Pets
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moving to new state may have to ship pets
We are moving from CA to TX and have a dog and a cat. I'm wondering what airlines are the best to ship with, how much it is and what experiences people have had. We have never had to transport our animals very far. Our cat hats being kenneled even for a 10 minute drive.
Thanks!
Re: moving to new state may have to ship pets
I wouldn't do it. I would do everything possible to avoid it.
Can you drive them? I'm sure this has occurred to you. We moved from Maryland to California and drove our three cats with us. When we moved from California to Ohio, we drove our three cats and dog in our car with us.
Airlines just don't take good enough care of pets and it is simply too risky, IMO.
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This is what I would do too. I have no experience w/flying a pet, but I would do everything in my power to prevent having to do so, even though my dog is totally crated trained. It'd stress me out/break my heart wayyyy too much for me to go through w/it!
I would just drive. My dad moved my sister from KY to CA- so I get that it's a long drive, but I would not trust an airline not to lose my pet. Or something awful happened- poor air circulation, rough handling, etc etc.
Once, I got off the plane in Boston and there was a dog who was going INSANE in his kennel. I mean, absolutely insane. I said something to the airline handler and he said the owner was delayed from Singapore and the dog had made the first connecting flight and had been in the kennel for nearly 30 hours. 30 HOURS!!! I was begging him to take him out to pee and poop and give him some food and water but apparently they are not allowed to.
That always stuck with me.
I drove with my dog from MA to SC when we moved a few years ago. I thought she may need a sedative, but she did really great. The vet did offer them to her though, in case she started to go crazy and anxious.
Mine is another vote for taking in the car. We moved from OH to SoCal, and then SoCal to MT with 2 dogs and 2 cats. Granted we don't have kids yet, but I had all four in the car by myself and it actually went better than I thought it might.
Our dogs are great travelers and bunk down and nap the entire trip. Our one kitty does not travel well and we got sedatives from the vet. I put the kitties in a big dog carrier together with some litter and a couple blankets and they did really well. Barely knew they were there. And Maxx, doesn't do a 5 minutes trip to the vet so trust me when I say sedatives saved our life! And I'd rather that than flying them if at all possible.
We recently rescued a 3rd dog since we have been here, and next time we move (we are a military family, so there WILL be a next one) we will do it with the 5 animals and at least one child hopefully by then. : )
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I know it will be a PITA, but it is for peace of mind. I moved my collie from Nebraska to New Jersey because I was so afraid he would overheat if I flew him...plus I knew he would not recover from that kind of stress. My hubby and I had three other dogs in the car that we had to stop and walk and the trip was 1500 miles...
We once had five dogs in a car with my autistic son for a vacation. One was a foster that I refused to leave behind, so we took him with...it was a lot of work as I had to walk five dogs, but was worth it!
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I am the minority here, I've flown my dog three (four? one was r/t) times, twice to move. We've also taken the dog on a 19 hour road trip. Neither way of traveling is pleasant. Once under the seat and three times in cargo. The first time my dog flew in cargo was stressful for her, but in my opinion it was less stressful than the time we drove her 19 hours.
Yes, you can fly your cat under your seat, if it's short enough to fit in a kennel that's a foot tall and i think 19 inches long. Yes, you can sedate your cat IF it will be flying with you in the cabin. Do NOT sedate animals you won't be able to keep an eye one (e.g. if your dog is in cargo). I also would NOT fly your cat in cargo and I wouldn't fly AA (the last time I flew AA, a cat's kennel came open and the cat escaped, at 10pm at night, in Reagan Airport). If you fly with you cat in cabin, be sure to let your seatmates and the flight attendants know you have a cat, because some folks are allergic. Also, use a soft sided kennel for in cabin flights, it's easier to get it under the front of your seat, more comfy for kitty, and less weight to carry through the airport. In cabin pets are between $75 to $150 one way
For cargo pets, you need to use tie-ties to secure the top of the plastic airplane crate to the bottom in all four corners. When you check in, you'll have to have the dog kennel screened, so wait until the kennel has been screened, and the use four more tie-ties to secure the door shut to the crate. Check a bag so you can bring scissors or a knife to get the tie-ties open when you arrive at your destination. You'll also need to buy a watering container for the kennel (we use a lixit - looks like a gerbal water bottle) and secure some of your dog's food to the top of the kennel. Try your hardest to get a direct flight, but if you cannot, put contact information for someone located at every leg of your trip so if something happens, the airline can contact someone local to take care of your pet.
If you do have a layover, your dog will likely be outside during the layover in a covered, but not climate controlled, area. Keep a close eye on weather.com before your flight to make sure it will neither be too hot or too cold. If it's looking to be either of those things, the airline will help you schedule a different flight.
Some airlines require pet health screening 10 or fewer days before flying and will not allow certain types of dogs to fly or any dogs in certain weather. Information about airline specific requirements as prices for in cabin/cargo pets is available on most airline websites under the baggage information section. If you do fly with your dog in cargo, let the flight attendants know your dog is in cargo when you get on the plane. Health screenings can be anywhere from $30 to $100. In cargo airfare can be between $125 to $175 one way.
I think it depends on your situation and your pets whether or not flying is a good option for you. I absolutely wouldn't let a cat out of my sight in an airport, because if the kennel gets open, your cat is gone (and it does happen) so if you can't do your cat in cabin, I'd drive, but if you can do the cat in cabin, and if you can get a direct flight, I think you'd be fine having your dog in cargo for a short, direct flight from CA to TX, and, in my experience, it has been less stressful for my pet to fly for three hours than to drive for 19.
Yes, they can.
If possible, I'd drive out there with the kids, then have one of you fly back, pick up the cat, and fly to TX. It costs an extra $100-$200 to bring a cat on a plane as a carry-on.
My H and I are planning on moving to the east coast in a few years, and this is likely what we'll do.
OR ship the car and have everyone fly out.
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