Shiba Fly!

kouda_kumakouda_kuma
edited April 2010 in General
Hello!
I visit the forum from time to time, but rarely post anything. I love reading about all y'all's pack buddies ^^

I'm the happy owner of two Shibas, Boo and Bear!
I'm writing here because the three of us are moving internationally at the end of the summer and I'm very nervous about the process. I have all of their vet papers, blood tests, flight kennels, etc in order and have been over all the rules and regulations ... I'm just really upset about forcing my boys onto a plane!

Boo was a rescue and he's still the nervous sort. Koda Bear is incredibly happy-go-lucky, but he's never met an airplane! Almost every transpacific flight I have been on has had people with their pets in the baggage area, but I'm still borderline freaking out about it ...

The guys are too big to go under the seat and will apparently have to fly as checked luggage. But I was wondering if anyone knows whether or not you can just buy a seat for your animal and put the kennel on the seat, since it fits?? (That sounds like such a ridiculous question, but I had to ask! I thought I'd try to ask here first rather than when I call the airline ^^) The price of extra tickets would more than worth the peace of mind to me.

Does anybody here have any experience with this sort of thing? Any words of advice/encouragement?

Thank you in advance! ^^


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Comments

  • kouda_kumakouda_kuma
    edited November -1
    Just in case anyone was wondering, Boo and Bear with be flying unaccompanied with a company a friend uses regularly to ship her horses overseas for competition. I have to leave in mid-August to start work, so they will wait with my parents a few weeks until the weather cools and their quarantine period is completely finished. This way I can set up house and find a vet in our new city before they arrive. With the quarantine completed stateside, it should only take an hour or so tops to get them through AQS on the other side, then a short trip to our new home! Most companies discourage sedation, but our vet has said I may be wise to consider it in Boo's case, so he may be getting something just to calm him before boarding with the handler.

    If anyone is interested, I'll let you know how it goes! Though it sounds like most people here shipped their dogs from abroad initially, so you're probably all fairly experienced. ^^

    Thanks anyway if you read this post previously!
  • okironokiron
    edited November -1
    I can't help you much, I haven't flown any animals internationally yet, just my cat domestically. I do know the buying a seat for them thing wont work. It's either under the seat or under the plane.
  • Two SocksTwo Socks
    edited November -1
    That's great news, I'm very interested on how it all turns out. I know how nervous you must be , but dogs are very resilient, think about what shelter dogs have to endure. It will work out & your pups will spring back to normal as soon as you reunite!! Think positive thoughts!!:)

    BTW where are you going to call home?
  • TeamLaikaTeamLaika
    edited November -1
    I've shipped dogs across the Atlantic several times with good success. Being 35-50 lbs, they have always gone in cargo.

    The most important thing you can do is acclimate your dogs to their crates before the trip (if they aren't already accustomed to being crated).

    Sedation is not advised because the dogs then have difficulty regulating their body temperature. It can be cold in the cargo area.

    http://www.dryfur.com/ has some tips and travel kits.
  • kouda_kumakouda_kuma
    edited November -1
    TeamLaika, thank you so much for the dryfur link! I have been looking everywhere for good absorbent padding to line the kennels with. That is really a huge help!

    They are crate trained and I just received their flight kennels, so we have the next six months to get them acclimated ... Thinking happy thoughts for them and doing my best to make sure they won't be too upset on the flight! ><

    Two Socks, we are moving to Japan! One of my dogs was a shelter dog ... I feel like such a horrible horrible person for putting him through anything remotely similar to the shelter on purpose, but I hope I'm doing enough to ensure his well-being and peace of mind for the move ...
  • TheWalrusTheWalrus
    edited November -1
    Awesome to have more forum members in Japan :) Hope everything goes smoothly!
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