Moving a dog from US to England?

[NewfieMama]

I'm asking this for a friend. They are moving to the UK for a 2 year post, and have a senior mixed breed dog, probably 60-70 lbs. They'd like her to come with them but really don't want to put her in cargo due to her age.

Thought I'd ask here for any BTDT ideas and suggestions.

The trip would be NYC-London/Heathrow if that matters....

 

[Brandie&Maggie]

I don't know how it works for dogs, but a friend's family moved with a cat about 5 years ago. The cat obviously went in the cabin, but had to be in quarantine in a kennel the UK for 6 months. The cat got very poor care and severely matted, etc. I would not do that to any animal if it were me. I'd make sure they really check out the requirements - hopefully things have changed!

As far as transport, I've heard of a "pet only" airline. I'm not sure if they go overseas though.

 

[victoria1140]

quarantine is 6 months unless they are service animals, etc

 

[new_2_newf]

try these links for more info

http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets/pets/travel/pets/pet-owners/

What you need to do if you are entering the UK from the EU and listed non-EU countries
Preparing your dog, cat or ferret

Step 1 – Have your pet microchipped – Before any of the other procedures for pet travel are carried out, your pet must be fitted with a microchip so it can be properly identified.
Step 2 – Have your pet vaccinated – After the microchip has been fitted your pet must be vaccinated against rabies. There is no exemption to this requirement, even if your pet has a current rabies vaccination. Rabies boosters must be kept up to date. The length of the waiting period before entry to the UK is 21 days after the first vaccination date. A waiting period is not required for subsequent entries into the UK, provided rabies boosters are kept up to date. If the vaccination is in two parts the 21 day wait will be from the date of the second vaccination. For the purposes of calculating the waiting period, the date that the vaccination was carried out is counted as day 0.
Step 3 – Get pet travel documentation – For animals being prepared in an EU country, you should get an EU pet passport. If you are preparing your animal in a non-EU listed country or territory you will need to obtain an official third country veterinary certificate (apart from Croatia, Gibraltar, Norway, San Marino and Switzerland who also issue pet passports).
Step 4 – Tapeworm treatment – (dogs only): before entering the UK, all pet dogs (including assistance dogs) must be treated for tapeworm. The treatment must be administered by a vet not less than 24 hours and not more than 120 hours (1-5 days) before its scheduled arrival time in the UK. There is no mandatory requirement for tick treatment. No treatment is required for dogs entering the UK from Finland, Ireland, Malta or Norway).
Step 5 – Arrange for your animal to travel with an approved transport company on an authorised route – Your pet must enter the UK from a listed country or territory travelling with an approved transport company on an authorised route.

 

[new_2_newf]

http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets/pets/travel/pets/

The Pet Travel Scheme is the system that allows:

Pet dogs, cats and ferrets to enter the UK without quarantine as long as they meet the rules.
People in the UK to take their dogs, cats and ferrets to other countries and territories, and return with them to the UK without the need for quarantine.
The rules are to keep the UK free from rabies and certain other exotic diseases. The UK has been free from rabies for many years, but because of the existence of the disease in other countries there is a continued need for an effective system to be in place to manage the risk of rabies being introduced by imported animals.

Dogs, cats and ferrets
The UK does not allow dogs, cats and ferrets that have not been vaccinated against rabies to enter the UK. Once they have reached the minimum age for vaccination (as stated on the vaccine manufacturer’s datasheet) they must be prepared in accordance with all the requirements explained on these web pages, taking account of the required order of preparation.

What pet owners need to do – How to bring your pet dog cat, or ferret into or back into the UK under the Pet Travel Scheme.
Countries and territories – The rules for dogs, cats and ferrets entering the UK will depend on which country or territory you are travelling from.
Routes and transport companies – Dogs, cats and ferrets entering the UK under the Pet Travel Scheme may only do so on approved routes.
You are responsible for ensuring your pet meets all the rules for entering the UK under the Pet Travel Scheme. Make sure you have had the procedures carried out in the correct order and your pet’s documentation is correctly completed. If you do not, your pet may not be able to enter the country or may have to be licensed into quarantine on arrival. This will mean delay and will cost you money.

 

[DAWNMERIE]

Many moons ago....Our poor Duke (GSD) ended up traveling the world, I think in the end he was missing for 9 months until the airlines found him. It's probably a much better system these days but I will say MICROCHIP! I have also heard some real horror stories.

 

[Joan Fisher]

They could go by ship! We came home from Europe by ship along with our car and just drove home after we got off in NYC. There were dog kennels on board although we didn't have a dog with us at the time. 4 days trip though, and you'd have to do the protocol outlined by new 2 newf to avoid quarantine.

 

[TerriW]

....Get him certified as a therapy dog.....

 

[NewfieMama]

....Get him certified as a therapy dog.....

Has to be a service dog, not a therapy dog.

I've shared the link with him. Also the suggestion of a ship, and tipped him about a mutual friend who has a private jet...will keep working! Molly is an awesome dog and she's like their kid, so I hope they can find a way!

 

[TerriW]

Really? I sat next to a gentleman on a plane who held a Chihuahua on his lap. I asked, is he allowed to travel in coach because he's so small? He said, no it's a therapy dog for my anxiety. Maybe he meant service dog.

In Michigan a student just won a settlement because the University she lived at did not allow her to take her pet ferret into the cafeteria, and she won because it was a 'service pet'. Or maybe it was a guinea pig.

Anyway. Back on topic. Hope to hear that this works out!

 

[NewfieMama]

Really? I sat next to a gentleman on a plane who held a Chihuahua on his lap. I asked, is he allowed to travel in coach because he's so small? He said, no it's a therapy dog for my anxiety. Maybe he meant service dog.

In Michigan a student just won a settlement because the University she lived at did not allow her to take her pet ferret into the cafeteria, and she won because it was a 'service pet'. Or maybe it was a guinea pig.

Anyway. Back on topic. Hope to hear that this works out!

Yeah, TDI is really clear on not trying to blur the line between the two. I do know if someone has a service animal that it's illegal to challenge them and ask about the nature of their disability...

 

[bauernicomom]

Several years ago we moved our dog from the US to England. We had to put her in
quarantine. Knowing what I know now, I would NEVER do this again. We live and we
learn. My understanding is there is no longer quarantine but several steps that must
be met in order for a dog to enter the UK. These steps can take many months in order
to comply. If quarantine is avoidable, I would move with my dog.
I do know that Cunard has dog kennels aboard. They sail transatlantic. I think it's the
QE 2 that has the kennels. There are size restrictions. The kennels look very nice and
you can visit your pet during the cruise. Spots fill up fast. We looked into it for our
return home. Sadly, they don't allow Newfoundlands due to size.

 

[smy0527]

Maybe I understood my brother wrong, who is a pilot for one of the major airlines, but he said that any certified "therapy" animal is allowed in the cabin and no one is allowed to ask questions once the doctors' papers are shown. His airline had a "therapy" pony once!!!!!

 

[Angela]

Arthur flew from Vancouver, BC to Belgium several years ago when his family were transferred there. Apparently he barked down in the cargo place all across the atlantic and so when they were transferred to London 18 months ago they decided to leave him here with us.

They have taken a cat and a small mixed breed with them. There is a very good pet organization in Vancouver who helps arrange flights, the necessary vaccination papers, etc. There is no quarantine into England now, but quite a stringent preparation.