has anyone ever taken their pet abroad, to USA, on British Airways cargo system or similar?

Question

Would be coming from the UK to California. How much does it cost comparitively (i have a chihuahua) and how was your pet afterwards? any advice please!

in the UK most airlines, if not all, will not allow pets in the cabin with you, i do not know why when many american airlines will. pets from the UK must travel in a special temperature controlled cargo hold :-(

Answer 1

Try to take the pet in the cabin with you, for such a small dog it would be cold in the cargo hold in a crate. Call the airline directly for a price quote, it's usually a flat fee for pets in the cabin. A soft standard sized carry bag/duffel with ventalation screens on at least 2 sides I think is what they allow. Ask the ticket agent on the phone the specific measurements. It will count as a carry-on and then you get a personal item, (ie a purse or laptop bag) as well. Take the dog out to the bathroom beforehand, feed it very little solids the night/day before so you don't have solid mess. Line the bag with puppy training pads so if it has to go it's absorbant and won't leak. Don't sedate the dog if you can help it, but if you must my mother always uses a quarter of a benedryl allergy tablet to make her duchshound sleep during flights. Best of luck and have a safe trip! :)

Answer 2

I have taken a cat, from the US to Switzerland.
For a small pet, you have the choice of carrying the pet on board with you - in a small special carrier, as carry-on luggage. Not all airlines allow this, you must investigate yours (I travelled with KLM/Northwest at the time).
That method is of course much safer for the animal - on a long connection flight there are lots of mishaps that can happen, and the pet is often lonely and stressed, if not left out in the heat or in the cold. It is also very cheap: a supplement of about 20 US dollars was all that was required!

Of course, you still need to ensure that you contact a vet to review pet vaccination requirements, a letter of good health may be required - and I suggest you ask the vet for a sleeping aid for your pet, so he will be sleeping most of the trip. No water/food the hours before the trip... to avoid accidents.

My cat had a splendid trip, and adapted perfectly to his new environment.