I found it a great help when I flew Laddie over. He barked so much in the arrivals hall at Dulles, they rushed me through immigration in 5 minutes flat.

Poor little sod was hoarse for a week all that barking.

I used dry cat food. It isn't my cats favourite but it isn't messy in the cage .... or in your handbag!! Not much smell either!! I also bought bottled water to carry with me so that I had it handy before and after the flight. To be quite honest I don't think she ate anything. Don't forget to ask the flight attendants to let you know once you cats have boarded the plane. I was convinced they would forget to put her on!! Then of course I was convinced she wouldn't survive the journey .. and then I was convinced I wouldn't be able to find her at the airport!! None of these things happened and I had a very lively happy cat that was pleased to see everyone and finally get let out of her cage for a cuddle once we got home

Maggie!

I'm sure it'll be fine. Her cats were on American if that's any help. The notes do say that if they're from the same household it's fine to put them together but she did have probs with it. Just make sure both cats can lie down and sit down in it naturally and comfortably.

On my way out to Spain BA actually offloaded me on the first day. The manager was a git in a bad mood. My burmese was meowing like hell, well who wouldn't! The ripped the tag off and said "the cat's not flying". He gave no reason at all. I even asked if the RSPCA inspector who's on duty could come and have a look but was refused. I had to go home and come back the next day and it was all fine and BA were great.

Flying out to America with them was fine, though I was robbed at check in! The cats seemed to take the journey a lot better than me and were screaming to out within 18 hours.

Thanks for all the helpful advice everyone. My cats are getting their rabies jabs done this Friday - so there is hopefully enough time to check that the jabs are successful before we fly out on the 11th July (and no, they didn't tell me about testing them after when I called the vets to book the appointment).

I have decided to use Animal Airlines to sort out the flights for me since I can't take the cats onto my Continental flight - so I am going to let someone else do the work for me

Thanks again,
Josie

Just an update ....

Spoke to the vet yesterday who confirmed that she would want to do a follow-up blood test to check that 'Harry' had enough immunity for rabies. She said that the whole process was the pet passport scheme and told me not to worry - but to get the shots done soon so that she had enough time to do all the checks.

She also said that she would have a look at my existing plastic container to check whether it would be suitable for air travel.

So thanks again for all the advice.

Heather

We're moving over to Philadelphia in August and have just started the whole pet passport thing. One thing the vet mentioned to us on Saturday when the cat got her rabies vaccination was that she may need protection against heart worm when she is over in the US. I've checked the Pennsylvania Bureau of Animal Health & Diagnostic Services, but the only thing that mentions is rabies.

Will my cat need heart worm protection in the same way as standard gut worm protection whilst she is in the US?

Our vet in the UK mentioned this too. When we got here, I asked the new vet and they said it was mainly a problem for dogs but probably would advise protecting the cats too. Every month all we do is give them a heartworm tablet and they're good to go.

I think it's worth it for the peace of mind it gives me as there are tons of mosquitos here in the summer.

I've never heard of heartworm for cats, but I know it's common in dogs. I had to have my horse vaccinated against West Nile amongst other things. My vet did say that you should get dogs done too.

Update time ....

Today I booked our outbound flights and advised that we would be taking one cat with us as well. I was told that currently there is an embargo on airlines taking pets if travelling to hot climates. The embargo started this month and remains in force until the end of September. That means I have to leave my cat behind. I am so distressed.

I also phoned the 'Airpets' company and was told the same thing .. I would have to leave him with friends or in a cattery and they would ship him out in September - cost around £600.

Apparently American Airlines do not have the embargo currently in force ... but cannot guarantee that they will take an animal on the day, even if pre-booked.

So peep, be warned.

Thanks for the heads up on that. It never astounds me what people fail to mention to you when you try and do your research up front and then get hit with something like this out of nowhere!

We're moving out in August and I'm not sure if Pennsylvania or New York qualify as hot climates, but I'll be checking with Virgin today what the status is.

You would think that people could think outside the box wouldn't you, I mean if your flight was due to arrive at night, surely it wouldn't be as hot then would it???

Hi
I think this restriction only applies if your cat/dog is travelling unaccompanied. ie on their own as cargo. They don't like to keep the cargo waiting on the tarmac for long periods of time in extreme heat or cold. It goes by temperature on the day/night. I thought this too until I read it all over and over. I travelled in July and it was very hot but because my pet was travelling with me it wasn't a problem. Can you change your flight to one where your cat can travel with you. I booked my flights specifically around an airline that would do it for exactly this reason. I didn't have anyone to leave my cat with so leaving her wasn't an option for me. Hope it works out for you.

Maggie

I contacted Airpets again ... just to fully understand if ALL airlines have the embago. Apparently it only applies to 'hot' states like Arizona. I could fly into LA or Frisco with Harry .... then spend 15 hours driving down to Tucson (I think not).

However, Continental, who's policy is to use an agent for pet cargo .. have airconditioned pet cargo transfer trucks, and are prepared to ship animals to Arizona. God bless then ... BUT, during August they make daily decisions on taking the pets - all down to the weather forecast.

Airpets, were extremely helpful and suggested I give then a call at the end of July to see what Continental are doing.

I can't begin to tell you how relieved I am ... just a bit aghast at the cost ... wait for it ... £800. Oh, well, my 'kid' is worth it, and I could not have left him behind.

Apologies if I worried any of you.

Heather