Pet Transport (domestic, transborder and international!)

lynndyhop
Senior Member



Joined: 29 Jan 2008
Posts: 79
Location: Staffordshire

Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 1:47 pm

 

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For anyone who has done blood tests for their pets, how long did you have to wait for the results? Just curious as I have a blood test appointment on the 18th, and just in case they don't pass, I want to estimate what the delay will be!
_________________
Lynndyhop.

I'm not an American! I am a Canadian. I come from a "nice", thoroughly unrealistic country.

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Tigerlea
Senior Member



Joined: 02 Jan 2008
Posts: 82
Location: Calgary, Alberta

Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 1:59 pm

 

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Oh! I totally forgot to mention today:

I got a call from the Vets assistant on Saturday saying that Vaun (my precious boy-cat) 'passed' the blood test. His level is something like. 2.19, and they need at least 0.5 (I THINK) to pass. So we're good to go in 6 months.

He had his blood test on January 10th, and as I said, I got the call Saturday though I was told I was supposed to get the call Friday (February 8th), so it took JUST under a month to get the results.


Also. Has ANYONE taken a step beyond the blood test yet? Whatever the next step is. I just want to make sure I don't screw up now that the 'big' things are out of the way. I'm also unsure if I have to do a final checkup within the month prior to leaving. The Vets assistant said I may have to, but she was unsure as well, and all I can find about it is that the animal "needs to have a clear bill of health and proof of this". Any ideas? =\ It's bugging me now. Despite all this research I've done.


I will try to help others along the way, though. As best I can!

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RGBaker
New Member



Joined: 15 Dec 2007
Posts: 6

Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 2:59 am

 

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I brought my dog to the UK from Canada -- here are my experiences:

1) The vet charged me a 'management fee' for the process and handled the whole thing -- blood tests, chipping, confirmation, deworming, filing et cetera. Cost $500 all-in, I paid once up-front and after that just had to make it to appointments as scheduled;
2) Separate and unrelated, the airline (KLM) had specific requirements of their own -- stupidly but beyond discussion, they require that the dog receive a rabies vaccination within a specific time frame before travelling. Makes no difference that the entire Pet Passport program is designed to ensure your beast is rabies free, and that the shots, blood tests, retests and whatnot have all confirmed it . two weeks before travel he had to get another shot to satisfy KLM.

Point is that it is best to find a vet that is familiar with the process and committed to making sure you comply, and also that you don't overlook the possibility that your carrier will have rules of their own that have nothing to do with the PP program.

Cheers,
GB

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lynndyhop
Senior Member



Joined: 29 Jan 2008
Posts: 79
Location: Staffordshire

Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 9:32 am

 

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Hi RGBaker!

Thanks for sharing your experience! Very useful - Sounds like it's a good idea to do more research on what the airline needs.For anyone else trying to do this, here's what I've found so far. Being from Vancouver, I can use Air Canada or BA to fly to Heathrow, or Zoom to fly to Manchester/Gatwick. I read on Air Canada's website that they require proof that your pet is fit to fly. My Vet included general examination papers saying that my cats are fit to fly, and will do another examination when I get the worming thing done. Apparently it's also useful to attach a picture of your pet to the outside of the kennel, along with papers, and keep copies of all papers with you.

As for kennels, if you have two pets, it's possible to put 2 in one kennel, depending on their weight. If you can do it, this cuts your cargo costs in half - a real money saver! What I am trying to research now, is how big of a kennel I'll need for two cats. They say there has to be enough room for your pet to turn around, lay down and stand. Harder to ensure you have the right size with two pets.I've phoned to investigate, and no one has given me exact rules on this.
_________________
Lynndyhop.

I'm not an American! I am a Canadian. I come from a "nice", thoroughly unrealistic country.

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lynndyhop
Senior Member



Joined: 29 Jan 2008
Posts: 79
Location: Staffordshire

Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2008 12:02 pm

 

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Tigerlea,

Took my cats for their blood test yesterday and my vet gave me some additional details on the next steps in the process.hopefully this helps.

