Migrating to the US - Dog Dilemma

[Beau]

Hey guys,

I've recently become a US resident and will be looking at the possibility of moving over there. However I have one main concern and that is my 22 months old Akita, and getting her accross to the US from the UK.

These are the options I've considered so far.

Aeroplane - She'll go in a cage and go through with cargo on British airways. Problem is she has never been in a cage, let alone ever away from us. She is very attached to everyone in the family, and we never really leave her alone. Secondly, I know she'll go through trauma being alone for more than 10 hours away from us, stuck in a cage in the cargo of a plane. They don't sedate them or anything due to health risks, just spray something to calm them down. Thirdly there have been cases where the pressure difference inside the cabin has damaged there ear drums inside the plane. And in rare occasions some dogs have injured them self trying to escape the cage due to the amount of trauma they go through. I really don't want to put her through that.

-Cruise ship - wont be possible as she weighs a good 45KG and the only cruise that takes dogs is the queen marry 2, with a 20kg weight restriction.

-This leaves me with a final option of a cargo ship. I haven't done enough research on this yet, but am considering it a plausible option.

Anyway has anyone experienced moving there pets abroad, or has anyone got any ideas of how I can get her across to the US safely. I'm sure there is a better way than a plane, I just need to think outside of the box!

Any help or thoughts will be highly appreciated!

 

[Beau]

 

[Doodle]

Have you spoken to Cunard? Their website shows the following, which would initially suggest that it would be possible (assuming an average size Akita)

There are six of each type of kennel:
Small upper kennels are (L x W x H) - 30" x 35.5" x 27". A weight restriction of 25lbs or less applies.
Large lower kennels are (L x W x H) - 30" x 35.5" x 36". A weight restriction of 26lbs or more applies.
Two kennels can be opened up to form a larger kennel though passengers will be charged for the two kennels.

If the dog is "small for their breed", Cunard kennels need to have exact measurements to ensure the dog will fit. The dog from the head to the floor and hind quarters must be less than 36" high and less than 60" long.

 

[Shayne]

I would speak to a vet it seems to me 10 hours of confusion on a plane would be less traumatic and quicker forgotten . Perhaps the vet can provide sedatives or something and may suggest an airline used by zoo's and the like that perhaps have better facilities for animals .

 

[Bodhi]

If you are going to fly her I would get her used to being in a crate now, so she gets used to it, dogs are very adaptable

 

[froggy Steve]

Agreed, get a crate and get her used to it - treats in there, dinner in it, sleep etc. Also agreed 10hr flight will be forgot very quickly, esp if you are there to meet her. Also mild sedating will help. Mind you, I wont take a long ferry back to UK if I have a pooch with me, I would rather drive another 5 hrs and get the tunnel

Steve

PS Lovely dog btw

 

[jonnyboy54321]

I'll speak to my mate for you? He works for BA specifically in this field - travels all over the world at times. He was in Amsterdam regarding some Ducks the other day (seriously!!!!).
Can I have your car if I sort it out for you?

 

[froggy Steve]

I'll speak to my mate for you? He works for BA specifically in this field - travels all over the world at times. He was in Amsterdam regarding some Ducks the other day (seriously!!!!).
Can I have your car if I sort it out for you?

Great!

Actually, might be worth checking if the Akita is a dog that needs a special permit into usa being a fighting dog and all?

Steve

 

[Beau]

I'll speak to my mate for you? He works for BA specifically in this field - travels all over the world at times. He was in Amsterdam regarding some Ducks the other day (seriously!!!!).
Can I have your car if I sort it out for you?

I would really appreciate that mate, let me know how it goes....

And I'll be tacking my cruiser with me hopefully, I will have a 350z and Golf for sale though

And she's not a banned or restricted dog so she'll be fine going to the US, she wouldn't get quarantined either.

Sedating of any form isn't recommended as it lowers the heart rate and risk having heart attacks and other problems. I would rather not take that chance with her.

 

[Beau]

And if it comes down to her having to go in cargo and a cage then yeah, I'll have to let her get used to it prior.

I was hoping there was a way I could travel on board next to her so she wouldn't be so scared and traumatised but that doesn't seem possible due to her size.

 

[Gary Stockton]

We've Moved dogs from Johannesburg to Cape Town and from Cape Town to Edinburgh by air in crates without any issues - a little doggie Valium does wonders. Works on the dogs too

Biggest issues really was the 6 months quarantine here which stressed them out completely - you go visit and then leave them

I assume no quarantine there - if at all possible get a family member there ahead of time to meet the woofer at the goods terminal and get them into your car and back home to some of 'their' stuff that smells familiar.

I wouldn't go for a long sea voyage - the 10 - 12 hours flight isn't that big a deal - dogs are incredibly resilient ...

Good luck - just don't leave that member of your family behind!!

