My wife will be bringing a small dog with her; and I was wondering if anyone could share any first hand experiences, or tips they might have in this situation?

I appreciate any and all input.

Thanks!!!

hey ...I was wondering the same and planned on asking the same question.
I won't go to the us until a few months, but when I do, I plan on bringing my cat with me. I already read a little about the kennels and things for the plane, but I would appreciate too to have tips from someone who did bring his pet to the us
thank you

Idon't have any specific info for bringing a pet into the US, (but, at least the US doesn't have lenghty quaratine!)but, as for flying with dogs in general:

*Different airlines tend to have different requirements. Some don't even fly animals. If the dog is small enough, some allow it in the cabin - if the carrier will fit under the seat.
*Check with the airline your wife is flying with for their specific requirements.
*I would recommend 100% making sure the dog is booked on the same flight as your wife (not as cargo on a different flight).
*Buy your dogs crate/carrier well in advance of the flight, and get them well used to spending time in it & using it as "their" bed. This will make them a lot more comfortable on the flight.
*Airlines regs require a separate water & food bowl to be fixed to the crate for the flight. Obviously water just gets spilt, but, if you freeze the water in the bowl before the flight. it melts slightly during the flight.

Hope that helps, a little.

HTH

I am taking my cat with me - I have to make sure she has a certificate of health that is dated within ten days of my travel and I can take her in the cabin with me (on certain airlines) providing her carrier is within hand luggage size requirements.

Another thing to bear in mind if you are travelling in the summer is the heat embargo - I don't know all the specifics but it is worth googling

I brought our cats - they flew in cargo (never again!). Got to O'Hare, lady came to see them - didn't even look at their paperwork that I had out and ready for inspection - EU health certificate, Pet passports... She looked at the kitties and said you're good to go.

As I recall though you don't need a kitty passport - just a certificate of health from the vet...? Correct me if I am wrong...

Thanks for the great replies!!! It is also nice to know I am not in this alone. I think this has been more stress than the visa itself.


Right now my wife has gotten the dog's shots and a physical. I am under the impression it was just a certificate from the vet as well, but I do not know if it needs to be translated? I read something that the shots had to be within 30 days and the airline says 10 days, so it is just as conflicting as some of the visa process.

I notice that some airlines have different regulations and different months on this "Pet Embargo". This has just completely changed our plans. You know what? I flew so much last year that I am eligible for upgrades to first class and now I have to change airlines. Ouch!

What really scares me about this whole processes is that my wife will be held up at the POE, and the dog will go round and round on the baggage claim; or they will quarantine her because the shots are too recent, and I will be stuck paying like 30-50 dollars a day.

Thanks again!!!

P.S. That freezing the water tip was excellent!

If it's a small dog the dog doesn't have to go in cargo, it can just be placed by your wife's feet in a dog carrier during the flight.

Diana

Yes - and even if there is conflicting advice, speak to someone at the airline - at the end of the day it is their plane so what they say goes - defo do some research with different airlines

We were hoping to squeeze her (the dog) in as a carry on, but she is just about an inch and half too big. She just fits in the carry on pet carriers, but her head is touching the top. On the 6-7 hour leg from Bogota (or Panama) I think it will be just too much to keep her cramped in there.

I think you (Jeraly) are right to just listen to the airlines. I think I will take the attitude of the visa... in the sense that I will worry about the rest after the dog is on US soil.

Looking back, I remember the last time I was at the airport the customs people rushed someone through because they had a dog. They brought the lady right to the front of the line, and sent her through quickly so they could get her dog out of the cage. This was in LA. I hope we can get the same compassionate person.

That's too bad. When is your fiancée planning on traveling because that is also a factor. Airlines won't carry pets if the weather is either too cold or too hot, it is cargo after all.

Good luck with everything!

Diana

Thanks! we will need the luck. jaja I will be happy to have them all here and just return to peace.

She is coming in April. Originally I suggested we do our homework and ship the dog on a later date, but she does not like this idea. I do not think I like it either, especially after other's are recommending the dog to be on the same flight.

I myself like COPA, but it looks like we may be going with Avianca. If I am reading these websites correctly, Avianca doesn't seem to have an embargo like the other airlines. COPA's website makes it sound like the embargo involves the airport too, but LAX tells me it is just airline specific.

Does anyone know how the cargo compartment is for pets? Is there a little special section for animals or are they thrown in like baggage?

They put them with the rest of the baggage but they are handled with care (or so they say). They are in a section of their own, but yes, they are with all the other luggage. So lots of hugs and kisses are needed when they land.

Diana

I am going to need lots of hugs and kisses when she lands too!!!! jeje

Thanks!

