Hi
I've started thinking about the process of getting our Golden Retriever to Canada and know she will be a borderline case to be able to travel as excess baggage (32kg)
What I don't know is how much the crate will weigh to know whether she needs to start weight watchers or not!
Any ideas?
Thanks

Use teh interweb.

Well the weight of the crate would depend on the weight of the dog inside Im guessing

Hi

I have just bought a sky kennel and it weighs 11kg from www,johnhumphris.com (extra large size). It cost £142. My dog weighs between 32Kg and 34 Kg (it fluctuates due to steroids) and is a taller than average Labrador and will NOT be able to fly as excess baggage as the combined weight is approx 44Kg.

Air Canada will fly her, if I take her to Cargo at Heathrow and collect her from Cargo at Toronto for £810. This is half the cost I have been quoted by specialist pet shippers. All she will need is up to date innoculations, a Rabies Jab (you don't need to prove immunity (blood tests) Just that she has had it) Micro chipped and a couple of days before the flight a fitness to fly certificate provided by your vet.

So I wouldn't advise weightwatchers...or it could be a Whippet you end up shipping....so resign yourself to the Cargo route. Canadian Affair do not fly pets during summer or winter due to temperature extremes. It has been said that they will fly Thomas Cook from Manchester, but having contacted them, it is a Cargo arrangement and they insist you go through a Pet shipper and will not allow you to DIY as they do not deal with the public. The excuse I was given is that a 'shipper' will ensure the correct documentation for the destination and they do not get involved in that.
Hope this helps

Stef

Stef
I knew about winter, but didn't know this! Do you know which period they class as summer for this purpose?

Hi
I think it is from June - End Sept, but not 100% on that. The problem is the standing time on the tarmac at the airports, the holds are not temperature controlled. Cargo holds are.
Hope this helps
lol
Stef

We are hoping to go Mid- End July....so was particularly focussed on them not flying pets when I wanted to go. It will tell you on the website though
lol
Stef

Thanks Stef

Hi
So when are you looking to fly? What type of dog / cat you taking with you?
lol
Stef

Hi Stef, thanks for your reply, it was very helpful. Even at her slimmest she was 24kg which was quite skinny for a Golden Retriever so add the 11kg that takes her over! Oh well at least the cats qualify!
Thanks again

We're not going for a couple of years, but it would be May/June when we take three cats - we have four now, but one is nearly 20 and unlikely she'll be around then. OH and daughter will go over first, then we'll send cats, me following on with son after his exams. We were thinking of using a local company who quoted £700 for the three (one double and one single crate), inc crates, o/night accom before flight, taking them to airport, fitness to fly certs and all paperwork.

We shipped two labs in August with AC. Cargo - (summer period). Cost us a fortune, lol, but hey ho. They had to have a crate each too <sigh>.

But you L O V E them right.....so what's a few quids?
lol
Stef

OH said we can either take 2 dogs and 2 kids, or 1 dog and 3 kids, we can't afford to take them all...

...and yet here we are with all 5 in tow... no cash, but hey...

Hi Stef,

Where did you find out dogs don't need the blood test from? when i have looked at the Defra website and spoken with my vet we have to get a blood test to check for immunity 30 days after the jab.
My 2 dogs are off for their jab this morning so i will check with vet again.