Has anyone shipped your pet cross country?

Question

We are looking to relocate (Oregon to North Carolina) and a 4 day drive in a car/moving truck will be very uncomfortable for my 110lb dobie. Has anyone ever shipped/flown your pet so that there is less shock on them?
I want what is best for him, if not a good idea, then I will not bother looking into it. If ok to do, can someone recommend a good service?
thanks,

Answer 1

WOW 110 lb Doberman? He's too big! If he doesn't fit in a xlarge crate. The one that is 40" long and like 30" high x 27" wide. You might have a hard time getting a flight that will take the huge crates.. Anything higher than 30" they won't take in many cases.. Only certain planes.

Unless he hates the car, he's likely to be fine in the plane. But I would check into the crate size needed for a dog that's way too big like that... He has to be able to stand, sit down without touching the top and be able to turn around easily.

Edit : Continental is one of the ones with the most problems / deaths than most of them. There is a statistical sheet somewhere online that lists the airlines and their percentage of problems that they have had. I had a problem with a flight and Continental was just the connecting flight from Detroit to Oklahoma.. The person who checked the papers at the border, put them in the photocopier and then didn't return them to the envelope. Once they got to Oklahoma, they wanted the papers and they were no where to be found.. The girl who photocopied and lost them, was gone home for the day. I had to get my vet to fax the health information the next morning to Oklahoma airport so that they would release the puppy that was held overnight at the local vet due to their error. New owner had to pay 2 days boarding and was worried sick. Continental was the reason there was a problem.

Answer 2

I've flown a cat in cargo before, the same cat in the cabin with me, and getting ready to take 2 more cats with me in the cabin...and personally, I really don't recommend flying a pet in cargo. Most airlines tend to be rough on the pets even though they are supposed to be taking "excellent care" of your baby. Also consider in that depending on the time of the year and where the flights will be going through that it could be extremely cold or hot on your dog. Not to mention that the cargo area is not pressurized (I found this out after I flew my baby) so it makes it much harder for animals to breath...brought 2 kittens (the ones who are getting ready to fly in the cabin) back with me and my hubby almost 2 years ago...east coast to west coast) on a road trip after getting married...it wasn't too terribly bad...but they were had no objections at all when we got back out here...

Good luck either way you go...

Answer 3

No way. I have heard so many horror stories. My sister had payed for a puppy to be shipped and the pup was misplaced in teh luggage room and not fed for two days almost died.
in the heat the large dogs are put in teh luggage area and not often reallly taken care of.
Mihgt not be very comfy but I would drive I moved form New York to Virginia and took 5 dogs. We made severl stops for exercise and bathroom breaks. the only way I will travel with my dog no matter how big or small.
At least with a small one you can often put in a under seat carrier nad have it with you as carry on luggage.

Answer 4

I have DRIVED my pets cross country. Two years ago I moved my cat AND fish from California to North Carolina! I took both of them in the car with me. We put my cat on sedatives , but she seemed to do better without them actually... She really enjoyed the car and REALLY enjoyed being off the sedatives. The trip was actually pretty easy for her, but that may be different for yours. So depending on how they like the car is a big deal. If their ok with the car, then I say go for it. But if they just absolutely hate the car, then I say air travel. I'm not experienced with sending my pets on air travel, though we were thinking about it...
I'd talk to your local vet about it.

Answer 5

We moved from Pgh.,Pa. to San Antonio, and put our German Shepherd on a plane the same time we were leaving. My husband drove, and I and my youngest daughter flew and the dog was on the plane in a large crate as well. We even had a lay over in Chicago for a short period, and she did very well. I wouldnt do it often, but if your dog is in good health, and its not the very hot summer months, I believe that he would be alright. You can talk to the airlines. I have heard that Continental is very good with pets, you can contact them and see what they have to offer for pets flying. Good luck!