Pets in Cargo Flying International to UK

We are relocating to the UK and have two small dogs that need to go with us.
They cannot go cabin when flying International.
I am terrified to have them fly in cargo. I worry of their stress and that they will get sick.
Please tell me your real thoughts on small dogs in cargo. It's from Houston or Dallas to Gatwick or Heathrow. IS IT SAFE? There are not too many complaints, but then again, not everyone complains.
Thanks,
Jen

Jen,

Have you spoken to your vet? I believe they can be given some kind of sedative to calm them down.

Contact the airline and see maybe you will be able to have them on board with you guys.

My current dog came from Europe and she on board not in cargo.

I would think cargo can be safe however confirm with your vet and or airline.

Hope this helps.

Jennifer in Parker, Colorado said: We are relocating to the UK and have two small dogs that need to go with us.
They cannot go cabin when flying International.
I am terrified to have them fly in cargo. I worry of their stress and that they will get sick.
Please tell me your real thoughts on small dogs in cargo. It's from Houston or Dallas to Gatwick or Heathrow. IS IT SAFE? There are not too many complaints, but then again, not everyone complains.
Thanks,
Jen

FLY DELTA! Your small animal can fly inside. As well, on Air France and Continental.
If you have to do a connecting flight then do it.
Pets die in cargo the airline is not responsible.
When I was a flight attendant, I witness a dog jumping out of the cargo hold at Phoenix airport. The dog ran all around the runways will the owner looked out the window in horror.
I have no idea what the end result was with that dog....
But, I will never check my dog in cargo.
If you love your animal, fly them inside the plane!!!!!!!
British Airways is the only air carrier that I know of that makes small animals fly as cargo.

Yes, your animal can go inside the plane on international flights. I have flown to London, Paris, Venice with my dog..
inside the plane.
Is it SAFE? Well, are you willing to risk the life of your dog... and have the airline say you signed a wavier saying death is possible?
Fly the dog in the cabin. Seriously.

Please don't fly your dog in the cargo.
Its very cruel... and the noise level will make them deaf.

Change your air tickets and fly on an airline that will allow the animal to fly in the cabin.
If the airline will not change you tickets... have your vet write a letter stating that the dog cannot fly in the cargo... and that it is a therapy animal....
Therapy animals can fly in cabin without fee.
You need the animal with you to fly. Ok.. there is your answer..
get a letter from your doctor stating you need the animal with you to fly.
The dog is a therapy animal..
Notify the airline that you will be flying with a therapy animal.
Federal Law in America prohibits airlines from denying incabin travel to thrapy animals. Look up the
Americans with Disibilies Act.

Jen,

Before yo put them in cargo check with most airlines and see which ones allow the dog with you on board.

Try to get the dog on board with you.

Also, try a animal airline service. They specialize in transporting animals.

They you go...not one person said to put them in cargo. Please... save that little one...

Does anyone know about cats? I have three!!! I'm so worried. I know that I can get them sedated, but are the rules the same with cats as with dogs? can you have only one small animal per person?

Sarah in Los Angeles, California said: Does anyone know about cats? I have three!!! I'm so worried. I know that I can get them sedated, but are the rules the same with cats as with dogs? can you have only one small animal per person?

Never mind!! I looked into it. ugh...what an ordeal that is going to be

No kidding. I've even considered a pet travel agent..but it's sooo expensive. No sedating, or at least I wouldn't. I have a friend who took her cats from Florida to Washington for a relocation and although they made it just fine, she wouldn't do it again. With the UK there are so many other risks, such as the microchip being unreadable, or wrong paperwork. I am still not comfy allowing mine in cargo. I hear it's pressurized and warm and I've heard the opposite so I don't know who to trust!
My babies are my babies, but my husband is my husband.

Jennifer in Parker, Colorado said: No kidding. I've even considered a pet travel agent..but it's sooo expensive. No sedating, or at least I wouldn't. I have a friend who took her cats from Florida to Washington for a relocation and although they made it just fine, she wouldn't do it again. With the UK there are so many other risks, such as the microchip being unreadable, or wrong paperwork. I am still not comfy allowing mine in cargo. I hear it's pressurized and warm and I've heard the opposite so I don't know who to trust!
My babies are my babies, but my husband is my husband.

