The sponsorship of my wife has been approved so now we’re waiting to hear from the CHC London. As we’ve already bought a house in Ottawa we are planning to go early to mid-June.

I just was wondering if anyone had any experiences of transporting dogs to Ottawa. We’ve decided to use Ladyhaye (Zoom Airlines), though we haven’t actually returned their booking form yet.

We’ve got a Yorkshire Terrier and a Giant Schnauzer. What happens to them in Ottawa after landing? How long will it take my wife & me to get through immigration before we can collect them? I’ve been told they are unloaded at the cargo terminal.

Thanks

Russ…

Here's what you're looking for:
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/...rt/dogse.shtml

Seems like rabies is the only real issue... there's a list of what countries are rabies free on the page of the link above.

I can't advise on the dog part but I use Ottawa airport quite often. It's small, quiet and nothing seems to take very long.

And now for the practical stuff.

Don't go to the extra expense of having a wood crate built, simply buy the airline approved plastic dog carrier boxes. These come in three sizes, small, medium, and large. Follow the airline directions about NOT feeding the dogs prior to the flight ( ask for that information right away ) and be calm, some dogs ( show dogs) travel by air , as much as some people do. Live animals are loaded last and unloaded first, at arrival, before any thing else comes off the plane.

On arrival, the dogs will be taken in their boxes to the cargo building, where the staff will take them out, to the dog run area, with real Canadian grass, for a roll and a walk. After you have cleared Immigration and Customs, you can go over to the cargo area, and claim your dogs. The UK is considered to be "rabies free " so no quarantine is needed. You will need a Vet's certificate of good health ( no more than 3 months old at the time of the flight ) and their "shots record " book.

Once you are in the house in Ottawa, get them each a city of Ottawa dog tag , so they are identified, and can be traced back to you if they are lost. Ask the neighbours with dogs about a local Vet to use. You can buy " pet health insurance " in Canada. that pays for emergency Vet care, and also covers some routine things like annual examinations .

Good luck and remember they will sleep most of the flight, in their little "caves ".

Jim Bunting. Toronto.

Thanks.

I did have to have a crate built. After taking the measurements of Mr Blue I was told by Air Canada, British Airways & Ladyhaye that he was too big for one of the airline plastic crates. He is above the average height and weight for a Giant Schnauzer (8 ½ stone). I was hoping to get him used to the crate for a couple of months before we go. Unfortunately it sits, taking up loads of room, in our bedroom. And he won’t go in it unless I go in first! At least Charlie likes to sleep in his plastic crate.

But it’s reassuring to know they will be let out for a run while they wait for us to pick them up.

Cheers

Russ…

Hi

Just a quick question about the run they let out into. I'm probably not going to be doing this for a while but always good to be prepared!! I have huskies who are prone to running off therefore, are they let out in a SECURE area, i.e. fully enclosed?
Thanks very much
C

Cynthia:

It is not a run, the Crargo staff take them outside on a lead, individually, to a dog toilet grass area, outside the cargo building. So no escapees.........

Be assured that many dogs and cats travel, every day, by air.

Jim B. Toronto.

Thanks for that Jim, just something else to not worry about!

El Al lost a cat at the Toronto airport, somehow it got out into the hold and when they opened the door it scampered off. I think the fact that this made the national news and that they organized search parties to comb the airport shows that it doesn't happen very often. (The cat was found after a couple of days during which the entire city held its breath).

Not good, poor El Al! Bet the cat had fun though! Although if it's anything like mine when it goes missing, it probably just spent the whole time sleeping!

make sure you have all your certificates ready for inspection, If I recall, we called the airport before we left to ensure a vet was there for the inspection. This may have changed, I think we waited around 30 minutes before Dusty came through.