pets flying to UK
 

we are hoping (if all goes according to plan) to move back to UK (flying in to Manchester) from toronto.
we have pets and have been advised via DEFRA that there are only 3 airlines that deal with importing animals back to UK and we have been advised that we have to use IPATA kennel agent and the cost will roughly be $1000/animal.

we have had the animals microchipped and rabies vaccinated and titer blood tested and now have to wait for 6 months then we can fly and they won't need quarantine.

does anyone know of any cheaper way to travel?

did you also know that the Queen Mary ship travels from New York to Southampton and can accommodate pets I think that's so classy.

thank you to anyone who has good suggestions.

Re: pets flying to UK
 

Google could have been your friend here

http://www.cunard.com/FAQ/faq.asp?Ca...=&ArticleID=11

Re: pets flying to UK
 

This is less luxurious, but saves a few bucks.

http://www.freightercruises.com/main...reighters.html

Re: pets flying to UK
 

According to this, this is the only way to get pets into the UK by sea

http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pet...routes-sea.htm

and I believe it is booked up for most of this year already :(

I'm looking for a cheaper way to get a couple of dogs to the UK too, but I don't think there is much alternative to very expensive flights. Who quoted you the $1000 per animal Jan, that sounds really cheap compared to what I've been quoted, but I know it depends on the size of your pet. What pets do you have?

Re: pets flying to UK
 

ladyhaye kennels in the uk
2 papillons they only measure 12" tall

Re: pets flying to UK
 

I flew my dog back with me in July from Toronto to Heathrow with BA and dealing with BA direct picking him up when i landed so we were on same flight, i did already have my own crate though and it was more stressful personally than having someone pick him up and deal with it for you. Next time i will definately sail with him x

Re: pets flying to UK
 

did you use an IPATA registered kennel company such as Ladyhaye in the UK to check all the paperwork?
we've been advised that we can only use air canada, air transat or thomas cook and have to go through an IPATA agent costing an average of $1000 per animal. how much did your pet's flight cost? thank you so much, Jan

Re: pets flying to UK
 

Unless they are expensive pedigree's, I think it'd be cheaper to get new ones when you're back in the UK.

Re: pets flying to UK
 

lol, I hope he's joking :rofl:

Anyway, as they are so small that explains why it was much cheaper than my quote. I seem to remember that you can fly two dogs in the same crate if they are small enough and normally live together, maybe you could look into that, would save a bit of money?

Re: pets flying to UK
 

Not really. I'm not suggesting you put them down, just why not give them to friends and save the poor creatures from the trauma of a trans-Atlantic flight. I know people who went to Australia that did that and the pets are now having a lovely life with new owners without the stress of flying or quarantine.

Re: pets flying to UK
 

Usually I wouldn't agree with Oink but this time I do...
I have the most gorgeous Golden Retriever here in the UK but I don't want to put her through a move to Canada so she will be moving to a friends when we eventually get our Visas...
:blink:

Re: pets flying to UK
 

Animals are transported all over the world - healthy dogs have no problem with the trip. I flew 2 border collies over here and they adjusted very quickly, and showed no ill-effects from the flight.

Re: pets flying to UK
 

I couldn't agree more with R I C H. My sister transported her British Bulldog from America to the UK, these are one of the worst breeds to transport and he travelled fine.
If we are successful with our immigration application, we will be taking our rottweiler and cat with us.

Re: pets flying to UK
 

Another 'ditto' for RICH's comment. And having fostered dogs for various rescues for years, I've seen how much they pine when owners leave them behind to emigrate - far better to put them through the short stress of a flight than weeks of pining and the far greater stress of adjusting to a new home imo!

No way would I have considered leaving my dog behind personally.

Re: pets flying to UK
 

I transported 2 dachshunds from Ottawa to Heathrow in August 2007 for $1400 total. They went in the same crate (brothers) and each weighed 14 pounds. Used Air Canada (make sure you book in advance with them, but they are very good with the animals) and James cargo at the Heathrow end. I made sure to send all of my documents in advance to James Cargo so they could check to see for any potential problems.

Fortunately all went off without a hitch. The dogs were freaked out but quickly recovered....it was obvious they didn't sleep on the flight as they crashed completely as soon as we got them in the car in London. The staff at the Animal Centre at Heathrow were fantastic.