has anyone left USA with Pets and specifically cats? what is the process? I know that they lifted the quarantine law just have to provide shot records etc..but just wondering if i can buy seats on the plane so they dont have to go cargo.. have four little dogs and four cats.. cant leave them as they are like furry babies!! :-)

No, unfortunately they have to go cargo - and their flights might cost more than yours! They do seem to get quite well looked after though - ours had water given to them through a little funnel into bowls in their cages - and they will be OK once they get to the other end. Good luck!

I sent you a PM also.

DEFRA requires all incoming animals from outside the EU (I'm not entirely sure of rules regarding animals coming from within the EU) to be flown as cargo.

I had the same concerns as you. Our cats are our babies, and I couldn't help but read of bad stories. But we flew ours to the UK on Continental and they arrived in really good condition. They were, of course, out of sorts for the first couple of days, but they soon settled into a normal routine and the normal behaviors returned pretty quickly too.

What was total cost to bring cats to uk can anyone tell me thanks

I was quoted the following by Virgin Cargo. This is for a large cat (medium cage). You also need a compliant cage which will set you back around $50. We bought a Sky Vari model. You also need to factor in vet bills for immunization, chipping etc.

$956 for flight based on a medium cage from NY to London.
£290 on arrival in Heathrow, covers inspection etc.
If the pet arrives on a Sunday there is no inspector there so they need to remain overnight at an additional charge.

You need to arrive at the airport 4 hours prior to departure. You also should allow a few hours for pickup on the other side.

When we made the trip the other way a few years back my wife was also concerned. I wasn't as I don't like the bad natured beast. The cat did remarkably well and the Virgin staff were excellent especially on the London side. We had a good laugh as we arrived. We came off the plane exhausted only to see the cat being picked up in what appeared to be a limo. She was whisked off to cargo while we struggled through immigration.

Just wanted to share with people that I just got a quote from BA to travel with my dog to the UK in November. Quote for dog was $1600 and this doesnt include the cost of the vets stuff and documents needed etc. One way ticket for me will be an additional $1400 (although if I book two way for me it is only about $900) My dog is a 70lb lab and the crate is extra large. Just wanted to share to give people an idea of cost. Will be calling Virgin tomorrow when they are open to see what their quote is. From my research BA and virgin are the best to fly your pets with and have a better record than other airlines when it comes to illness and death during transport.

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...2#post10157612

Its all here

Just curious if anyone flying their dogs gave them a mild sedative?? I know airlines wont take sedated dogs but I talked with my vet who said we could give a small enough dose that she would still be able to move around and steady herself if she needed to but it would take the edge off her anxiety. I have a very anxious 6 year old lab who sleeps in the bathtub when we get thunder as she's a nervous wreck. There's no way I am leaving her behind so want to make sure that the flight is as easy as possible for her.

Not a good idea if there is a reaction to the sedative and they are sick and choke................

Have you tried Thundershirt? I find it really takes the edge off my dog's anxiety.


You definitely should not give your dog any sedative before flying.

when I talked to my vet she mentioned giving her a very low dose of something not to fully sedate but just to take the edge off her anxiety. We would try out various types and doses in the months leading to the trip so we can see how she tolerates it. I have been doing a ton of research and some say sedate and others say not at all so I'm not sure what to do. My dog gets very anxious even when she is in the car on the highway, thunderstorms are also a big trigger and she takes hours to calm down. Really trying to figure out what would be the best for her. She did fly as a puppy when she came to me. Not sure how she did as I was not with her, but I suspect the noise and bumping around probably has something to do with her anxiety now. Maybe I'm the one who needs the sedative

I know that most airlines are strictly against it on long haul flights, so to be honest not sure how you are going to be able to administrate the dose to the doggie, you have to be at cargo 3-4 hours before the flight and once they accept the pet, you will not see them again until you are at the other end, so if you do give doggie the sedative and the officials at cargo suspect something pouch is going nowhere!.....just a friendly warning

When I just brought my cat to the UK I was beside myself with fear he would be so scared and have a heart attack, especially at take off and landing the noise must be terrifying for them, but he is fine and heading back to the US with me next month

+1. I remember the cargo handlers at Continental asking me if we had given our cats any sedation because they will not accept animals that have been dosed. From what research I read before-hand, it was highly recommended to not give animals any sedatives as they metabolize drugs differently at altitude and it may have a negative effect on them that you wouldn't see when they are at home. And from what my step-sis (who is a vet) said, just because the animal doesn't have a bad reaction to a sedative at home, doesn't mean they won't have a reaction to it later. No one wants their pet having a reaction at 35,000ft with no medical help available.

I was more terrified for our kitties when they flew with us last year, than I was for anything else. I couldn't help but imagine how scared shiteless they would be with all the noise. But they came out ok on the other side.

If your dog isn't crate trained already, I would highly recommend going ahead and buying a crate now to get your dog used to the crate. Get them used to going into and sleeping in it, so they associate it with good things.

Bluegrass I totally agree with you, basically they are playing with fire, and as I said before, if they do react to the dose and vomit and choke then..........................

I think your vet is being irresponsible. Unless he/she has a simulated airline cargo hold, you have no way of knowing what effect even a low dose of sedative would have during the plane journey.

Suzy (my Lab) flew the Atlantic three times. She was a very anxious traveller, didn't like thunderstorms, fireworks or other loud noises, and came through fine after all three flights. I was probably more worried about her than I needed to be - her tail was wagging within seconds of seeing me after getting off the plane. Her appetite and behaviour was normal immediately and she showed zero after-effects of the journey, even though she was a middle-aged dog for her last flight (9 or 10 years old, I can't recall exactly).

Don't sedate your dog during a flight.