owners will need to work on doing so as soon as they know they’re moving. Depending on the pet, this process can take weeks or months to accomplish.

Still not convinced that you’ll need a month’s head start? Here are some pitfalls that pet owners should watch out for if they’ve waited until the last minute:

Incomplete or Inaccurate Vet Records - We’ve seen it many times -- pet owners who have gone to the vet regularly over the years think they’re in good shape, but in terms of the strict standards of international travel, often this isn’t the case. Again, vaccines must often be done in a certain order beginning at least 30 days in advance, and some countries, including Japan, require they be done six months ahead of time.

Agent Availability – Waiting until the last minute means our preferred agents might already booked with other jobs, so travel dates may have to be altered to fit their schedules or second-choice agents will need to be found.

Flight Complications – Pet travel by air entails more than just buying a ticket when you need it. You have to choose a pet-safe flight on a plane with cargo doors large enough to accommodate a travel kennel (some planes are just too small), and then you have to request the booking. After that, the airline must verify that everything is in order and make contact with a destination agent, and all of this can take several days to finalize.

Time Differences - With international moves, dealing with time differences makes communicating with agents and officials more challenging, thus taking care of import permits, reserving quarantine space, and making other arrangements all becomes a little trickier.

The Stress Factor – Rushing to put together a pet move is no fun for anyone involved. Relocating is stressful enough without feeling like it’s a race against the clock, so put yourself ahead of the game by allowing plenty of time to plan your move.  

Please contact PetRelocation.com if you have any questions about how to move your pet, and happy well-planned traveling, everyone!

Just about everyone who works here at PetRelocation.com has at least one pet at home, but not all of us have had the chance to experience what our customers do -- flying with our dog or cat.

When Pet Relocation Specialist Sarah S. recently took her Irish Goldendoodle Reba on summer vacation, we realized it would be fun to share her travel story -- and what she learned -- here on the blog.

This is what Sarah had to say about flying with Reba for the first time as well as what it was like to deal with the natural nervousness that pet travel can sometimes inspire.

Where did you go and why did you decide to bring Reba?

I went home to Michigan to visit my family. We were renting a cottage on Lake Michigan and I took Reba for several reasons:

1. I couldn’t imagine being without her for a week. Lame, right? (*Editor's Note: Not Lame!)
2. I knew she would have a blast running and digging in the sand.
3. My parents and sister haven’t seen her since she was a baby and I can’t deny my family the chance to see their only grandkid or niece!

What did you do to prepare her for travel?

We started crate training right away when she was a puppy. I bought the size 400 when I first got Reba in November, anticipating her size at the time of our trip here in July. It was a perfect fit, but very close. If she grows any larger, she’ll need the 500.

I started feeding her in her crate a month or so after I got her. I didn’t want to scare the brand new puppy right away with the kennel so I left the top off for months and fed her in there. We learned the word “kennel” and when I pointed, she went in and I’d give her a treat. She loves it in there! But she doesn’t like the door shut. So I didn’t shut the door at all until travel date.

I also completely wore her out the day before travel. We went to the park, she came to work with me, and I basically didn’t let her nap.

How were you received by airline staff along the way?

United in Austin (AUS) and Grand Rapids (GRR) were AMAZING on the way there. When I checked her in at GRR on the way back, the three people working the desk were not old Continental employees, they were newer United employees and none of them had ever checked a pet in before.

A guy in a yellow vest came in and started petting Reba and, and he told me "I have a dog of my own and love dogs. I’ll take really good care of Reba!” I knew it would be okay because the one actually handling Reba knew exactly what he was doing and that’s who I was most concerned with.

How were you received by your fellow passengers?

I had to check Reba in at the passenger terminal at GRR on our way home. She got to walk in on her leash but she wanted to be held. Everyone in line was oohing and aahing about how stinkin' cute she was.

How did Reba handle the experience? Did anything surprise you?

She was a little apprehensive when she arrived in GRR, but it’s because I wasn’t there. My mom received her and she hadn’t seen my mom in months so I think this was the main reason for her nerves. She was exhausted after her travels. Same thing on the way home…absolutely pooped! And very thirsty. And starving! But she didn’t go to the bathroom in her kennel and she wasn’t panting or anything.

Would you fly with Reba again?

Yes, if I was going for a week or more. She squeezed in at a total of 49 lbs so we got the <50 lbs rate of $250 each way, so it was $500. Not worth it for a weekend trip, but SOOO worth it for the 9 days I was gone.

What advice would you give to other pet travelers?

It just makes me appreciate their stress a bit more. I was freaking out about Reba’s trip, but she did just fine! The people at United are so nice and helpful. I really would send her again -- the only real downfall is the costs. 

I tell my clients all the time that if I trust my own dog with United, that theirs will be safe as well. I’m particularly obsessed with my dog -- we’re talking like 800 photos on my cell phone. So if clients claim they’re overbearing dog parents, I totally get it because I am too! But now I know it’s not so bad. I think about how she would have been so scared if I had stuck her in a boarding facility for a week and the few hours on the plane make it seem way more worth it.

--

Thanks for sharing your story, Sarah! It's great to learn even more about pet travel by hearing about the experience from one of our own.

Name: Esther
Pet's Name: Starla
From: Colorado Springs, CO
To: Cleveland, OH
 

My grandmother, who lived in Colorado Springs, CO, adopted Starla in July of 2009. They had almost three wonderful years together. After my grandmother passed away this spring, I decided to take Starla back to Cleveland, OH, to live with me.

Rather than trying to deal directly with an airline, I decided to find a pet relocation service. I had a time crunch: I wanted to leave Colorado on May 27. I only had about four days to make travel arrangements for the dog (and myself).

I called PetRelocation.com on May 23. Sarah Rosales answered the call and immediately started my account and emailed me the necessary forms. I cannot express how relieved I was just to have someone answer the phone call and be able to assist right away. I had attempted to contact two other companies - one never returned my inquiry emails and one did not return the initial phone call for almost a day.

My next encounter was with Scotty Walkwitz. Scotty did the majority of the work as far as arranging the flight, and was always available to me via email for my numerous questions. Again, a stress-free experience, due to accessibility and communication!

Katie was our last PetRelocation.com specialist - she drove Starla to Denver for her flight to Cleveland. She helped me with last minute kennel preparations, and they were off! All I had to do was catch my flights and meet Starla in Cleveland.

Once I landed in Cleveland I headed straight to the cargo area for the airline, and there was Starla, safe and sound.

This was a wonderful, stress-free experience from the initial phone call to meeting Starla in Cleveland. It was so nice to know that my new dog was being handled by kind, caring professionals. It allowed me to concentrate on other more pressing issues during a difficult time.

Here are two pictures: one of Starla by herself (on sofa), and one with Xena, my other dog.