Frank40

Hi all,

I'm researching about sending my 2 dogs from Manchester to Toronto as we are immigrating. We have a Husky and Labrador Retriever. I think we are set on using a company called "Animal Airlines" but before I go ahead with any confirmation I would like to know if anyone has used this company before and what are your experiences?

I tried searching the forum but couldn't find any feedback.

Frank

Siouxie

Have you considered just doing it yourself? Air Transat, for instance, allow your pet to fly as excess baggage on the same flight as you are on for around £300. You don't need a pet passport either!

If you do a search in the forum for dog to Canada there are many threads. I am not sure if this link will work but there are 4 or 5 threads at the top of the page.

A couple to start you off: http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...&highlight=dog

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...&highlight=dog

There is also a very good wiki article but you should ignore the comment about Air Transat, they DO allow pets to be transported: http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Transporting_Pets

http://www.airtransat.co.uk/en/gamme...voyageur&id=20

__TJ__

i asked them about this and they said NO, as he was too big ( black lab) if its a yorkie or a shitzhu then you are laughing otherwise you are looking at $$$s

check where you have to collect the animals from and what is the order of play once you land, get thru immigration and get your bags, at vancouver you have to go to an office about 3 miles off airport, and get paperwork sorted ( took 2 hours) then go back to the cargo terminal and collect the animal. poor darlin was in that box for 5 hours longer than needed be as the company we used cocked up! i swear he fair drooled at the patch of grass they have outside when he finally got out for a wee!

i can heartily reccommend christine at whitehouse kennels ( she handled the return trip for our un-emigration and our subsequent re-emigration and my dogs well being was her primary concern. (http://www.whitehouse-kennels.co.uk/) would recommend her to the moon and back!

Siouxie

Other people have bought their large dogs from the UK to Canada on Air Transat - the most recent were Dave n Ailsa (just last month). At Toronto (where the OP has stated they will land) Air Transat have the dog at the passenger terminal, no having to go to Cargo - though you do have to make sure they are on the goods to follow list.

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=793763

Frank40

I've flown with Air Transat a few times and while they are cheap they are essentially the transatlantic version of Ryan Air. Money is not an issue. I like the idea of a more tailored service that will better guarantee the well being of my dogs.

Frank40

Thanks, I will look into this company. Did your dogs have to go in quarantine on their arrival back in the UK?

The guy at Animal Airlines seems really nice and caring but I'm just looking for feedback to ensure this is not just a sales pitch.

People may laugh but I consider my dogs with the same love I would give to any human member of my immediate family.

dbd33

But not to the point of flying Air Transat yourself if it's better for them?

nikki dreaming

I used Ladyhaye, no complaints, I think experiences of shipping animals can be similar to shipping goods, everyone can have different experiences.

franfluff

Air Transat will do it for $275 per dog, size doesnt matter! x

Frank40

Well obviously the rules governing the safety of people on an airliner, budget or otherwise, are far more stringent and enforced than that of animal. Animals cannot complain or give an account of how they were treated. I fear that on a budget airliner my dogs would be more likely dealt with as just cargo than on say Air Canada or British Airways.

Surely you didn't intend to imply that I am putting my family at risk by having them fly on a budget plane.

Siouxie

Which airline will the company use that you are thinking of paying thousands to, to transport them for you? How many extra hours of being in a crate will your dogs have to endure by using a pet tranportation company?

There are rules about the transportation of pets on every airline, some adhere to them better than others. I couldn't find any reports on pet deaths on Air Transat (although I did find one for Air Canada), unlike the US airlines (not budget)who seem to get a fair amount of pet injuries and deaths: http://www.petflight.com/pet-incidents/list

__TJ__

i called them in 2011 and again in 2012, both times they refused point blank because of his size, and that of the kennel he required ( vari kennel giant) they may have changed rules since

me too. my dog is my favourite child sometimes!

ChrisNI

I used Air Transat to fly our large german shepherd and greyhound over. We had 3 giant vari kennels and it was all fine until we were boarding and were told the crates wouldn't fit through the airplane door. After much panic, they did manage to fit them in and the dogs arrived very happy and were completely themselves.

I thought Air Transat was excellent and to fly 3 dogs and a cat over, it cost us $1110. It was a great and fun experience.

Frank40

Thanks for the info but the link is just domestic US flights.

I see Air Transat are getting some good reviews. I think it's sensible to be skeptical of a "budget" airline but perhaps they care more about ensuring their reputation than a bigger airline. I'm just trying to cover all options.

I've not had a problem with Air Transat. I like the direct flights but I can barely move in my seat and on my last trip only one toilet in the whole plane was functioning. You get what you pay for.

Not to mention all those awkward moments passing people in the isle. The Airbus is so damn compact.

Siouxie

That's because their seats are bigger than Air Canada, lol.