Moving a cat from the UK to USA
Mar 14th 2012, 9:16 am
#46
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Mar 20th 2012, 5:45 am
#47
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Re: Moving a cat from the UK to USA
Before anyone tells me to go read the government websites etc. I have. It just confused me more.
Right, I'm living in the UK (always have, born here, British passport), husband lives in New Hampshire (NH) USA (always has, born there, US passport) and the plan is for me and my daughter to move there with our cat sometime next year, probably between the end of may and the middle of September if that matters (assuming our documents are all in order by then). We have someone over there who can look after the cat until I get there so that's not a problem but no-one here to do it once we leave so she needs to go before us or around the same time but not after. I'll be talking to the vet sometime soon about anything she needs to be able to travel outside her normal checks and immunisations which are all up to date but our vets are all small, local ones and may not know. I'd like to know ahead of time what we need to do so that we have plenty of time for any documents/quarantines/other such to be done and ready.
Anywho, what I want to know is how to go about getting my cat from here (Leeds, UK) to there (NH) - how long does it take to plan, does she need any documents/immunisations, what happens on the other end, does she have to go by cargo beforehand or can I take her on the plane when we go as a carry-on/hold luggage, if not can my mother in law collect her or does it have to be me, can anyone recommend an airline, is there anything I've missed?
I've seen that she can go from Manchester airport, which is good (also LeedsBradford and Liverpool are nearby if that's a possibility) but I CANNOT get to London. The nearest airports are probably going to be Boston(MA), New York and Manchester(NH but I don't know if they take UK flights or if it would mean 2 planes to get there) but any others nearby are also fine so we're open to suggestions.
I would rather take her with me as carry on if possible unless there is a better way to go about it since I've never moved a pet abroad before.
She's a moggy, mostly british shorthair with a bit of tabby so no breathing issues like with smushed-nosed pets, good health, fairly chilled when she's in her pet carrier.
Has anyone else moved a cat flying from in/around Yorkshire who can share experiences good and bad?
You guys all seem nice and helpful so please don't shout at me for asking stupid questions, I'm just looking for a push in the right direction because right now I'm just bewildered.
Right, I'm living in the UK (always have, born here, British passport), husband lives in New Hampshire (NH) USA (always has, born there, US passport) and the plan is for me and my daughter to move there with our cat sometime next year, probably between the end of may and the middle of September if that matters (assuming our documents are all in order by then). We have someone over there who can look after the cat until I get there so that's not a problem but no-one here to do it once we leave so she needs to go before us or around the same time but not after. I'll be talking to the vet sometime soon about anything she needs to be able to travel outside her normal checks and immunisations which are all up to date but our vets are all small, local ones and may not know. I'd like to know ahead of time what we need to do so that we have plenty of time for any documents/quarantines/other such to be done and ready.
Anywho, what I want to know is how to go about getting my cat from here (Leeds, UK) to there (NH) - how long does it take to plan, does she need any documents/immunisations, what happens on the other end, does she have to go by cargo beforehand or can I take her on the plane when we go as a carry-on/hold luggage, if not can my mother in law collect her or does it have to be me, can anyone recommend an airline, is there anything I've missed?
I've seen that she can go from Manchester airport, which is good (also LeedsBradford and Liverpool are nearby if that's a possibility) but I CANNOT get to London. The nearest airports are probably going to be Boston(MA), New York and Manchester(NH but I don't know if they take UK flights or if it would mean 2 planes to get there) but any others nearby are also fine so we're open to suggestions.
I would rather take her with me as carry on if possible unless there is a better way to go about it since I've never moved a pet abroad before.
She's a moggy, mostly british shorthair with a bit of tabby so no breathing issues like with smushed-nosed pets, good health, fairly chilled when she's in her pet carrier.
Has anyone else moved a cat flying from in/around Yorkshire who can share experiences good and bad?
You guys all seem nice and helpful so please don't shout at me for asking stupid questions, I'm just looking for a push in the right direction because right now I'm just bewildered.
As far as shots and certificates go - you do not need a pet passport as you do for European countries. Some US states require rabies injections others don't. Always a good idea to get it and have the certificate when picking up your cat. The last thing you want is to go through the cost and the stress for you cat of getting her to the US only to have her entry denied. We had to wait 3 weeks between the 2 rabies injections. You will also need a certification from your vet within days of your kitty traveling that she / he is "fit to fly". If you do use James Cargo, they will explain all requirements and type of carrier needed.
Best of luck and safe travels to you and your kitty.
Jill
Mar 20th 2012, 6:43 am
#48
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Re: Moving a cat from the UK to USA
Getting the train to Paris might not be such a bad idea, it's years since we've been to France 
Mar 20th 2012, 6:52 am
#49
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Re: Moving a cat from the UK to USA
Much cheaper too. Last time I checked with Air France it was only $100 - $150 to have the pet with you in the cabin. Sending the kitty out of the UK to Newark, NJ is approx GBP 480 - 500.
