Re: Do it yourself dogs !!
 

Be ready for a shock if you contact the airlines directly about shipping you dogs as cargo. We have been quoted of the order of $5000 to fly our 2 German Shepherds from Calgary to Heathow by either Air Canada or BA.

Re: Do it yourself dogs !!
 

I've heard this - Feb was mentioned - anyone know what the months are?

Re: Do it yourself dogs !!
 

I just called Cunard, Ru Bear can travel no problem, on the dates i enquired after they only have the queens suite available for me 6 days one way £6000. Oh well ..............thank god for Air Transat !
:rofl:

Re: Do it yourself dogs !!
 

Just read - no luggage limit - goodbye to goods to follow list I can take it all with us - can just picture my whirly washing line and sofa in the queens suite
:rofl::rofl:

Re: Do it yourself dogs !!
 

HI

Just remember a few things

1. If you want to be on the same plane as your dogs you are restrict to what airlines you can fly , we used canadian affair (Thomas cook) they where interesting.
2. all your shots , cert to fly is only valid for 48 hours so don't fly on a bank holiday (like we did) as that was some fun.
3. cages, just make sure they are big enought for your dog to turn around in as if they are not and you go to book them in , they won't load them.
4. Try to fly during the day , we flew to Toronto landed at 23.00 if was a night mare , PM me and I will tell you what happened so you can be ready.

5. I used another company you have not named , they did all paperwork and got the box built for me (it was lighter and cheaper than the pre-made ones) as they charge by weight for cargo. again if you want more info just PM me

Gary

Re: Do it yourself dogs !!
 

Hi Gary

Thanks for the info i will PM you to get the late landing story !

I have flown Ru Bear before to Malta and organised it myself that time, i had a wooden crate made for his size so it was airline approved size (was too worried it would be too big or too small if i just bought one) the only problem i encountered was that BA sellotaped his passport to the side of the crate (sellotape and mdf ! ) they lost it.
Luckily i had photocopied everything and had been in constant contact with my vet and the minster of agriculture who were meeting me at the airport and knew i had done everything needed.
They said they could see how much i loved my dog and couldnt take him away from me to quarantine so let me take him.
The airport phoned 2 hours later to say they had found his passport on the floor but nobody questioned how i had gotten him out of the airport without it, needless to say they are in the EU now so i should imagine things are a bit stricter (but doubt it)
It was so stressful for me that this time i am using a company to do it for me so i dont have to look at his little face in the cargo bay where i left him.
If i could go in the hold and let him have my seat i would - how crazy is that !
:o
Jo

Re: Do it yourself dogs !!
 

Back in 1985 I worked on the QE2 as a kennel maid - only ship at the time that took pets.

Going to & from the US we had several couples/families emigrating who thought it was a good way of travelling for them & their pets - we'll certainly be considering by sea having an elderly diabetic dobermann that probably wouldn't be passed as 'fit to fly' (if he's still with us when we move over) - it would be way less stressful for him & we'd be able to monitor his blood glucose & give him his twice daily insulin shots no problem :)

Re: Do it yourself dogs !!
 

m4 - -we flew Air Transat and I booked dogs on same flight via their cargo arm - pm me - I can dig out stuff. . . paid apprx 1000 gbp for 2 dogs - karge dobie cross and a short lab - got 2 crates off ebay and paid for their jabs and fit to fly at vets. .

had to pay approx $150 at vancouver to get them in but that was it. . .

Re: Do it yourself dogs !!
 

If you go to BA Cargo website or one of the pet transportation companies, it will tell you how to measure for the correct size crate for your dog (or cat). It is VERY important that you measure correctly as I was told as I was checking in my dog in Miami to return to the UK that her crate was too small! Major panic! She could stand up and turn around easily with what we thought was room to spare but they didn't think she had quite enough headroom and refused to accept the crate and what they say goes. Luckily they had a huge wooden crate someone else left so we did a swap. With all the stress you are going through anyway, trust me, you don't want this to happen to you. Also important is to make sure it is an airline approved crate, not all of them are.

Good luck.

Re: Do it yourself dogs !!
 

Hi Arris,

Sorry for not getting back sooner, a border will fit nicely into a medium Vari-Kennel, the dimensions are 28 x 20.5 x 21.5 (inches) and the weight is 6kg. All but a monster Border will fit in this happily.

In fact the adult I sent over last week I sent in a very slightly smaller one as it was the older type.....no problems.

Hope this helps.

Re: Do it yourself dogs !!
 

Do you mind me asking how you found it landing at Vancouver with the dogs? Were you acutally 'landing' as well? The animal reception centre seems to be miles away - just wondering how long whole process took and how it all worked out transport-wise with dog crates and luggage.

We've been advised to get cats sent out day or two after us because of set-up at Van and wondered if this is necessary. :confused:

Re: Do it yourself dogs !!
 

I was told a couple of weeks ago that Air Transat aren't flying dogs at all any more. It's very confusing all this. The only option really left is BA or AC,both of which are extortionate. Like the cruise idea though!

Re: Do it yourself dogs !!
 

Hi,

We are also looking at going via cunard. We have a pug and no airline will fly her, so it is our only option. Not sure yet how we are going to get from NY to Nova Scotia as my OH is making a fuss about the drive. Do they let dogs on the trains in Canada and the USA?

Re: Do it yourself dogs !!
 

When i spoke to Cunard yesterday the lady was very helpful. She told me the trip to New York can be booked one way but they also do a round trip taking in Canada where you could get off - only catch is you have to pay for the whole trip as if you were coming back. I think this trip may be quite expensive but it would mean you could disembark in Canada and would save the trip form NY, i didnt ask prices as was still in shock from the 6k quoted for the suite to NY (only room left) on my dates. I am going to look inoty other liners and will let you know if i have any more info

Re: Do it yourself dogs !!
 

Thanks for that. Interesting because when I spoke to Cunard they told me the kennels were only available on the New York crossing. Maybe they have had alot of enquiries about people moving to Canada since then.