Flying Dogs

[CrapAtCryptics]

Has anyone ever taken their dog with them on a longish flight - I`d be interested to know where the dog is kept and what levels of care it gets and whether you can visit it. I`m considering an extended stay in Australia and wouldnt want to leave him in kennels that long.

[woofgang]

I did this but more than 20 years ago when we flew from the UK to America. Not sure if anything has changed. Only certain airlines fly pets at all. They have to have pressurised temperature controlled baggage space. No you can’t visit the dog en route, he must stay in his travel crate (also called a sky kennel) for the whole of the airtime. If there is a stop over then he may be allowed a leg stretch out of the crate...depends where the stop over is and the staff.
We did it because my husband’s job moved overseas and we were not expecting to return to the Uk during the lifetime of the dog. In the event we did have to return and the poor boy had to do quarantine, which, of course is no longer required.
useful stuff here
http://www.agriculture.gov.au/cats-dogs
and back again
https://www.gov.uk/take-pet-abroad/travel-within-the-eu

[CrapAtCryptics]

Many thanks for your comprehensive reply

[237SJ]

Australia isn`t a longish flight. It`s a long flight. Personally I wouldn`t want to put an animal through that unless I was emigrating to there. Could you not find an animal adopter who would look after your dog while you are gone?

[CrapAtCryptics]

its only a possibility - as you say its a long flight and I wouldnt want to put him through that if I could help it - I do have friends who like him enough to look after him for a fewer days but 3 months is to restrictive

[237SJ]

The animal will be in the hold. You can put food in their container but drink is a problem. I have known people to fill the feeding bowl with water and then freeze it so that the animal can lick the ice. That isn`t going to work with a long flight though. Maybe there are other options regarding fluids if you Google. I have known flight delays at Heathrow on very hot days and nobody thought to make sure that the animal in the hold was OK.

[Buenchico]

My flight back from Oz was 26 hours. That's a hell of a long time to leave a dog in a confined space, with no exercise and no opportunity to widdle or poo (other than in the crate that the poor thing's stuck in). In practice, you'd probably need to get the dog crated up and boarded several hours before the flight, with similar delays at the other end. So that could be THIRTY HOURS of torture for your canine friend!

Even then, the distress won't be over, as there will be a minimum 10 day quarantine period before you can be re-united with Fido.

If you're still determined to go through with it, you should note that you have to start the formalities AT LEAST SIX MONTHS before your flight:
http://www.agriculture.gov.au/cats-dogs/step-by-step-guides/category-3-step-by-step-guide-for-dogs#step-4-rabies-neutralising-antibody-titre-rnat-test-and-waiting-periodtimeframe-between-180-days-and-24-months-before-export

[Buenchico]

Relevant links:
http://www.britishairways.com/en-gb/information/travel-assistance/travelling-with-pets

http://www.qantas.com/travel/airlines/travelling-with-pets/global/en

[CrapAtCryptics]

I was doubtful about flying anyway for all the reasons you all state - is it possible to go by freighter and take the furry one - I know some have passenger spaces for those who cant / wont fly - at least he could walk around the decks and probably get off at stops.

[mikey4444]

CrapAtCrypics....Reading all these replies, I certainly wouldn't to put my dog through what sounds like an awful ordeal . The kennels are a much better option, unless you have a friend or relative that you can trust ( I don't ! )

[Prudie]

I'm a bit surprised at all the negative answers, I thought lots of people do this and the major airlines are used to it - racehorses for example are taken to Australia, Saudi etc etc. I thought your vet could provide a sedative too.On balance 24 hours on a plane,properly managed, is a far better option for your dog than being separated and left in kennels for 3 months.

[CrapAtCryptics]

its probably a non starter although I am sure he would love it there, as we do, but maybe with some of the colourful wildlife and bugs there probably not a good idea.

[atalanta]

Racehorses are a very very unusual case. There are airlines which specialise in carrying horses, which may be sedated and must be accompanied. For my sins, I once shared an aircraft with a horse, ( it's a long story ) and the veterinary attendant had to be prepared to inject the animal with a killer drug if it got out of control. No comparison with carrying pets.

[Wrangler3]

I work for an airline and I would never recommend putting any loved pet through the ordeal of a flight to Oz. As one of the respondents already said you are looking at an elapsed time of well over 24 hours in a confined cage, in a dark hold. There are no facilities for the poor animal to relieve himself and dogs as you know do not like to mess in their own environments. It is a stressful and cruel ordeal in my opinion and distressful for the owner. It is not unknown for dogs to die as well. Please find a foster-mum for three months and enjoy your holiday, safe in the knowledge that you will have a fantastic reunion on your return.

[CrapAtCryptics]

It was a basic enquiry and I`d never put him through all that - many thanks to everyone who replied.

[woofgang]

Prudie, its not thought sensible to sedate dogs to fly. When racehorses fly they are monitored constantly but dogs (and cats) are left alone.