I'm getting ready to move to Vancouver in March and we have a 10 year old border collie. I worry about the long journey at his age. Has anyone experienced taking an aging pet to Canada.

Karen

We flew 2 border collies over, aged 9 and 10 and they coped fine. Both were in perfectly good health prior to the flight, and bar a little disorientation in terms of their feeding times, and an upset tummy on the drive from Vancouver to Kamloops (neither have ever been particularly happy car travellers) they settled in great.

Hi we moved our cats one 14 and the other 2. They had been in the cattery for a month after we had moved out of our house and then had to travel from H=Jersey to LGW then LHR then to calgary. They were a little scared when I collected them but absolutly fine and within 24 hours had settled. We used British airways and they were fantastic

Hi
Friends of ours brought their 12 year old German Shepherd to Vancouver in August. He had a better journey than they did and arrived full of himself. Since he got to BC he's got a new lease of life and is fair trotting - must be good for his arthritis.

I have to say actually that our 14 year old cat is in better spirits that he has been for years. Although not liking this snow too much!!

brought our dog with us from Scotland to vancouver with B.A. Excellent service. On arrival the dog seemed happy and relaxed which is supprising because a 5min car trip sends him into a fit.

Hiya
I think our pets cope better than we do.Ours had a long 7 hour drive after our landing and were as happy as ever.
My 10 yr old whippet who did'nt like the cold wearther in the UK and spent most of her days in bed, is absolutely loving it in Canada. She seems to have had a new lease on life and is loving the snow. Don't worry too much they are hardy.

Liz

Hi, we hope to be moving to Kelowna early next year and have two small dogs Shi-tzu & Lhaso-Apso aged 8 & 10. I am so worried and stressed not sure which airline is best, can we fly on same plane, did you all use a pet carrying company or did you book it all yourself and last but not least - how much approximately as I was quoted £4,000.

Your advice is really appreciated at this stressful time!

Can feel your pain Tracie....we are taking two dogs 3 & 6 year old German Pointer & Cairn Terrier. We are going to be using Jets4Pets, would strongly advise you to get in touch with Leanne Baxter, she is a great help.

It will work out about £2k for us, but worth taking much of the stress outta the process.

Hi Tracie107
We flew Air Canada and our 2 flew on the same flight, as excess baggage, checked in with us at LHR, no hassle at all, great attitude in London and at Toronto airport from the staff. 1 of our dogs is 10 and she coped really well.
I think if we used cargo it would have been a different story.
Cost was also minimal. £245 for both of them.

Liz

Thanks Alvic,

Do they deal with everything like I mean everything - as it would be nice for someone to just take over at the moment! My OH just doesn't seem to understand what I have had to do to organise the whole entire move from the start.............I even got him the job!

Now I have just read an article that Zoom airlines stopped taking snubby nose dogs, not sure if a shi-tzu falls into this category. So more stress:curse:

Help I have no strength left in me to celebrate christmas..........am I alone

Thanks Dizzylizz,

Gonna inquire about sending my OH via Cargo........................lost in transit springs to mind

Tracie
Friends of ours who came over with Transat in August, did it all themselves. They landed at Vancouver too, same flight as their dog. If you want I can ask them to jot down what you need to do?
One less stress!

Hi we used BA and they were fantastic. Although because we came form the Channel Islands there was additional cost and 2 cats cost £3400. That was pretty much the price for all carriers. Some airlines no longer carry live animals. Good luck I found it far more stressful that they did!!

Hi Tracie

Yes they deal with everythin....I feel very much like you as it was through me posting on here that my OH got his job and I have had to do everything in our immigration process too.
At least this way i know it has been done

As we are flying from NI to Regina and have to fly via Calgary because the dogs cannot fly internal flights in Canada in the winter (we were originally going to fly them with Air Canada from Belfast/Toronto/Regina, but could not be done in winter months), it will be much better for us to let someone else handle things. Phone some of the companies and discuss things first though. A few months ago we bought two Pet Cargo crates to get the dogs used to them and tomorrow the Pet Shop are actually coming to pick them up and try to sell them again for us. They are massive and yet Jets4Pets are certain the big dog does not have enough headroom.

So we are getting them to provide the correct crates now - that was something else that was giving me sleepless nights - being turned away at the airport because the dogs crates were not proper size.