 

[Beau]

Most dogs may be resilient, and I am fairly certain that she'll be fine with the plane travel. I just know she'll be traumatised throughout the experience and if there's another alternative no matter the cost, or length of time I would rather that.

There's no way I'm leaving her behind, if she can't go I aint going

 

[wobbly]

I'd be more worried about the 'cruiser - think you'll find it cant be imported due to age

 

[Shayne]

Times the key Beau short lived trauma is quickly forgotten the excitement of seeing you again and the curiosity of her new surroundings will put the trip from her mind almost instantly . The longer the separation the harder she will find it to trust again .

 

[Beau]

Times the key Beau short lived trauma is quickly forgotten the excitement of seeing you again and the curiosity of her new surroundings will put the trip from her mind almost instantly . The longer the separation the harder she will find it to trust again .

I understand that, hence why I am looking for a option where there is no separation at all.

And I'm allowed one car for a year there before registering it fully as I'm immigrating. After the year, it will be difficult to register her but there are "loop holes".

 

[Shayne]

Don't forget dogs need to sleep too ! pay a mate to keep her up all night and she would sleep most of the flight .

 

[Lorin]

With a proper program of socialisation and graded exposure to being in a cage, being alone and to the noise of an aeroplane (which you can get on CD for exactly this purpose), you could ensure your dog experiences no trauma at all, either in the process or on the plane. All are easily achievable with little more than some time and effort, and your dog is young enough that she would adapt quickly. I would recommend speaking to an animal behaviourist and getting some advice on how to do this.

 

[stumog]

beau
we looked into this when i got offered a job in Canada. You have to get them a pasport which is easy but takes about 3 months i think. then you have to find a transport company. the closest 1 to us was a boarding kennel that you took the dog to 3 days before the flight and they then get the dog used to being away from you and in the kennel so that its not to upset on the flight. it does cost a small fortune but i am sure your dog is worth it.

How long are you going for?

If you need a cage to use i have one you can borrow if you are passing bristol. its plenty big enough for your dog. i will see if i can find the website for the company we were going to use so you can give them a ring and chat so you get a picture of what you need to do.

stu

 

[jonnyboy54321]

morning Beau

This is what my mate responded back, remember he does this for a living, also is a dog owner!!

Some notes if helpful below
Flying is quickest but can be a little traumatic, we ship in excess of about 50-60 animals a week round the world and have very little issue as long as they are healthy, the issue I think they have here would be getting her into a kennel box firstly, if they can get over that, it’s the best way as the shippers we use are top notch and really helpful/friendly, they are sealed in and checked by the vet/shipper at LHR and then go straight to the aircraft so no waiting around and then first off at the other end and delivered on their own to the clearance centres to be checked and cleared.
By sea is less traumatic by very long as they still cant really come out of kennels due to health restrictions, dunno if there are many cargo shippers of domestic pets and again that is long and lonely if none of the family are on board
Hope it helps
If you need names of shippers to talk to then these are the best that we use and have all the knowledege
James Cargo
Airpets LHR

 

[jonnyboy54321]

further info responding to your initial wording:-


Aeroplane - She'll go in a cage and go through with cargo on British airways. Problem is she has never been in a cage, let alone ever away from us. She is very attached to everyone in the family, and we never really leave her alone. Secondly, I know she'll go through trauma being alone for more than 10 hours away from us, stuck in a cage in the cargo of a plane. They don't sedate them or anything due to health risks, just spray something to calm them down. Thirdly there have been cases where the pressure difference inside the cabin has damaged there ear drums inside the plane. And in rare occasions some dogs have injured them self trying to escape the cage due to the amount of trauma they go through. I really don't want to put her through that. Most boxes aren’t all round cages they can be purpose built plastic boxes with caged vents so less ‘fierce’ looking
Cant sedate them as if you do that they don’t tend to drink on the journey and dehydrate badly
Very rare that the ear drums get damaged, same pressure as you or me flying so ears do get to pop, only will get damaged if there are issues already usually
Yes it can be traumatic as you have all the noise of the airport/aircraft etc and new people, we have had 1 try and escape that I know of in 20 odd years of doing this.
If she has never been in a cage that’s a big hurdle to get over in itself and will be traumatic on any way they chose to transport
-Cruise ship - wont be possible as she weighs a good 45KG and the only cruise that takes dogs is the queen marry 2, with a 20kg weight restriction.
Yep very very restricted in what they send on passenger ships and again will be in kennels in a cargo hold until she clears health document checks at destination, dog cant come out from them until you reach the US, so couped up longer.
-This leaves me with a final option of a cargo ship. I haven't done enough research on this yet, but am considering it a plausible option.
Again the dog will have to be in a cage or ships hold kennels (if they have them) due safety and health restrictions, but for a much longer period than a flight
Anyway has anyone experienced moving there pets abroad, or has anyone got any ideas of how I can get her across to the US safely. I'm sure there is a better way than a plane, I just need to think outside of the box!