POE Husband + Cat

[alibaba16 2]

Just planning ahead. I won't be able to travel with my husband when he finally gets his visa and comes to the US as a permanent resident. We are living abroad now and I'll be going back to the States to start a new job in the next few months. Should I bring our cat? It would be more convenient for me to leave the cat here and let him bring it later, but I'm worried he'll (the husband) get hassled when he shows up at customs with a cat. Any thoughts or experiences with this?

[tooduhri 0]

well, it took me about one and half hour to go through the process, and your husband will have to deal with the cat going through the custom inspection. other than the amount of time he will have to spend at the airport, I don't really see what difference it would make.

Edited May 3, 2011 by tooduhri

[Brusik 11]

I thought animals had to go through a quaranteen period like 6 months?? My wife can bring her cat??

I just can't see a cat spending 24 hours in a little box on the plane?? I know people take pets but I was never sure how its

done on a long flight...............

[Harpa Timsah 13,260]

Look over the requirements for the cat - it needs its shots up to date etc and perhaps some papers. I have not travelled with a cat internationally (but I have looked into the rules), but I have travelled with a cat domestically for 12 hours, so kudos to you for being responsible and bringing kitty! meow! Hatuli!

It shouldn't change immigration in any way. Good luck!

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

The trip isn't fun for the cat (or your husband if he flies coach), so I would suggest a tranquilizer for the cat, and perhaps the husband. Since it's funny now, I have to tell you a true story.

Back in 1991 to 1994, I flew a lot from Los Angeles to Europe. I am 6'6" tall, so sitting for 15 hours in-midst a bunch of obese dudes has never been fun for me. The other day I had a visit from a friend of mine, who was a pretty successful dentist. We talked about my constant reluctance to fly coach, and he told me that he just pops in a pill and sleeps the entire flight. I asked him if he could give me a few of those pills and he did, but warned me not to take more than a half pill initially and only the other half if I didn't feel super sleepy half an hour later.

On the next flight, I popped half a pill in, started watching TV, and didn't feel sleepy at all. Half an hour later I popped in the other half. Another half later I still didn't feel sleepy and took another one. Then the curtain fell.

I remember London, where I must have changed airplanes, like a Zombie in the fog, and I remember my suitcase on this transportation thingi. I woke up 2 days later in my bed, no idea how I got there.

I told my Dentist friend about this and he said "are you insane? I told you not to take more than 1 pill under any circumstances."

Years later, I learned what kind of pills I had taken: Rohypnol, later abused as the infamous date rape drug. It sure works!

Edited May 3, 2011 by Just Bob

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Ideally, you need to arrange for the cat to travel in the cabin with whomever it travels - either you or your husband. Travelling in cargo is incredibly hard on cats and many cats can die on an extended cargo flight. Some airlines even refuse to take them and those that do also refuse to take them at certain times of year due to weather extremes (too hot or too cold - because there is always the possibility of an extended waiting time when the plane is on the ground and the animal is confined in the unheated/unairconditioned cargo hold). For the safety of the cat it needs to be on a flight travelling in the cabin in a carrier that will fit under the seat. A cat should NOT be tranquilized - it makes it difficult for them to adjust to the flight and can interfere with their ability to breathe during the flight.

The cat can travel with either of you, but in the cat's best interest, it should fly with the one who is best able to accommodate the cat in the cabin and during a flight on the shortest time en route as you can arrange. Custom delays may make the travel time longer for the cat so it may be better travelling with you. You also need to check with the airlines to see what is required for the cat - some restrict flights to only one or two animals per flight and there may be others on board, and as I said, some don't transport animals at all. Regardless, you should not be considering any other option except the cat travelling as one of your carry-on bags and fitting under the seat in front of you during the flight. It won't be happy but it will be a lot happier and safer than in the cargo hold.

The cat will need proof of recent rabies shots and for the cats best interest it should be up to date on its medical vaccinations. Some airlines have a type of passport they insist on an animal having and there are time limits during which the cat must have been medically inspected (no later than and no earlier than dates). I know a number of VJ members have brought their pets to the US so hopefully one of them will speak up and add to this discussion. I travelled with 6 cats two days by car and that was an experience all on its own.

Edited May 3, 2011 by Kathryn41