-Assuming they pass, she said that one month before travel, she will assemble all my papers needed, plus the "veterinary certificate for domestic dogs, cats and ferrets entering the European Community for non-commercial movements' form and help me book an appointment with the Veterinarian at the Vancouver Airport (this is for BC, so not sure about AB) and he will officially fill out that form with me and that is the step for the PETS passport.
-1 month before is also the time to get your Airline-approved Kennel - most airlines seem to have a link to a site that sells approved kennels. Kennels range in price for Air Canada from $60 and up, depending on the size you need.
-1 month - 14 days (differs by airline - check the carrier you are wanting to fly - I phoned to get an exact estimate of time) to make your booking for your pet to fly. So far, I've found Air Canada to be the cheapest for cargo rates.

Hope that helps!
_________________
Lynndyhop.

I'm not an American! I am a Canadian. I come from a "nice", thoroughly unrealistic country.

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ashschu
Junior Member



Joined: 09 Feb 2008
Posts: 12
Location: Vancouver Island

Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2008 9:57 pm

 

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Thanks everyone for all the awesome info. I too am probably going to be bringing over my dog after my initial "tester" period in the UK (don't want to put my dog through all this if I don't decide to stay in England for a while).

For those who have gone through this step, how did your pet fly over? I have read that some airlines will allow you to have your pet on board with you if the kennel is small and light enough. I think my small Dachshund would be allowed to fly in the cabin with me.but I just don't know if that would be the nicest decision for him.

I feel that if I am right there he will whine and cry as he'll want me to let him out of his crate and whatnot. I can't imagine that flying is very enjoyable for pets and I know he would want comfort if I was right there

Flying in the cargo hold has it's pros and cons as well though. For one - it's the cargo area so not always as regulated as they claim. However, if no one is really paying attention to my pup I know he would just make himself comfy and sleep, which would prolly be much nicer for him. But then I am worried about him as I'm not with him and making sure all is okay

Lastly - what assurances are you given that all is well with your dog, and that he is on the flight with you? We shipped my pup from the States to me in Canada when I bought him. He flew from Louisiana with a litter mate in a separate crate going to a different destination. They had a joint stopover in Texas where one pup was supposed to fly on to Utah and my pup was supposed to fly on to Seattle. No one bothered to check where my dog was flying to and just assumed he was going to Utah as well!

Long story short, my poor dog ended up spending something like 18 hours in his crate before he made it to us as no one at the airline is allowed to open the crate when they are flying cargo. Needless to say I am very wary of flying cargo as you can't keep an eye on where they are going.

Sorry this is such a book, but if anyone can give me some insight into this it would be great!

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Tigerlea
Senior Member



Joined: 02 Jan 2008
Posts: 82
Location: Calgary, Alberta

Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008 9:44 am

 

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Unfortunately, if you will be traveling to the UK on the PETS travel scheme, your dog can NOT be with you in the cabin. I looked this up myself about a month ago, and on the Air Canada site it actually says that the animal will have to travel in cargo and not in the cabin if traveling on the Pet Travel Scheme. I was very upset to hear this, because I had just finished reading a paragraph saying my cat could be in my cabin with me.

Sorry to give you this bad news, but hopefully it helps with the rest of your booking. Just try not to have any stopovers, and you should be okay.


PS ~ Thanks Lynndyhop, I still have to work on getting certain papers from my vet.

Does anyone happen to know what a 'certified copy' of the blood test results is? My vet just sent me a photocopy. I hope that's okay, 'cause I don't understand what they're really asking for.

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LittleMapes
CanuckAbroad Regular



Joined: 27 Sep 2007
Posts: 61
Location: Ontario

Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 12:46 pm

 

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I'm so excited. My little dog passed the bloodwork with flying colours. So we can fly out after June 10th. That seems so far away, when really it is just over 3 months.

I'm really confused about the pet passport/certificate. Where do I get this form? Or does the Vet get it? I see lots of guidance notes on how to fill it out properly, but i don't see the form online.

My vet mentioned something about going to some agriculture place, and get a certain vet to fill out the form. anyone else know about this?

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