Looking for anyone that has traveled to the UK
 

We are moving to the Uk and had only about three months notice. Having now gotten a list of what needs to be done for our babies to come along with us we find that we need about 6 months to complete all they ask. It is tearing me up that they will not be able to travel with us and finding alternatives is very difficult.

We have com up with a few options in our heads but still not sure how they will work out. One is to have a friend watch them until all is completed which at this point would be May and she is traveling to the UK in June and would bring them with her then. But so many things could go wrong, it scares me. What if something happens and she can't come in June? Not to mention how far June is from when we are actually leaving. We are leaving the begining of Feb and they would likely need to be taken there in Jan since she is a days drive from here.

Our other option is (because our older son is having trouble with his visa due to age, they won't accept him as our dependant) to have him stay with his grandparents with the dogs and bring them over with him when his visa is done and the dogs paperwork is all in order. Of course still problems there as my MIL doesn't want the dogs in her house even if they are kept in their playpen so we are not sure how this will work out. I don't want them left on the back porch because she doesn't want them in the house.

I am desperate at this point and wondered if anyone had any experience taking them over (we are military) before the required 6 months after everything they want done. They make it sound horrible on their website and even say they have the discression to do what they feel when the animal arrived, including quarentine for up to 6 months, deport the animal or even...are you ready for this...put the animal down!

It is just killing me that we have been put in this position so please, anyone with any experience or ideas please let me know. :(

Oh possibly thoughts on what, how, where, cost to have them shipped on their own after the 6 months if my plans fall through on someone bringing them.

Oh what a mess this is!

Beamersmom is from the UK. Contact her.

Thank you. Does anyone have experience shipping maybe?

I always refer people with traveling pups to visit Dog Jaunt : Traveling with a small dog. She has helped me tremendously on a number of occasions and just took her dog on a very successful European tour. Her contact information is under About Us or you can chat with her on twitter.

Have you seen this? Looks like it may be easier than you think to take your dogs to the UK. DogFriendly.com - Taking Your Dog From the U.S. or Canada To England

Hi I'm from the uk and now live in Spain. It's real simple to travel with your dog.
Step one, make sure the god is chipped
Step 2 rabies jab
Step 3 blood test
Wait 6 months
Step 5 de flee and tick 24 hours before travel
Make sure the vet completes all info in the pet passport and your done!
Need any more help then pm me
X

Thanks everyone. Would seem simple but when I read the PETS act it sounds insane. We were only given 3 months so there is not 6 months to get these things done any way I look at it. Getting a chip and a test should be easy but it says most given in the states are not the right one meeting the ISO standards. Then there is the wait, which we don't have time for, the PETS certification which must be given by only a vet certified to give it which may be difficult in the small town I am in, tick and tapeworm 24/48 hours before flying and at least the later two requirements having to be taken care of by someone other than myself as they will have to be left behind with a sitter of some sort and then figure out how to get there if who ever has them ends up not coming flying over.

My thoughts at this point are get done everything I can before we leave and take them and just deal with quarantine??? I really don't know what to do at this point. There is only 2 and half months left until we leave so there will be approx 3 and half to 4 months of quarantine to deal with and that sounds intolerable for the kids too.

I could just cry! :(

I think you have two really good ideas that you could possibly combine. Have your friend watch them and have your son visit and take to the UK when he or your friend comes over. My family is military too. Sometimes that just don't give you any notice! My father retired Army, my husband retired Air Force, and both my young sons are in the Army. The oldest was recently PCSd from Ft Benning. It's a very hard decision. Good luck and we're sending hugs and kisses for their safe reunion with you and your family, when that times comes.

I have to agree.... this is what I would do for sure... I don't think I could have them put in quarentine. They would be so unhappy :(