I would take them on the plane with me. have one cat per person. my understanding is that only two animals can be on the plane at one time, so two of us would have to go on one flight and one on another. I think I would have to sedate my smallest cat because she meows sooo loud and non stop when she is in the carrier! I couldn't put the rest of the plane through that. One of my cats is 22 lbs!! I don't know that I could put him in a carrier that would fit under the seat in front of me! I wonder if I can give a buddy pass to my cat and have him sit in his carrier in the seat next to me?!!! LOL!!! This is going to be a lot to figure out....*sigh*

by the way, I'm not going international with them. I'm going from Los Angeles to Virginia.

That is MUCH better just staying in the US. I will let you know what my friend tells me about when she flew her cats across the country, OK?
I think we, as owners, are more freaked out than we need to be. You can also get these liners for insulation if you are worried about being cold. And, make early reservations because they only allow a certain number of babies in cabin, but you probably know that by now. Three cats?? LOL!
You must be a great mommy.
My email address is jnnydss@aol.com, if you want to stay in touch and I can tell you about my friend's cat journey.
Jen

I have flown with two cats from MD to CA and from CA to Paris, France. Check the airline's web site to see how many animals are allowed onboard for each flight. I flew AA and they only allow 2 animals per flight for the entire plane. So one cat, Diablo was with me on the plane and Mufasa rode in cargo. I think I paid $75 for Mufasa and $25 extra for Diablo. I didn't sedate them and they were fine. Air France and Continental have special compartments for pets. They flew Continental going to France and Air France back. They were fine, not sedated and happy to be in Paris! I wouldn't recommend sedating them because you just don't know what could happen.

Thank you both so much!! That's a big help. I really want all of them in the cabin, I would just feel better. Like I said, I'll spread my babies around to my husband, my mom and myself and we'll probably have to take two different flights because of the pet limit on each flight. I won't sedate Zoey and Emily, but Snippit I think I'll have to because she flips out and won't stop meowing very loudly!! I'll make sure that she is with me so I can keep a close eye on her the whole time. And thanks Jennifer, I'd love to keep in contact and get the scoop on what your friend did with her cats... And yes, Three!! I'm just one cat away from being a "crazy cat lady", so three is my limit :) Thanks again!!

You need 18 cats to be a crazy cat lady. I have two, know how to sew and I will start a knitting class next month. Woo hoo!! Spinsterhood here I come!!

I am moving with my three cats and one dog from CO to the UK in early April - all by myself! The move would be terribly exciting if I weren't so worried about moving the pets (my two horses are also coming, but a month later). Unfortunately, I have no choice but to ship them as cargo. My dog is a 65 pound greyhound and there are too many cats. I am shipping them with British Airways, as it seems they have the best reputation (along with, perhaps, Lufthansa and KLM) for transporting pets. And, for $3700, I expect each of them to be not only alive and well, but wearing gold collars! I've talked with a lot of people who have shipped their pets as cargo with no problems - and I don't have any other options anyway. So THANK YOU VERY MUCH to those of you who have implied - or outright stated - that those who love their pets won't let them fly as cargo! If I didn't love my pets, I wouldn't be going to all the trouble and expense of taking them with me.
I have heard from all sources, though, that pets should NOT be sedated for airline travel, due, I suppose, to the air pressure issues.

Pet services are one source, they fly pets all over. Have you gotten any prices from them?

Try these websites if you already didn't book a commerical airlines.
flypets.com
preciouspetstransportservices.com
animaltransport.com

Please check them out. Heard too many stories about pets dying or getting lost at a terminal.

I came on strong because I wanted to be sure you 'did' look into all your options.
I don't even know you ... and I have worried about your animals. I want nothing but the best situation for you... and your animals... because I know that you love them... or you would not have posted a question on how is the best way to handle this dilemma.
Since you have taken the time to look into everything... I believe you have found the best way to relocate your four legged friends. Best of luck... =)

Jennifer in Parker, Colorado said: We are relocating to the UK and have two small dogs that need to go with us.
They cannot go cabin when flying International.
I am terrified to have them fly in cargo. I worry of their stress and that they will get sick.
Please tell me your real thoughts on small dogs in cargo. It's from Houston or Dallas to Gatwick or Heathrow. IS IT SAFE? There are not too many complaints, but then again, not everyone complains.
Thanks,
Jen

I agree with Malti. DO NOT fly your pets in cargo. I am a former airline customer service employee, and my husband is a mainline pilot. Don't do it. Find another way.

