Hi, is there anyone out there who has flown older pets to Canada, and would they recommend it? We have two 16 yr old cats that we're going to have to take with us. As much as I want them to come, I was kinda hoping a kind rellie or friend would offer to take them for us, but it seems we don't know any cat lovers!!! I'm quite worried that the journey will be too much for them, so if anyone can tell me about any positive experiences they have had, I would be very pleased to hear them!!

Our two dogs weren't ancient, but at 8 and a half classed as older (they are both lab-size dogs).

Both coped no problem at all with the 3 flights and an overnight stay in heathrow - even the one who is really nervy and anxious wasn't put out at all by the whole thing - 10 minutes out of the crate and he was back to normal!

we brought our old dog with us she is about 10 or 11(we got her years ago from the cat & dog home)she found it hard to settle at first but soon as we bought our own place she has been great.good luck if you bring your cats with you we just would not have left our dog we have had her far to long

I fetched 2 11 year old dogs and both was fine with the travel

We brought two 12 year old cats and I know someone who brought a 16 year old cat, without problems.

Cats aged 16 and 17 flew fine, including one flaky old fella and a small nervous critter. No problems, and adopted to their new home like cats to, uh, a saucer of warm milk.

We used Ladyhaye to arrange transport of said beasts.

R>

Thanks to all of you for your positive responses - they make me feel a whole lot better!

Our doggies were 12 and 15 and everything went just fine. We are so glad they came with us.

i have a tortoise i buried a few years back, i am concerned i may have misconstrued this thread

but he deserves to share the experience with us.

We have some different pets to bring with us, wonder if anyone has any advice on how to do it? We have two guineapigs (one of which is called Peeeeg), and a corn snake (called... snake).

The guineapigs I assume we can just get ferried over in a travelling box type scenario, with food and water.

I am a bit worried about the snake as he obviously needs to be in a heated enclosure, with power going to his heat mat. He sleeps 90% of the time anyhow, and we can make sure he has had a good feed a couple of days before we go, so he won't need anything to eat.

Anyone had any experience in ferrying either of these over to Canada?

Our old collie was twelve, had never been crated and was quite put out by the whole experience.

She was so quiet on arrival here that the animal inspector asked how much sedation she'd been given! (None btw ..... I'm sure she was just sulking!)

As soon as we arrived at the new place and let her out, and she found all the family was there she was absolutely fine. She's almost 15 now, and I am daily eyeing her and wondering at what point we should arrange that final visit to the vet. Then she makes me feel bad by suddenly bouncing back and demanding to play!

I'm glad you asked this question Mrs A and I feel happier reading the responses. As I'm still here on a visa there's always a chance I might have to go home (or might want to ) and my biggest concern about doing that would be taking my dogs who were both 4 when I got here. They're now 9 and 8 respectively and the thought of flying them when they had such a bad time 5 years ago (when they were 5 years younger) really bothers me. This makes me feel a little better....

Flew in a 1/2 bee of mine once, named Eric, he had no travel problems. Semi-carnally.

Hi Esme We will be flying out 3 dogs 9yrs 8yrs and 4yrs what problems did yours have when you flew them out 5 years ago ?

I discussed tranquilising them with my vet who recommended I didn't: No animal died of fright he said but they dertainly have died from complications surrounding medication and as there would be noone in the hold to see if something went wrong I had to accept this. I kept them with me until 1 hour before the flight and they were fine in their crates hanging out in Manchester Airport. When I picked them up in Toronto the pair of them were FRANTIC and PEarson International didn't have a trolley large enough to put both crates on so I had to put the two crates on the trolley sideways with only the middle of the crates supported. The dogs were flying around the crates and kept tipping them off which stressed me out even more. They either drank all the water they were given during the flight or they didn't get any water coz their bowls were bone dry. A nice chap gave me a bottle of water because the airport authorities wouldn't let me go get some until I'd cleared customs. Once we did clear customs and I was able to get the dogs out they were fine. They were both still rapid breathing somewhat that evening but after a night's sleep you wouldn't know they'd been through an ordeal. Plus they were really happy when I got them out of the crates even for 10 mins (had to go back in as we were taxiing down to Niagara Falls). I think it may have been less stressful if there were two of me. I forgot to mention that I was getting my baggage from the carousel when I saw 2 airport guys bring the crates out and dump them in the middle of a packed terminal without handing them over to me.... nice, huh? The people in Manchester were waaaaaaaay more supportive!