Taking your pets on the plane

CMoon · Post by **CMoon** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 8:40 pm

I'm about to move from the east coast to the west coast and have two cats that ultimately are going to get shipped as cargo. Anyone have experience with this. I think I've got my end covered, but can't wait for the bullshit to begin once I get to the airport.

Jon · Post by **Jon** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 10:17 pm

If your cats are uppity you can talk to your vet about getting them a sedative for the long flight. As long as the airline is aware when booking that you will be traveling with two animals there shouldn't be to much hassle.

Specineff · Post by **Specineff** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 1:48 am

Just don't bring snakes.

yojo! · Post by **yojo!** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 2:01 am

I once flew over the atlantic (13h flight) and the passenger next to me was travelling with 2 cats. She gave them sedatives and would go every once in a while to the bathroom with them to change their diapers... So be prepared; just in case.

Daedalus · Post by **Daedalus** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 9:09 am

yojo! wrote:I once flew over the atlantic (13h flight) and the passenger next to me was travelling with 2 cats. She gave them sedatives and would go every once in a while to the bathroom with them to change their diapers... So be prepared; just in case.

Mind telling me what airline you took? I may be spending an extended amount of time overseas, and I would like to take my cats with me but I couldn't bear shipping them cargo.

CMoon - I have two cats, and in an emergency had to get them shipped from Baltimore to Milwaukee. So, I have a little experience in the matter.

First of all, shipping them is going to be unimaginably stressful - try not to drop them off too long before the plane leaves, and make sure someone is there to pick them up as soon as it arrives.

Second, traveling in the cargo hold is downright dangerous for pets. However, many airlines have pressurized and temperature-controlled cargo holds for shipping pets. Make sure that your airline has this, and this is what you are getting. And while you're at it, ask the airline for everything you're going to need well in advance. To ship our cats, we had to provide documentation from a vet saying they were healthy, among other things.

Third, your cat is going to be in the carrier for a long time. If you acclimate the cat to it, it'll be a lot happier (try putting its food dish inside and letting eat/sleep there). On the trip, you may want to try putting a small litterbox inside - if the cat is forced to soil its bed on a long trip, it's going to be far more upset.

Fourth, don't expect the baggage handlers to treat your pet with the same respect you would - it will get tossed around. Furthermore, it'll probably bump around while flying. Make sure everything is secure, safe, and padded.

Good luck! I hope your cats handle the trip alright.

Frederik · Post by **Frederik** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 1:32 pm

Specineff wrote:Just don't bring snakes.

You beat me to it.

CMoon · Post by **CMoon** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 3:00 pm

Well the two cats are going cargo--I got a prescription for some kitty Valium, so hopefully this will help, but this will certainly be an outright horrible experience for the cats. I don't really know what else I can do since taking them as carry on isn't really an option (and I'm not sure it would even help.)

yojo! · Post by **yojo!** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 3:15 pm

Daedalus wrote:Mind telling me what airline you took? I may be spending an extended amount of time overseas, and I would like to take my cats with me but I couldn't bear shipping them cargo.

This was United Airlines back in the day when they still had non-stop flight between SFO and Paris. She had to buy one extra seat; She would keep the boxes under the seats in front of hert; the attendant would not let her keep them on the seat itself.

Jon · Post by **Jon** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 7:23 pm

CMoon wrote:Well the two cats are going cargo--I got a prescription for some kitty Valium, so hopefully this will help, but this will certainly be an outright horrible experience for the cats. I don't really know what else I can do since taking them as carry on isn't really an option (and I'm not sure it would even help.)

Yes it will be a stressfull experience for you and will down right suck for your poor kittys but at least you are only going one way. The sedatives should help.

Where abouts on the west coast are you moving to CMoon?

Specineff · Post by **Specineff** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 8:25 pm

FrederikJurk wrote:
Specineff wrote:Just don't bring snakes.
You beat me to it.

I'm surprised no one noticed it before.

CMoon · Post by **CMoon** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 1:03 pm

Jon wrote:
Where abouts on the west coast are you moving to CMoon?

LA; very tired of watching my job go nowhere here in Providence, and the change in weather suits me.

Post by **BulletMagnet** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 3:45 pm

CMoon wrote:
Jon wrote:
Where abouts on the west coast are you moving to CMoon?
LA; very tired of watching my job go nowhere here in Providence, and the change in weather suits me.

Not to mention, of course, that the ape you love lives there.

CMoon · Post by **CMoon** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 1:44 am

BulletMagnet wrote:
CMoon wrote:
Jon wrote:
Where abouts on the west coast are you moving to CMoon?
LA; very tired of watching my job go nowhere here in Providence, and the change in weather suits me.
Not to mention, of course, that the ape you love lives there.

I should probably change that avatar at some point...but its still funny!