Please, to the nice person that just posted that you are a customer service agent and your hubby is a pilot, would you mind corresponding with me via my email? I am at Jnnydss at aol.com.
I really need to chat. This ordeal is just awful...and I love my babies so much, it's a lose lose situation.
Jen

malti in HHI, South Carolina said: I came on strong because I wanted to be sure you 'did' look into all your options.
I don't even know you ... and I have worried about your animals. I want nothing but the best situation for you... and your animals... because I know that you love them... or you would not have posted a question on how is the best way to handle this dilemma.
Since you have taken the time to look into everything... I believe you have found the best way to relocate your four legged friends. Best of luck... =)

_____
I have to fly to UK also, and all the web sites for Airlines and speaking to special services say they have to go into cargo. That includes British Airways, Virgin, and Lutf.

Is there any carrier that allows my 3 pound service dog ( mental health) companion in the cabin with me.

HELP,

chihlov in Long Beach, California said: _____
I have to fly to UK also, and all the web sites for Airlines and speaking to special services say they have to go into cargo. That includes British Airways, Virgin, and Lutf.

Is there any carrier that allows my 3 pound service dog ( mental health) companion in the cabin with me.

HELP,

I think Delta does. check the web site, but I think that service dogs of any size are alowed in the cabin.

chihlov in Long Beach, California said: _____
I have to fly to UK also, and all the web sites for Airlines and speaking to special services say they have to go into cargo. That includes British Airways, Virgin, and Lutf.

Is there any carrier that allows my 3 pound service dog ( mental health) companion in the cabin with me.

HELP,

ALL airlines have to ALLOW service, or therapy animals in cabin. USA Federal Law. Handlers are 'not required' by federal law to provide any info about their disability..under the federal ADA or US FAA & DOT.
Customer Aviation Protection Division 14CFR part 382.
For more info try contacting the Dept. of Justice at 800-514-0131 or DOT at 202-366-5960

Research: Americans with Disabilities Act.

airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/rules/20030509.pdf

www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm

(It's an act of perjury punishable by Federal Law if you state an animal is a 'service animal' when it is not.)

Therapy animals can be any animal that is providing a service, and would be allowed in-cabin travel..provided there is a letter from your doctor stating you are being treated for 'xyz' and the animal is part of 'xyz'

Delta allows small animals in cabin.
Air France, Continental also. I have flown many times to Europe and have no problem with my dogs allowed in cabin. None of which are service or therapy animals.

British Airways did not allow my dogs in cabin...
I cancelled my reservation with them because I was NOT going to check my children in the cargo hold. Delta is very accommodating with small animals... You'll need proper vet certification for the country you are visiting. There's a website for this where you can download the proper doc's to have your vet fill out.
You CAN get to Europe without checking your BABY as cargo...Just have to do your homework... I personally will not sign a wavier.. saying an airline is not responsible if my pet dies. WTF!

RJ: any input would be great! =)

airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/rules/20030509.pdf

READ on the second page at the bottom.
There you will find the info you are looking for.

malti,
Yes I have all the paper work completed for the PETS program.
But the UK has certain requirements. I am currently working with DEFRA in UK to try to resolve this.

The US domestic flights are no problem. It is getting into the UK.

I will look into some other airlines.
I appreciate all your help

Even if I used pet transport services, which are really just "middle men" anyway and charge rather substantial sums for things I am capable of doing myself, but the pets would still have to fly in cargo on commercial airliners. I don't see the difference. If there are any, please advise.
Thanks!

