Relocating back to the UK with 2 cats
 

Hi all
Apologies if I have posted this in the wrong place! Myself and my husband are moving back to the UK from Canada and have 2 cats to go too. Is anyone able to suggest some companies that would transport the cats (apparently you can't with Air transat directly with them anymore) I've heard rumours some companies can arrange for them to go on the same flight as you?! Any guidance? Prices from someone that's had a similar situation? Would be so very much appreciated!
Kindest Regards

Re: Relocating back to the UK with 2 cats
 

For Air Transat try Petsaway based in the UK. There is another firm based in Vancouver, but I haven't kept a note of their name. When I was moving my cats last year, there was no significant difference in pricing between the two firms.

Re: Relocating back to the UK with 2 cats
 

We used Pet Relocation to get our 2 cats from Texas to the UK. They were great, a little expensive but our cats are very nervous travellers. They have just travelled to Holland and we used PetAirUK and they were not as good.

Re: Relocating back to the UK with 2 cats
 

I can't answer your question directly, but one point worth investigating is whether the airline/cargo company will handle animals exiting Canada during winter months. I remember bringing my 2 kitties into Canada 10 years ago now and arriving just before the end of October, which was deemed the cut-off point until spring.

Re: Relocating back to the UK with 2 cats
 

Have you looked into flying with an airline which would allow your cats to travel in the cabin with you - I know you can't fly into England like this but you could get as far as Paris and then hire a car for the rest of the journey going via Calais (tunnel or ferry). That might be a possibility and less stressful for the cats. Best of luck!

Re: Relocating back to the UK with 2 cats
 

As a cat owner, i find it difficult to imagine how cabin travel plus a long car journey could be less stressful for a cat than travelling as cargo.

Re: Relocating back to the UK with 2 cats
 

A vet can prescribe tranquillisers

Re: Relocating back to the UK with 2 cats
 

I don't think that is recommended because the low pressure in the cabin combined with tranquillisers can be fatal.

Our cats were fine. Our 22 year old, who had gone out to Canada with us 8 years before, clearly recognised that she was home, even if it was Gatwick airport. She was pleased to see us, but even keener on investigating those familiar bird noises in the hedge outside the animal reception centre.

Re: Relocating back to the UK with 2 cats
 

I was just trying to be helpful and suggest alternatives. For my own cat's well-being I know he would freak out being separated from us. And I've read that pets have died because nobody remembered to switch the heating/pressure on in the cargo hold, plus there's no 100% guarantee they travel on the same flight as the owner therefore ending up in a holding area for many hours. In the end each owner makes the best choice for their own pet.

Re: Relocating back to the UK with 2 cats
 

According to scientists, cats don't suffer from separation anxiety.

Both going to Canada in '06 with Air Canada, and returning with Air Transat in '14, the cats were on the same flight as us across the Atlantic. In '06, we flew to Calgary and from there to Edmonton. The cats could not be transferred to the same plane from Calgary and were put on a flight one hour later.

Re: Relocating back to the UK with 2 cats
 

I'm sure my 20 year old cat did better in cargo in a carrier that was large enough for her to move around in than she would have done in the cabin squished in a small carrier under a seat. I flew with her from Halifax to Heathrow on Icelandair and made sure she was on the same flights as me. I arranged everything myself and the whole experience couldn't have gone more smoothly.

Re: Relocating back to the UK with 2 cats
 

[QUOTE=Editha;11771952]According to scientists, cats don't suffer from separation anxiety.


"Scientists" haven't met my cat.

Re: Relocating back to the UK with 2 cats
 

[QUOTE=2minds;11803007]I'm a scientist and I think the problem might be your's rather than the cat's.

Re: Relocating back to the UK with 2 cats
 

[QUOTE=Novocastrian;11803746]

Re: Relocating back to the UK with 2 cats
 

That's a very ignorant comment.