Moving across the world with your doodle

[Ellen]

I am taking a much-deserved sabbatical from my regular job in D.C. to live in Asia for a year or two, and I'm not sure whether to bring Riley with me or leave him behind with my parents.  I know that people fly with their dogs all the time, but I'm still worried -- it's a long flight (15 hours non-stop).  So, I'm trying to see if any DK'ers have flown internationally with their dogs (particulary flying to or from Asia).  Here are my questions:

 

PET RELOCATION SERVICES

(1)  Has anybody used a pet relocation service to fly their dog internationally? 

(2)  If so, any recommendations? 

(3)  What services did the pet relocation service provide?  For example, did they help you figure out the health/quarantine requirements?  Did they provide door-to-door service and pick-up?  Do they check with the airline about temperature controls in the hold or cargo areas?  What steps did they take to ensure that your pet wouldn't be lost?

 

AIRLINES

(4)  I've heard about several lost pets on domestic Delta flights, so I wanted to know if anybody is aware of any airline to AVOID for international flights.

(5)  Alternatively, is there any airline that anybody had a good experience with when flying internationally with their pets?

 

ON THE AIRPLANE

(6)  I heard that sometimes you have a choice of flying your dog as special baggage in a ventilated hold or in the cargo area (which may not be temperature-controlled).  I'm assuming that cargo refers to where the suitcases are loaded.  Has anybody travelled with their dog in the hold area?  What should I ask about the hold or cargo areas?  (FYI:  If I take Riley, I'm planning to fly in late winter or early spring when the weather is cooler)

 

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!  Thanks in advance!

Ellen

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Sounds incredible! All I can provide input on is this: my sister thought she was moving to Asia to teach a few years ago. She had her chihuahua get an international microchip and all the vaccinations - had she ended up going, he would have had to be quarantined for 2 weeks (I believe), which was much less than if she did not do the microchip/vaccinations, etc....I belive she took the more expensive approach in hopes of avoiding a longer quarantine.
Also, airlines will simply NOT allow dogs to fly unless the temp is within a certain range. And that temperature must remain in the range the ENTIRE trip. You would need to ensure you are traveling when it is mildest in all atmospheres (how will that work?).
I should also add that my sister's plans changed and next she thought she was moving to London. She was planning to take Charley overseas via cruiseliner (and go with him) instead of air.

Maybe one of our international doods can chime in. I could be incorrect on some of this - these facts were from about 5 years ago.

[F, Calla & Luca]

How about a ship for both of you? Inow the Queen Mary has kennels but I wonder what else is out there.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

That is what my sister was going to do F.....

[Zoe, Benny and Tyler]

Wow congratulations on your plans and enjoy your sabbatical.
I haven't flown with my doodles but I had my puppy shipped from the US to Europe in February this year and I know a lot of families who did they same and have very good experiences.

The thing you need to ask for is the LIVE STOCK ROOM in the plane. The dog will still fly as "freight" but not together with the suitcases. They have a special cargo room where all the animals are in and which is temperature controlled. They will only call it "freight" because the costs are calculated depending on the size and weight of the crate including the dog.
For my puppy's flight I have used Pacific Pets. Their agent was really helpful and responded very fast to my emails and answered all my questions. I also received a tracking number so that I was able to see at any stage of the journey where my puppy was (it showed even that the crate was standing in front of the plane waiting to be loaded into the plane). The pet shipper agency will also be able to tell you which documents you will need for the dog (for instance health certificates). Did you inform yourself already if you can bring the dog to Asia without quarantine? I think I would remember that they require quarantine if the dog comes from the US but I am not sure, so better double check.

[Mr. Frodo]

Hello Ellen, I moved to Germany from Candaa with my Parents for a year. It was a great adventure! But it was a lot of planning and prep for my mom and while I survived the trip both to Germany and back home to Canada - If I never see the inside of a plane again it will be too soon. That said - I am so glad I was with my mom!

There was a lot of paperwork to take care of - for Canada --> Germany the paper work involved Vet reports on vaccinations, health cetificate. Germany is a fairly easy country to re-locate to. They LOVE animlas and do not have a Quarentine. You will have to check with the Country you ra going to if they have a quarentine policy - if they do it may not be worth trying to take Riley :-(

For the Trip to germany we flew direct - She arranged everything with Air Canada and while I technically flew Cargo (which btw is very expenesive but bc of my size there was no other choice) but she was on the same flight as me so we arrived at the same time. from the Time I boarded until the time she picked me up on the other end approx. 15 hours had passed.

On the trip back to Canada - we used a animal shipping service in Germany (German policy) - but they were great to me too. Took very good care and I was treated like the precious cargo that I am. Again, the total trip on a direct flight was about 15 hours - There was less paper work / step coming back to canada as I am a Canadian citizen :-)

Now, my mom was told that all international flights are on plane that have climate and air pressure control in the cargo holds. Animals are usually placed at the front ont he plane - but this might vary based on the carrier. This is something I would verify woth the animal service and the airline.

There is actually a lot involved. But if you feel Riley is up to it and you can afford the cost, it is worth it to have your Dood with you!

Another note - You may want ot investigate how the locals feel about pet dogs in the areas you are planning to go. I know in some parts of Asia (Singapore for example) LOVE dogs but some other areas are not fond of them or are often affraid (especially large dogs).

If you would like to pick my brain for more info / experiences of travel feel free to email me :-)

Mr. Frodo (aka Frodo Dood)

[Ellen]

Mr. Frodo! Thanks for your input! BTW, I know a goldendoodle named Bilbo!

[Ellen]

THANKS for everybody's responses! This is why I love the DK community! This has been really, really helpful. I may be emailing you guys with follow-up questions if I decide to take Riley with me. It sounds like a lot of background research, but I still have more than 6 months to think about it before I travel. Also, thanks for suggesting questions that I should ask before traveling, like quarantine requirements and attitudes about dogs in the country where I'm going.

I guess I forgot to mention where I'm moving to....Seoul! I believe that as long as you meet certain requirements (e.g., vaccinations within 30 days of travel, etc.), then they will release the dog to you the same day that you arrive.

As for attitudes about dogs in Seoul.....well, that's another reason why I'm hesitant about bringing Riley. Seoul is not as dog-friendly as the US (e.g., by my count, only 1 dog park in the city, and no agility or Rally classes), and historically, Koreans have not viewed dogs as pets, but rather as animals that live outside and guard the house. Although I've been told that there's an increasing number of dog owners raising their pooch indoors and loving them as companions, most of these dogs are small (usually white) toy dogs. I consider Riley (40 pounds) to be a smallish medium-sized dog, but in Korea, he would be considered a "large" dog.

In some of the expat forums, there are stories about Koreans yelling at somebody (or their "large" dog), kids screaming and running away in fear, neighbors complaining, and other not so pleasant stories. At the same time, I've read other expat sites saying that it's not as bad as others say it is, and that for the most part, Koreans (who just aren't used to seeing larger dogs) will just avoid your path. And just like all other doodes, Riley LOVES interacting with people. So, I'm really torn about taking him with me. I can't bear to leave him behind with my parents (who will love and spoil him), but I don't want him to be miserable there.

If I decide to take him, I'm just hoping that his lethal butt wag and cute furry face will win over even the grumpiest of Koreans! How could a person NOT smile when they meet my Mr. Wriggly Butt!

Thanks again for the great advice!