From my extensive research, I have found that the only way a pet can enter the UK, unless it is a therapy dog, they MUST fly cargo due to the DEFRA Travel Pet Scheme stuff. UK has their own rules. I checked into pet travel agents and for two, it was around $4k which is crazy, because if you have a great vet and are organized, you can do it yourself. One thing the pet agent can do though is ease your mind when you have to surrender your dog at the airport. From what I can tell, they stay with them until they are in the cargo hold. I am having the most difficult time with this. It's between living in London with my husband while he works there for a year, or putting my dogs through an EVIL experience, not to mention they could freeze. I don't care if people say it's climate controlled, I have a hard time believing that. I freeze on planes...I wear gloves, use a blanket and have fleece coat on. Somany flight attendants have warned us against letting them fly cargo...now, there is something to be said for that. Pets are not disposable.
Jen

Jennifer in Parker, Colorado said: From my extensive research, I have found that the only way a pet can enter the UK, unless it is a therapy dog, they MUST fly cargo due to the DEFRA Travel Pet Scheme stuff. UK has their own rules. I checked into pet travel agents and for two, it was around $4k which is crazy, because if you have a great vet and are organized, you can do it yourself. One thing the pet agent can do though is ease your mind when you have to surrender your dog at the airport. From what I can tell, they stay with them until they are in the cargo hold. I am having the most difficult time with this. It's between living in London with my husband while he works there for a year, or putting my dogs through an EVIL experience, not to mention they could freeze. I don't care if people say it's climate controlled, I have a hard time believing that. I freeze on planes...I wear gloves, use a blanket and have fleece coat on. Somany flight attendants have warned us against letting them fly cargo...now, there is something to be said for that. Pets are not disposable.
Jen

Jen,
I was just going to post this very information! DEFRA rules state that pets have to fly on an approved route and on an approved carrier, and must be on the cargo manifest. So, for my situation, my pets HAVE to fly British Airways from Denver to Heathrow and must be in cargo. They have a very good reputation for flying pets and are known to take special care of them. Sure, there are ALWAYS exceptions (I just have to hope mine are not in this group!), but I think most people tend to dwell on those rare cases. My job entails coming into regular contact with the military community, and those that have shipped pets overseas have never had any trouble.

The bottom line for me, I suppose, is that I can't keep living my entire life afraid to accept opportunities that might require a temporary upheaval just because I'm afraid for my animals. You can only do so much to insure their well-being, but you obviously can't protect them from everything. I just have to hope that they are resilient enough to survive the journey and its aftermath (and that the airline doesn't screw up) and, if so, I believe they will love England as I do! It is a frightening gamble, but I feel this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I've got to give it a go.

Sarah,
Good luck with this opportunity. I feel the same way. What kind of animals do you have? I live in Parker, which is near Colorado Springs. Where will you be living in England? I do think the dogs will settle donw after a brief freak out, then probably and hopefully sleep. It is to bad that my dogs cannot fly in the same crate...that would really help.
When are you flying? I am not going until Octobver due to the PET stuff.
We tried getting on the Queen Mary 2 but they were booked for animals.
Jen

What kind of dogs do you both have? It's obvious that you both love your "babies" as much as I love mine. And FYI, I HAVE flown them before despite the concerns that I've voiced here. It's just that I became an airline employee AFTER I flew them, and probably saw too much. That being said, however, there are always airline employees (such as myself and my husband) who will go out of their way to ensure the safety of pets. And here's a big plus - if your flight is only one leg, there is a much smaller chance that anything will happen, since they will be loaded at home and the next time they come off the plane they will be at their final destination. Also, winter is a better time to fly them - you can always stuff lots of blankets in their crates with them if they DO have to go in cargo. All that being said, if your babies are small, just take an airline that will let them go in the cabin with you.