Mar 20th 2012, 6:57 am
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Mar 20th 2012, 7:01 am
#51
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Re: Moving a cat from the UK to USA
Ah. That's a bit of a git. 
Mar 20th 2012, 7:18 am
#52
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Re: Moving a cat from the UK to USA
are you doing cargo with continental from Manchester to Newark then? that could be an option for me as I live in the north and moving to the Philly area soon.
Mar 20th 2012, 7:21 am
#53
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Re: Moving a cat from the UK to USA
Try Delta or United if you would like to take your cat from the UK to the US in the cabin.
Mar 20th 2012, 9:16 am
#54
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Re: Moving a cat from the UK to USA
We usually fly KLM to Holland then Delta to Boston but some say cats can go and some say not in the cabin. Certainly going from Manchester is going on my list of likely options it's only about 40 minutes by train.
Maybe if I sedate Ozzy and dress her up, I could pretend she's my daughter's toy...
Maybe if I sedate Ozzy and dress her up, I could pretend she's my daughter's toy...
Mar 20th 2012, 9:19 am
#55
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Re: Moving a cat from the UK to USA
We usually fly KLM to Holland then Delta to Boston but some say cats can go and some say not in the cabin. Certainly going from Manchester is going on my list of likely options it's only about 40 minutes by train.
Maybe if I sedate Ozzy and dress her up, I could pretend she's my daughter's toy...
Maybe if I sedate Ozzy and dress her up, I could pretend she's my daughter's toy...
Mar 20th 2012, 9:41 am
#56
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Re: Moving a cat from the UK to USA
Couldn't imagine my cat fitting under a seat in economy to be honest. She is pretty huge, but even so the room under the seat is really small! They would have much more room in a proper carrier in cargo, plus all the advice I have ever read is that when the lights are dimmed in there, they relax a lot more. Can't see that happening in the cabin, on a daytime flight, full of other passengers, for 7-8 hours!
Mar 20th 2012, 8:47 pm
#57
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Re: Moving a cat from the UK to USA
Yes - taking the cat cargo from Manchester to Newark. I also live in Philly and for another GBP 50 - 60 they could send the cat from Newark to Philly. But I want to minimize her travel time and stress so I'm going to pick her up in Newark. This way she has no transfers at all, she gets on the plane in Manchester directly to Newark.
Mar 20th 2012, 10:51 pm
#58
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Re: Moving a cat from the UK to USA
That sounds like a good plan - although its now United, not Continental. I presume the cargo policy is still the same though.
Apr 15th 2012, 1:35 am
#59
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Re: Moving a cat from the UK to USA
I was reading on the Swiss Airlines page, I think they may allow pets in the cabin but I was only half paying attention as that wasn't what I was looking for -info on taking a flight when you're on crutches anyone?!
- so I'll try them again nearer the time but as before, the moggy can go before I do if that's going to be easier with the time restrictions because of temperature differences.
We have a more definite timescale now anyway. Visa permitting, we're going to try and time the visa application to be finished for around October next year (in so far as is possible with all their approximate timeframes and general awkwardness in not saying how long it takes).
On a happier note, I'll be visiting hubby again in mid-june and staying long enough to see my first 4th of July. At his uncle's cabin on the lake for grill(bbq) steak and fireworks like some kind of ridiculous stereotype.
- so I'll try them again nearer the time but as before, the moggy can go before I do if that's going to be easier with the time restrictions because of temperature differences.We have a more definite timescale now anyway. Visa permitting, we're going to try and time the visa application to be finished for around October next year (in so far as is possible with all their approximate timeframes and general awkwardness in not saying how long it takes).
On a happier note, I'll be visiting hubby again in mid-june and staying long enough to see my first 4th of July. At his uncle's cabin on the lake for grill(bbq) steak and fireworks like some kind of ridiculous stereotype.
Apr 15th 2012, 7:33 am
#60
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Re: Moving a cat from the UK to USA
When we returned to the US in Dec. 2011, we drove from Glasgow down to Manchester. We were flying Delta as we wanted to stay away from the cities on the East coast that are habitually colder - Delta had a direct flight from MAN to Atlanta. Delta did not allow cats in the cabin (we have 2). We used a third party company to fly the cats, as due to Delta's requirements for time between flights, our cats actually had to spend the night in Atlanta and then be flown to our final destination. I cannot, for the life of me remember the name of that company right now! Sorry bout that! I think if you give Delta a call (the UK number), they will be able to give you the name and number (as that's how I got the info).
But when we flew the cats from the US to the UK, we used Continental, and also flew into MAN. Due to DEFRA regulations, we had to use a pet importer on the UK side. They were called Pets on Jets, and I do believe they also do exporting. They seemed pretty good to me.
The cost, both ways, wasn't cheap. It cost us about $1700 to fly both cats to the US.
But when we flew the cats from the US to the UK, we used Continental, and also flew into MAN. Due to DEFRA regulations, we had to use a pet importer on the UK side. They were called Pets on Jets, and I do believe they also do exporting. They seemed pretty good to me.
The cost, both ways, wasn't cheap. It cost us about $1700 to fly both cats to the US.