Hello pets friends!
Well, I am really concerned about the question of travelling with pets, because I have two cats and there is no way I leave them behind when I leave France!! I have been really stressed out about this, I am afraid this could be the most terrible experience in their life, especially because I am going to Alaska, and the average trip there is 25hours .
Anyway, first thing you have to do is call the US embassy in your country. They will tell you everything you need to know about the regulations of pets there.
As far as I know, all you need for a cat or a dog is make sure they have all their vaccinations, especially the rabies: It is now mandatory in Europe to get them a passport, and I think rabies vaccine has to be less than 6 months old. Well, I am not really sure about this last part, my vet wasn't really sure about the required validity (because apparently, more and more european countries have agreed that rabies has to be done only every two years), so the best is to get the info to the Embassy.
Then, depending on which airlines you will travel with, you will want to make sure they do transport pets. Usually, the animal has to weight less than 5kg to stay with you on the plane, otherwise they are going with the luggages... Make sure you reserve your ticket a long time in advance, because they accept only a limited numbers of animals per flight. And if the animal is too young or about to give birth or in bad shape or sick, they will refuse to take them. Most of the time, all these information are on the airlines website. I personnally think the best is to call them, because unless you buy your tickets in a travel agency, I don't think it is possible to book any animal tickets on the internet.
Then, make sure that two weeks before leaving, you go to your vet to get a certificate certifying that your pet is able to travel.
I hope this helps!

Good day to all of you!

Faustine

I brought two cats from the UK to the US. I used a pet travel company who arranged all the travel aspect, from picking up my cats the night before travel, ensuring they were safely secured in cargo on a BA flight in very large travel crates, with ample water, and calling me when they arrived at the animal reception center at DC airport.

Before they could enter the US they had to have a health check by a vet, a rabies shot (this must be done some weeks before travel), certain paperwork completed, a selection of other shots, and a passport issued by said vet with full specifics of each cat, and a list of all their shots.

The websites below will give you a lot of information. Please bear in mind that this process isnt cheap !! Including veterinary attention, travel, paperwork etc, 2 cats cost me $1800 !!

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dq/animal.htm

http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/index.htm

Ouch!!!! $1,800. That is quite a bit. I know I have $1,100 off the top the first year just in pet rent where I live.

I ran across the CDC site last year and couldn't remember it, I'm glad you posted that.

bringing your pet to usa...let the fun begin!! you think waiting for a visa is bad!? lmao

with continental airlines:
they cant fly if the tempreture at either departure airport on arrival airport (and any changeover airport) is less than 8deg (about 27) unless you have a headed letter from your vet stateing that this isnt a problem. summer travel also has a guideline tempreture ( i travelled winter, didnt need to know summer temps)

rabies vacination is advisable though not needed...varies state to state....check! your SO should call a good vet in USA to find out what exactly is required.

a pet passport isnt needed unless your pet is going to return to europe.

all airlines are strict on crate/pet mesurements, be accurate, get someone to help. dont think squeezing him/her in a smaller crate will work!

speaking to the girl who answers the airline switchboard isnt the best option, you need to speak to someone who knows what they are talking about, even explaining a 1000 times that it is a pet you are transporting will send the operator into a bout of cluelessness!

requirements vary state to state...check!!

signed health certificate from vets is needed at least 10 days prior to travel.

try to have your pet on the same flight as you.

not all airports will rush you through just because you have a pet.

DEFRA (UK) are useless! they think an akita is a snake!

be early for pet check in, any delay can delay you on your boarding.

use a good reputable export company who can answer all your questions without flustering or 'checking elsewhere'

carry-on isnt always the best option, how would you like to be crammed under the seat?

using cargo isnt as bad as it sounds though i found that all the airlines i spoke to will no longer let you sort out your pet travel yourself, you need a weighbill and this is only available through an export company...and there are lots of cowboys out there...if you value your pet enough to bring him/her here...then it is going to cost...lots!!

$2600 to transport an akita from glasgow UK to newark for this the export company only provided the crate, weighbill and customs clearance. if the option to do it myself was available it would have cost around £600 + $50 customs clearance flying from heathrow to JFK.

some airlines will let you strap some dry food to the crate (i took about 4 days worth)...but it gets xrayed...this IS a good idea, unless your dogs usual munch is available on this side? its good to have something to mix in with the new diet...take it with you, if the airline says no you can always bin it.

dogs definatly need to be registered (annually) on this side, we had ours registered at the local municipal building (town hall) it cost about $11 and they get a tag for the collar (which must be worn all the time) a little tip on this, if it is supplied with an aluminum clasp...ditch it get a different one...it stains the fur. you need to take the rabies certificate and health records when you register.



some helpful sites i found:

Department of Agriculture
NWA - travel with pets they cant make their mind up if they do or dont.
Continental Airlines - travel with pets
Delta Airlines - travel with pets though delta told me (after being transfered across the world a few times) they no longer transport pets since sept 11th and their website needs updateing to say this!!
American Veterinary Medical Association

hope this helps...

oh, and when you get your pet on this side...remember...their journey was more stressful than yours...they got flung to the back of the crate on take off...their breakfast was in thier mouth whenever the plane hit an air pocket and they bounced around like a ping pong ball on landing...they have no seatbelt option....huggles and kisses are a requirement!! i wish i had her on webcam!!
my poopie took about a day to get over it...me? longer.

good luck.