Oh no, mine are tiny. A chihuahua that is 6 ls and Ratshi Terrier that is 12. Cabin isn't an option unless they go as my therapy dogs, and I am disabled, but I have two dogs, so can two be therapy?
Jen

Me again. I am thinking about having my dogs become therapy dogs. I am disabled, so it's doable, I'd think. They would qualify as therapy dogs, not service or guide dogs. Does anyone know if they are still allowed on British Airways or Continental, in cabin, as therapy dogs? I can get a letter from my dr and maybe the psychiatrist thaht I've been to once.
Thanks,
Jennifer

Jennifer in Parker, Colorado said: We are relocating to the UK and have two small dogs that need to go with us.
They cannot go cabin when flying International.
I am terrified to have them fly in cargo. I worry of their stress and that they will get sick.
Please tell me your real thoughts on small dogs in cargo. It's from Houston or Dallas to Gatwick or Heathrow. IS IT SAFE? There are not too many complaints, but then again, not everyone complains.
Thanks,
Jen

I personally would never put my dog in cargo, especially if there were a change of plane involved. When we returned from an overseas posting a few years ago, one of the other employees had his 2 Siamese cats end up sitting in a cage on a tarmac in Amsterdam for a whole day--in the summer heat!! They did make it in the end, but it's such a crap-shoot, I would never risk it.

Jennifer in Parker, Colorado said: Oh no, mine are tiny. A chihuahua that is 6 ls and Ratshi Terrier that is 12. Cabin isn't an option unless they go as my therapy dogs, and I am disabled, but I have two dogs, so can two be therapy?
Jen

Jennifer - Now that I know what kind of dogs you have, why can't you put them in an airline-approved carrier and take them in the cabin with you? Delta will allow this.

Because going into the UK, dogs no matter what size, unless they are service dogs, are not allowed, period, in cabin. There are only a few routes that use the Pet Travel Scheme so the airlines you can use to travel with a dog are limited as well. If I don't use British or Continental, my dogs would have to go into six month quarantine. It is difficult getting to UK, different rules totally.

Then it sounds like you may have to go the therapy dog route. But your little guys shouldn't have any problem passing the test - you've got plenty of time to refresh their obedience skills. :)

more problems, therapy dogs cannot go on british airways. I just checked. Such a pain in the >>>>. Guide and service dogs can though. If I wanted to pursue service dogs I have to prove they help me with a certain function. I'd have to say they are psychiatric dogs. Wish me luck, Max the Chihuahua is a licky monstor, always has been....so cute!

hi i just moved here from usa. my fiancee still is in usa with my two cats. problem is he is moving here in 4 months and my cats are getting chipped and blood test nexy week. its mean that they gonna have to go for quarantine in uk at least until 6 months time is gone frome blood work.
what is the best way to ship them. pet movers quoted me $2000 for cargo shipment and they would take care of all my papper work. where can i find good quarantine kennel for them???

To get into the UK... fly to Italy..
VCE. Then take the Euro-star train to Rome. Then TrentItalia train to Paris. Then Euro-star to Paris to London.
I did it with my dog...and my 10 year old child in 2005. It was fun. No one said a word about the dog... she was in a carry bag.. I didn't bring attention to her.. therefore no one noticed her.

chihlov in Long Beach, California said: _____
I have to fly to UK also, and all the web sites for Airlines and speaking to special services say they have to go into cargo. That includes British Airways, Virgin, and Lutf.

Is there any carrier that allows my 3 pound service dog ( mental health) companion in the cabin with me.

HELP,

Service dogs are allowed to travel in the cabin to the UK so long as your flight is no longer than 10 hours in length (i.e., maybe a flight from San Diego to London might be pushing it, but from Boston to London piece of cake).

Now, the fact that your service dog is for a mental health "disability" you will more than likely need to provide documentation from your mental health provider stating that your dog is not a pet but a medical "tool/instrument" that facilitates your daily functioning. Along with that documentation I'm sure you've already jumped through hoops of fire getting all the other documentation together for the Pet Passport/UK admittance process.

And regarding pottying your dog on LOOOOOONG flights, Pee Pee Pad train your dog. So that when you're on flight and notice her fidgeting around to potty, take her to the restroom with the pad, put it on the ground and let her go. Roll it up and throw it away afterwards. (Obviously going to work for small dogs like yours, and not a 90lb lab.)

Good luck & happy travels.

~Bev

Jennifer in Parker, Colorado said: more problems, therapy dogs cannot go on british airways. I just checked. Such a pain in the >>>>. Guide and service dogs can though. If I wanted to pursue service dogs I have to prove they help me with a certain function. I'd have to say they are psychiatric dogs. Wish me luck, Max the Chihuahua is a licky monstor, always has been....so cute!

