White-ishRose

I have just got my new internet connection here - so glad to be back on line, I don't much like sitting in bookshops to use the internet.

I know there are a lot of threads about moving dogs transatlantic, but I have just had the most stressful week ever. I don't normally like naming names, but this time I feel so frustrated by the lack of service I have just received, I want to tell the whole world, so I'll start here...

Our two dogs were booked to fly from CDG Paris on a direct flight to Newark. We didn't live close to Paris, so the dogs were sent their crates to get accustomed to for a couple of weeks then were to be picked up and driven to Paris, spend the night in the kennels there and then be put on the same flight as me the next day. I was to fly from our local airport and connect onto the same flight as them. The animal transport company were not a pet specialist, but Seine Transport Logistic (STLC). They had never been very proactive on the information, every question we asked was answered, but no additional information ever offered. I had not chosen them but they were sub-contracted to by our removal company (Interdean) who have a cushy little number with OH's company for transporting all their employees, as required, transatlantic. I had never been very comfortable with the arrangements, but was never given any real choices or opportunity to express any opinions.

STLC sent a courier to pick up the dogs, who informed me that there are no kennels at CDG and the dogs would be kept in their travel crates, and only if he was to take them out to feed them and give them a walk, would they be able to stretch their legs. As my dogs left the house in the back of an old transit, I could hear one of them desperately trying to escape - she is a very nervous dog normally. Not a good start, I was heartbroken to let them go.

The next day I set off to Paris, and asked when I boarded the transatlantic flight that I would like to be informed when the dogs had been loaded. We sat there for a long time, there were lots of delays and connections had to be waited for. Just as we were about to push back, I called one of the staff to ask about my dogs. They rushed back to tell me that they had been loaded and all was well. I was not to worry. Oh yeah - right!

When I got to Newark, I went through immigration (about 1.5 hours) and then my OH picked me up and we went round to cargo to collect the dogs. It was there that they told me that there were no dogs on the plane. They had not been told of any dogs, and so had not been out with their air-con unit to collect them. It was incredibly hot, and immediately we were terrified that they had been left on a plane since landing. After a lot of shouting and a lot of really very unhelpful people from Air France (not that I would ever expect any help from that lot) we were told that they had not been booked on to that flight. Great.

As the time in Paris was then after midnight, we had to wait until 0900 Paris time to call to try and find out where my dogs were. Nobody could tell us where they were or any other information. We couldn't sleep until we knew what had happened.

By the way - the cargo boys and girls at Newark were great - lovely lot and really care about the animals they have to deal with.

It would seem that a 'last minute' urgent shipment of cheese (what else from France?) had been booked into the air conditioned hold of the plane and my dogs had been bumped onto another days flight. Nobody had bothered to tell us.

As it happened there were kennels at CDG, and somebody did send us photos of the poor beasts in their kennel to prove they were at least still alive. I have since heard that the facilities for animals as Schipol are brand new state of the art and called a 'pet hotel'.

My dogs finally arrived Thursday evening. Unfortunately one of them had managed to knock off the water bowl that is attached to the crate door. The animals should be offered water whenever possible and a large bottle is attached to the top of the crate so there is always water available to offer, but nobody is allowed to open the crate door during transit. So, my dog had had no water since God knows when, and when we let her out she was in a bit of a poor state. She drank over a pint immediately and then the next time I offered her some about an hour later she drank the same amount again. She is still not well, I know it will take a few days for them both to adjust to time etc, but she is really not doing so well. She looks like she is suffering from an immense hang-over, drinks a bit, eats a bit, then vomits and back to sleep again. I feel dreadful for what I have put her through. (The other one is much better, but she did have water available in her bowl when we collected them)

If ever I have to move them again, I will insist on a specialist animal transport company and not one that is just part of a larger logistics organisation, and make a lot more fuss about knowing details at every minute of the procedure. Better yet, I may decide to avoid the intermediary company completely and only let them go at check-in for the flight, so they are out of my sight for the minimum of time! I will also stay well clear of Air France, as they clearly lied to me. I do not believe that the purser knew that a crate of cheese being kept at 5C could be mistaken for a pair of dogs at some rather warmer temperature.

