Relocating Dog-DIY or Company?
 

Hi!
We are relocating our dog from London to Chicago.
I have already paid a fortune for an attorney to sort out a visa for my partner-which ended up being pointless as they have been so slow and we could have done it ourselves!
So that being said-can anyone expand on the process of booking a flight and having the dog go in the hold as excess baggage?
I would rather save money now as I am getting frustrated and impatient!
Thank you for your help in advance!!!

Re: Relocating Dog-DIY or Company?
 

:welcome:

Bringing Pets : British Expat Wiki

This is a good starting point

Re: Relocating Dog-DIY or Company?
 

Thank you! I have been looking but as you know there is SO much info on this amazing site!

Re: Relocating Dog-DIY or Company?
 

We did it ourselves, but as our experience was 5 years ago a lot of it has probably changed.

Re: Relocating Dog-DIY or Company?
 

We brought our cat to Chicago last month. We used Pet Air UK, who were fantastic. We actually flew Aer Lingus Manchester via Dublin, but the cat flew LHR-ORD on BA. We picked him up the next day as Pet Air recommended we already by in the country in case there was a hold up at immigration. It was an extra £10 for him to stay overnight at their cattery. They sorted all the paperwork and the fitness to fly exam as part of their service.

Re: Relocating Dog-DIY or Company?
 

we did it ourselves from France 2 years ago. She travelled with us via Frankfurt on Lufthansa and was in the hold. All went well. Cost with Lufthansa was €350. Check with the airlines on their policy and costs.

I'm assuming the draconian rules regarding entry to the UK for pets aren't applicable when you are leaving but it is something to bear in mind.

Re: Relocating Dog-DIY or Company?
 

We flew our two dogs from the UK to Houston end of last year. I found it all very easy and straight forward and wouldn't hesitate to do it again if needed. First we bought air crates (they have to be to the right specification for the airline, I think it's IATA approved) I just ordered them online. We went a size up to make sure they had plenty of room to move around (it has to be at least big enough for them to stand turn around etc without touching sides/top).

Then got their rabies jabs done.

Next I called AA and added them both onto our booking as excess baggage.

Then a couple of days before we flew I took them to the vets and got their 'fit to fly' certificates done. I think the most it can be is a week before hand, but you'd have to check that.

Then finally, turned up at airport with said crates , rabies jabs proof, fit to fly certificates, oh and dogs and booked them in. The staff at the airport were amazing and incredibly helpful with helping me navigate them both around the airport through security etc.

I should probably mention, most people I believe get a pet passport done whilst in the UK before they move. It's not necessary for bringing them to the USA but if you were to move back to the UK it's needed. I didn't bother but it's something to consider. Anything help feel free to ask.

Oh and I can't remember the exact cost but I think for two dogs it cost us, all in around £700ish

Re: Relocating Dog-DIY or Company?
 

We did it ourselves, going from Germany to CA with 2 cats.

You need to check requirements on three fronts: 1) the airline, 2) federal pet import regs and 3) state pet import regs. This will determine exactly what vaccinations/treatments your pet needs, in what time-frame, and how they should be documented. It isn't usually complicated.

Make sure the airline gives you clear guidance about what kind of crate is suitable. Some carriers are labelled 'IATA approved', but IATA doesn't actually endorse any of them, and they may not be accepted by the airline.

If possible, get your dog microchipped and set up with an EU pet passport first. Even if you don't return to the UK, the passport is a useful document for recording all future vaccinations etc.

Try to find out what exactly the process will be when your pet arrives at the airport. It really varies. I wasn't very happy at LAX, where our cats were just left by the baggage carousel with a pile of other outsize luggage. Most other people have had to go to dedicated desks, or cargo facilities, to collect their pets. There may or may not be some kind of veterinary or customs inspection.

Re: Relocating Dog-DIY or Company?
 

these are the IATA regulations which the airlines seem to adhere to.
http://www.iata.org/whatwedo/cargo/l...ges/index.aspx

Once you have collected your pet (yes, usually outsize baggage) then you will clear customs with them and all your bags. At this point, the officer will check the animal for any signs of disease visible, check the vaccination certificates and I think the bill of health from the vet.

If you have a connecting flight, then you will still collect the dog like this when you collect your baggage and then take them to check in with the next flight.

This is where you need to watch out.....
We had 2 flights from France to Frankfurt then on to Houston where we clearing immigration and customs with the dog. Then we had another flight to Austin. All were booked with Lufthansa but the last bit was with United. Lufthansa told us that the fee we paid for the dog's transport was for the whole journey. However, I had heard differing stories so when we went to check her in for the last flight to Austin, I was not surprised to be told we had to pay separately for that and this last 45 minute flight cost us $450!!!

Re: Relocating Dog-DIY or Company?
 

Hi Jessyec,
The size of the dog makes a huge difference. I've got a Rottweiler and as a result she is too large to be excess baggage on most flights, especially AA who say she needs to go as Cargo. Going cargo with AA means that I have to use a specialist company as they will not send cargo for those that do not have a business relationship with them.
What dog have you got?

The route you are taking is pretty good as there are a number of airlines that fly that route, Virgin seem to be especially good for a large dog as they offer rates that are a lot more competitive than AA. Apparently AA charge based on the crate size, plus the required surrounding area for the pets safety where they could have stored items and charged for. Virgin however actually apply a large volume discount. For me this was a provide difference of £2,950 with AA and £1,570 with Virgin

Re: Relocating Dog-DIY or Company?
 

we used petairUK to bring our dog into Atlanta 3 weeks ago. Overall they cost about 200 GBP more than doing it solo but well worth it. Cant praise them highly enough

Re: Relocating Dog-DIY or Company?
 

Pet Air UK certainly seem to be the cheaper transport options. Not quite £200 more than doing it myself but then again, a dog the size we have does seem to change things

Re: Relocating Dog-DIY or Company?
 

I'm suprised you were allowed to fly your pet into ATL in the middle of August. I thought they had summer restrictions for pet safety

Re: Relocating Dog-DIY or Company?
 

Houston didn't (5 years ago) - seems it can be airline as well as airport specific.

Re: Relocating Dog-DIY or Company?
 

We also used Pet Air UK and were very happy with them. We used their cheaper option which meant we did the vets paperwork ourselves, it was pretty straightforward.