Be prepared to show documentation from your mental health professional stating that your dog is medically necessary for you daily function in life and not a pet. The airlines can request this of "psychiatric" service animals (emotional support animals). Don't want you to get caught out!

~Bev

My Parents dogs have flown between London & California as cargo 8 times. They have 3 Italian Greyhounds & a Pomeranian. British Airways is the best airline for shipping dogs. They really do take care of them & the Pilot is made aware of any livestock in the hold so that the hold can be kept at a comfortable temperature. If transferring in London, Heathrow has an Animal Reception Center with highly trained staff, they come & collect the animal off the plane & take it to the center where they feed it, check it over & let it run around in an individual dog run at the center ... They are extremely strict when it comes to regulations regarding the animals welfare - which for animal owners is surely good. My Mom has also travelled alone with the Pomeranian onboard Air France. If you have small pets [think less than 13lbs] Air France allow them onboard & the crew are usually really good with them. From Paris [CDG] you can hire a car, drive to Calais, board the Eurotunnel & 35mins later you're in the U.K - then drive to your final destination. Very straightforward as long as all your documentation / chips in order. Returning the hire car to France is a pain in the ass but it's an easy enough journey to make.

Forgot to say, BA don't allow any animals onboard at all irrespective of some U.S law [see above?] & to get into the U.K they must have flown B.A World Cargo or Virgin. The 1st few times my Parents vet had the animals lightly sedated [N.B - Very Lightly Sedated!] ... Ensure the containers are very large so the dogs can lie down with their feet in front of them & include blankets/pillows from home & of course the regulations stipulate they must have a water bowl. To the lady questioning her animals on B.A - they'll be perfectly fine. B.A handle millions of animals each day without any problems. Good luck &

American Airlines is now sanctioned to fly pets/service dogs in/out of the UK as of Jan 24, 2008 (please see their website). But they still have to follow the 10 hours maximum in flight time for the service dogs in cabin.

Bev,
I cannot find this info on their site. Can you help me find it?
Thanks,
Jen

Ok, pets can't go into the cabin if you're travelling into the UK. France is different as quarantine doesn't apply.

PLEASE don't sedate dogs if you can help it. Sedating a cat flying will kill it. No responsible vet will sedate a cat. I flew my cats from England to Spain, to France and to the US. They were much happier in the hold. It's quiet, dark and the same temp as the passenger cabin. BA is very strict with pet travel. Remember that your pet has to be able to lie down, stand up and turn around. Buy a special container to their exact dimensions otherwise they'll deny boarding.

Malti you've got to be kidding me! You actually suggest to people that they break the law and smuggle a dog into the UK via other EU countries??? As an animal lover I'm stunned that you would risk that with a loved pet. What about the fine, imprisonment or both not to mention your pet being taken from you and put into quarantine for six months. That's totally irresponsible. The UK is rabies free because of strict laws. I hope anyone reading this totally disregards your stupid recommendation.

Jennifer in Parker, Colorado said: Bev,
I cannot find this info on their site. Can you help me find it?
Thanks,
Jen

Sure can! Go to this link www.aa.com/aa/i18nForward.do?p=/travelInformation/specialAssistance/serviceAnimals.jsp and it's towards the bottom. Here is a snippet:

Service Animals Traveling To The United Kingdom
Effective January 24, 2008, American Airlines is approved to carry service animal cats or dogs to the U.K. A disabled passenger must obtain and present a pre-approval letter issued from the animal reception center in the passenger's destination city. The passenger must also possess the original health documentation used to obtain the pre-approval letter. For pre-approval requirements go to: www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine*

Passengers may also call the following Animal Reception Centers:
London Gatwick (LGW) (011) 44 129 346 2180
London Heathrow (LHR) (011) 44 208 745 7894

If service animals are disruptive or too large to fit under the seat or at the passenger's feet without encroaching on another passenger's space or protruding into the aisle, it will need to travel in a kennel (provided by the passenger) in the cargo hold. The kennel must meet IATA kennel and size requirements for the animal. Temperature restrictions apply to ensure the safety of the animal.

For information regarding working dogs, please see our Traveling With Pets page.

~Bev