I missed the bit about it being to the UK. As you point out, it makes a huge difference. I do know the UK have just relaxed some requirements (more in line with EU) requirements but I don't know if the carrier and route restrictions have been relaxed any. I think it was just this year they have been relaxed, to the point of no rabies titre required (I could be mistaken).

Our vet (tanner lakes in Houston) has become somewhat of an expert because of all the expat animals he looks after. He doesn't even realize he's a specialist, yet gets calls from vets in FL about how to go about preparing animals for travel!

I have a sticky posted in the MBTTUK forum about it. It happened in January this year...the 6 months wait period between having the rabies shot/test has been reduced to 30 days.

New rules

http://www.defra.gov.uk/publications...-uk-120229.pdf

The routes have improved somewhat

http://www.defra.gov.uk/files/pets-air-routes.pdf

This thread is about transporting pets from the UK to the US...

This is true. Consider it a minor diversion and me suitably admonished

Yes as I suspected Thank you.

Well our cat Libby is finally ready (well she hasn't actually a clue what she is in for!) to head stateside.

One question, the company who are shipping our pet have only asked us for a health cert from our vet stating she's in good health, rabies free, chipped and wormed. We then drop her down to the airport and the next we'll see from her will be in San Fran. The vet however has said there is usually much more paper work in sending you pet abroad, including a per passport.

So at the minute I'm a little confused and its stress I could do without as we actually move on tues.

This is the site of the company http://www.kinternationalfreight.com/ They are a member of IPATA so surely they should know their stuff, right?!!

I've seen conflicting information, so I don't know which is right. If you want peace of mind you could try this, from the Defra website:

Pet Travel Scheme helpline
Email: [email protected] – Please enclose your postal address and a day time telephone number.

Telephone: +44 (0)870 241 1710 – Monday to Friday – 8am to 6pm UK time (closed Bank Holidays).

Calls can cost up to 7p per minute for BT users. Calls made using other service providers or mobiles may cost more. There is also a minicom/textphone number for the deaf and hard of hearing: 0845 300 1998

Fax: +44 (0) 1245 398299.

Postal address:

Ground Floor
Redwing House
Colchester Road
Hedgerows Business Park
Chelmsford
Essex
CM2 5PB

Correct only a vet letter stating kitty is well enough to fly is required, plus what ever the airline you are flying with requests as paperwork, that's it
Defra is not interested, kitty is leaving the UK not coming in.

How do I know!!
Virgin Atlantic Oct 1st LHR to San Fran a month ago

I did not use a pet carrier I did it myself it's easy

This is intresting as I have 3 Birds (Cockatiels)
thankyou for sharing guys

Well, we're flying in December on Lufthansa from Geneva (via Frankfurt) to Houston with two cats (flying in the cabin) and two dogs (in the hold) and the only thing anybody seems to be asking for is that the dogs be vaccinated for rabies at least 30 days prior to the flight - cats don't even seem to need that. This seems awfully minimal to me, but I can't find a trace of any other requirements.

This is correct cats are all set as long as they have been micro chipped and have a rabies cert, I thought the same thing rather weird, do check the state requirements they are all different for importing a pet....I called the USDA in Sacramento and SF airport customs to get my answers.

Just found this link I had kept it, it will help you http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_exp...portvets.shtml

Thanks - I checked that website out. They don't seem to demand anything but rabies for dogs - nothing for cats, no health certificates, etc. The cats have had their rabies vaccination too and everybody is microchipped, but I can't find a trace that they need anything else. As we'll be in transit in Frankfurt, I'm assuming we don't need to comply with any German regulations (though all the pets have their 'pet passports').

The only thing I noticed on the website you linked is they list vets for different states. A vet is mentioned in Houston - but do I need to contact her before the pets arrive or something??

Sorry to sound so clueless, but I've enquired with Swissair and Lufthansa here in Geneva and they don't seem to know anything. I'm afraid we'll show up at the airport (and we have to be there at 5 a.m.) and discover some certificate is missing.. and everybody will miss the flight!

If you're ping ponging between states with any stop overs, you need to follow the guide and requirements that those states have.

It would also be daft not having a rabies jab of some variety though even if the state doesn't require it.

The pet passport, it's worth sorting out though, if you plan on returning to the UK, but it's not needed to travel to the US.