Flying Yorkie to the UK in Cargo!

[ozziepoo]

I am moving to the Uk, so now my super anxious Ozzie will have to travel from California to London in Cargo. It is part of the UK's rules that he travel in cargo in order to bypass the quarantine time period.

I have spoken to a rep from Virgin Airlines Atlantic and he assured me that they have done this many times and have never had a death, but I am still nervous.

I am so worried about his travel time. Does anyone have any experience getting their dog into the UK? How about travel in cargo?

[dogjaunt]

Hello! I've started thinking about this myself, since I'd like to take Chloe, our Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, to the U.K., but I decline to ship her under the plane. My best thought so far -- and I know it will work, but I haven't yet put together all the details -- is to fly with her in-cabin to Paris (we're going on United this fall, and several other airlines allow small dogs and cat to travel in-cabin to France), then rent a car and drive to the U.K. via the Chunnel. You'd have to meet France's import requirements (not hard, your vet will help), make an appointment with a Parisian vet (do a search on my website Dog Jaunt for "English-speaking veterinarian in Paris," and you'll find one that people like), get a E.U. "pet passport" from him (again, not hard, and you'll have pretty much done all the work already to get into France) and confirm that you've met the U.K.'s import requirements (not hard, and again, you'll already have done the work to get into France), rent a car and make a reservation on the Eurotunnel Shuttle: The Channel Tunnel - Drive Between the UK and Europe Through the Channel Tunnel - Eurotunnel Facts and Information

It's a little roundabout, but it would really improve your dog's travel experience, PLUS you'd get at least a day in Paris. Nothing wrong with that!

Here's my website, which also has (under "Guides") a quick reference chart for international airlines -- which ones allow in-cabin pets, and an overview of their policies. It's called Dog Jaunt -- Dog Jaunt : Traveling with a small dog

I wish you and Ozzie a safe and easy trip, and a great new life in the U.K.!!

[ozziepoo]

Hello dogjaunt, Just wanted to say thank you for the suggestion. I am now bringing my dog and cat through Paris and my dog will now be flying in the cabin; what a relief!

Many thanks!!

[cruiserpk]

We moved to the UK in January of 2004 with our little Yorkie, Muffin. I went through the whole process of the UK pet scheme and thankfully everything went well. It is a bit of an ordeal, but we were lucky that we were traveling from the east coast- less time in cargo. Muffin was nine when we moved, and she really had no problems at all. She was a very confident little dog, so that helped. The people at Virgin Atlantic cargo were extremely pleasant and the captain himself checked her prior to takeoff. (I was flying in first class so that helped too!)

Please note that while going through Paris is supposed to be a breeze, be super prepared with all the documents, and especially at the UK border. You may want to have a small photo of the dog ready for entry into the pet passport, not required but helpful. The UK loves their rules and you need everything in perfect order.

[dogjaunt]

I'm so pleased that it's going to work out for you and Ozzie, Ozziepoo! (I also like cruiserdk's suggestion to bring along a small photo of Ozzie -- good thinking.) Please let me know how the trip goes -- I'm writing a post about the logistics of what you're about to do, and it would help ENORMOUSLY to hear from someone who's actually done it! My e-mail address is m-a[at]dogjaunt[dot]com, and I'd love to hear from you when you catch your breath. Safe travels!

[Beamers Mom]

Back in 1987 when we brought our Yorkies and Lhasas into the USA from England we had to bring them cargo. Was a long flight, but they were fine.
Only complaint was that when we arrived in Atlanta, we had to pick them up with the baggage at the baggage claim area - they were on the conveyer belt with all the luggage!!! They were just going around the conveyer belt in their separate cages. I thought at the time that just anyone could have picked them up!

And although we went through all the procedures of getting the vet OK papers which we were told we would need, no-one asked to see them.
But that was from England to the USA.

But cargo was fine

[pancakepat]

If I had to fly any pet cargo, I "wouldn't" go (for any reason)............

[Beamers Mom]

Originally Posted by pancakepat

If I had to fly any pet cargo, I "wouldn't" go (for any reason)............

Unfortnately we didn't have any choice. My husband was USAF and we were being transferred back to the USA from England. Leaving my babies behind was not an option. We had to fly military and have our babies flown cargo.
There are some travels we have no control over

[keokis mom]

I'm so happy you're furbaby is going in the cabin with you. I understand sometimes there are no other options but my father is a pilot and said he would never let one of our dogs fly cargo- that he has seen and heard horrible things happen- not to scare you or anyone else. So I am very happy for you. When I got Keoki I flew to Denver to get him and flew back the same day because my parents did not want me to have him shipped . For many people it is fine but knowing what I know I would not take the chance.

[keokis mom]

I also agree that if there is no other option but fly your furbaby in cargo you have to do what you have to do