I hope this is of use to those intending to transport animals long distance, and will prime you for the sort of questions to ask the companies.

I give my nervous dog rescue remedy when I know she is going to get stressed (going to the vets, for example) and it helps, but as she had been taken away from me, I could not give her any before all this ordeal.

Mummy in the foothills

Poor poor dogs, I hope she's feeling better soon. Have you had her checked at the vets? I think I would.

traceym

That is appalling, I hope the dogs are ok soon!

White-ishRose

I took them yesterday to start the heartworm treatments, the vet gave her a check, said to keep an eye on her and if she is no better in a few days to go back. Apparently all the necessary bits are ok - heart, temperature etc. She just needs to de-stress and re-hydrate properly.

Me too (but I have alcohol to help me!)

chartreuse

Glad she's OK and what a terrible story. You might ask the vet about giving her some pedialyte (an oral rehydration mix for babies) mixed 50/50 with water. We used it a couple of times when The Kitten was dehydrated, so I know it's OK for cats but I don't really know much about dogs.

scottandsel

OMG this is a story that every pet owner getting ready to have their pets flown does not want to read, your poor dogs and you guys must've aged bout 10 years overnight!!!

i really really hope your dogs better soon

N1cky

What a nightmare, hope your dogs recover quickly

Juswus

I can;t even imagine what you felt like going through all of that. So sorry to hear about that mess.

big smooches to your dogs and hope they both feel themselves soon

Englishtart

Wow! what a mess! Hope she is doing much better now, I agree with Charty, you could ask about the pedialite, i'm sure it should be ok to give your doggy

White-ishRose

thanks for all your good wishes. I've just taken her out for a walk, and the swish is definitely back in her tail! I think we're on the path to recovery.

Englishtart

Weeze

Oh my god. They bumped your dogs for a consigment of cheese?!? Was it emergency cheese? Was it on some form of cheese aid mission? SO glad they are okay now! Puts my lost luggage in perspective.

The doggy hotel at Amsterdam is supposidly a 4 star animal resort. No idea what that means, but it certainly costs enough. Think we were £120 for a night. He'd better get a champagne breakfast for that!

ian-mstm

I am so very sorry to hear of your ordeal - indeed, I'm stressed just thinking how I would feel if these were my dogs! Once you're more settled, I suggest you sue Interdean, STLC, and Air France - all for breach of contract. It's the American way. It may not do you any good, but could save the life of some poor animal in the future! Further, I would put together a carefully documented account of the incident and send it to your employers! They also need to know! Hmm... it probably wouldn't hurt to inform the local newspapers either - in both countries!

Ian

sarahlou145

OMG!! Im so sorry to hear your dogs had such a nasty experience coming over.
I must say this is the first incident I have read about where the transport across to the US hasn't gone according to plan. I would definitely look into sueing or reporting them and claiming back vets costs etc. I would have been a wreck if i was you, i was a wreck in the hour bit took me to get from the airport to sorting the customs paperwork to picking my two up, so having to wait overnight, i cant even begin to imagine how you felt - im just glad they are safe with you now.

Glad to hear she is feeling better and hopefully in a few more days she will be back to her normal self again

audio

Yes please,

What a nightmare, poor dog.
Unfortunately I have no alternative than to use AF to transport my dog to the US; it worries the hell out of me but I cannot find a suitable alternative.

I would suggest the following; it may help other owners including me in the future.

Contact the Newark A/F station manager informing him of your proposal to contact the ASPCA (US rspca). I complained once; the ASPCA bit really got the s/manager’s attention and AF made a full enquiry on the treatment of my dog.

Also contact AF customer service in London or Paris and ask for a case reference number.
I see you are a resident of France, you must know Que Choisir, a copy to them and to SPA (Fr. RSPCA) quoting the reference will make AF jump pretty high, and they will be concerned about losing their license for the carriage of animals. Very many French take their animals on flights; if the animals cannot travel the passengers will go elsewhere.
I hope you and your dog have now recovered from this ordeal.