Thanks so much for this... Delta don't take pets anymore?! AHHH!! They were my first choice of airline...

Now I'm worried all over again *sigh*

lol my experience of delta wasnt good at all! totally clueless! i am guessing a got the dumb new starter in every country i was put through to...i started by calling london, got put through to USA, then france...he was abusive...he put me through to holland, where the lady said they do transport pets but they have a layover in frankfurt, no direct flights from the UK and with the crate size (i think the max was varikennel 500) she couldnt go on the flight to frankfurt!!...guess i got moved to germany...where they disconnected me before even talking to me...and then it started again...london...usa....france...holland and back to cargo in london...by this time i had totally lost it with delta.

i was told that i couldnt export my dog on a flight that lasts more than 12 hours, i was told that 12 hours in a crate is long enough (an hour in a crate is long enough!!)...in total my girl was in a crate for 16 hours...god knows how long she would have been in there going via frankfurt...had she been allowed. this was from continental.

another tip before you buy a crate...find a store which stocks the crate size you need, try your pet in it before you buy it...moreso with the large breeds...no room for error! i found 'canine kennels' (google it) in the UK are the cheapest online, and they are also good with refunds!

good luck!

Well I've got a cat and I am hoping to take her on as hand luggage - I bought her a nice new airline-approved sherpa bag (she seems to like it - she sleeps in it quite often and I have never known her to do that before!!)...

I think I just need a big list of airlines that will let me take her on as hand luggage during the heat embargo and go from there... Why does this have to be so complicated!!!

Yeah, that was a great write up! My searches in this turned up few detailed results, so that was much appreciated!!!
All kinds of good info here, and this really caught my attention too, it is an excellent point:

You know, I never even thought about this part and never would have. That is very interesting. I am going to try and help prepare for this in any way I can, but something is telling me to avoid the direct details.

As far as I am aware the heat embargo ONLY applies to the cargo area because of the drop in temperature - or the raise in temperature. In the cabin the temperature is kept steady for the passengers.

Note: I took my cats in the cabin in December - when they don't allow pets to fly in the cargo area because of the cold.

Delta DO still take pets - I've just checked. They just don't take them as cargo during the heat embargo. Cabin travel is fine. Do your own homework - don't rely on information ONLY from a message board.

Book your cat into the cabin at the SAME TIME as you book your own flight. They check then if there are any other animals flying at the same time. They only allow 2 cats per cabin per flight.

You then pay $35 (or more if it has gone up in price) at the help desk when you check in.

Thanks Mags - We've already checked the Delta website and couldn't find the info that they didn't take pets anymore but then we hadn't called and spoken to anyone directly yet either so...

Ahh - I think I just have to have something to worry about... I am not sure if I prefer worrying about bringing Daisy over or about the interview/medical...

I can tell you my experience bringing a cat from Greece to the US. It won't be of much help to the OP, but others looking for information might get a little help.

I had all the paperwork that others have described. I carried him on the plane. I had to make a reservation for him. There is a limited number of animals allowed on each flight.

At the POE I was told, since I had checked "animal products or a live animal" on the customs card, I had to go to a certain line. He had sh*t as the plane landed and I had taken him into the bathroom and cleaned things up as best I could. I was afraid they were going to think he was sick and quarantine him for however long, a death sentence for him.

The customs officer asked me if the animal product I had was cat food. I said yes, I had cat food, and showed him the food. The labels were in Greek and he asked me what they said. They were fish products. He said, "There's no beef in there?" I said there wasn't. He said okay and turned around to finish his conversation with the other customs officer. He didn't even want to look at my cat.

As for the problem of sh*tting, something he did at all three landings of that trip, I consulted my vet in the US because I was taking the cat with me to China a couple of months later. He said I should start cutting in a little cooked rice with his canned food about a week before the trip. Each day I should increase the portion of rice and decrease the portion of cat food, until finally, on the day of the trip, it was basically just rice with a little food to make it smell like food. It worked beautifully. Apparently rice creates no waste product.

I also gave my cat a mild sedative. I truly believed he would have died otherwise, and I know he would have died if he had been put in the hold. Besides, they didn't allow animals in the hold in the summer, or so I was told by airline officials.

I never heard that about the rice which is interesting... I am getting a direct flight so hopefully if she has to go poo then we can clean up at LAX and get her home reasonably quickly My vet has suggested to not feed her 24 hours before the flight (which sounds so mean - she is going to hate me!!) but then she is also not going to eat on the day of travel either so she is going to be one hungry kitty...

The ice idea sounds good though - Daisy doesn't drink a lot of water but I am sure it will help especially if she isn't eating...

Standard practice is no food for 12 hours before hand and no water for 7.

Aww she is going to so hate me!!!

i agree with you 'dont just rely on a message board'...my post was just from my experiences with different airlines, exporting a largish dog.

best advise is to check and double check and use the message board for additional tips.