Flying Pets?

[Feralpeg]

Okay, guys. I have a big decision to make. My sister, DD and I are moving to Orlando in June. Both my sister and I have pets. I have two golden retrievers and two cats. My sister has a small dog and two cats. We originally planned on driving from Kansas City to Orlando with the animals. The problem is that neither my sister or I can drive for long periods of time. Neither of us can see well at night. Due to a hip problem, I can only sit in a car for a few hours. Both of our cars are getting older. My car is 5 years old and my sister's is 6 years old. Before we could set out, we would both have to have some work done on them. I would have to get all new tires. The cost of the work on my car would probably run around $1200. Both of our cars are large SUVs. Once we get to Orlando, we plan on trading them. We won't need big SUVs there.

Has anyone ever shipped an animal? I've done some investigation and some of the airlines have special holding facilities and pressurized compartments for flying animals. It is very expensive. To ship my animals, it would cost me about $1500. I'm sure it will be stressful for the animals, however being in the car and strange motel rooms will also be stressful. One of my cats gets car sick before we even leave our street. I don't know how she will react to flying. The airlines will not allow you to sedate animals before a flight.

Should I plan on shipping them? It will be a stressful trip, but will be over in about 5 hours (drop off time until I would pick them up in Orlando) versus a good three days on the road. If we drive, I will need to find hotels that allow pets (big pets). There will be the expense of hotels, food and gas.

If we decide to fly, we will sell our cars here and buy new ones in Orlando. We would need to either rent a van or hire one to pick us and the animals up at the airport and take us to our homes.

I just keep running over the logistics in my mind. I am really leary of letting our pets out of my sight, but I'm totally dreading the drive! Thoughts?

I'll be so glad when the move is actually over!

 

[monkeyboy]

I am sorry but I opened this think it was about pets that fly like birds and such.

Ever since I saw the Wizard of Oz as a child I wanted a flying monkey


http://www.petmovers.com/

 

[Feralpeg]

Monkeyboy, that's really funny! Sorry, my pets can't fly on their own. Thank you for the link! I sent them information asking for a quote. The fact that they will pick them up at my home and deliver them to my new home is wonderful. I really appreciate your help. I am definately leaning more toward flying!

 

[katerkat]

Flying them is pretty expensive, but you may be able to take the cats in the cabin with you as carry-on. They make cases that fit under the seats. Of course, wih the limits on carry-on, that means you can't really take much stuff for you on the plane! I think my SIL looked into carrying-on her little dog, and was told it would cost $80 in addition to her ticket.

Now, we've always drove with our boys, mainly because of the sedation issue. (Tycho would simply not make it through a trip without sedation!) We really had no trouble finding hotels that allow pets. (Though avoid Jameston Inns - they make you take a smoking room.) Is it possible to sell one car and only drive one SUV to Florida? I know with four pets, that doesn't leave much room for you! But DH and I will be driving 28 hours this spring with the two cats (they have a BIG cage because, well, they're spoiled) and everything we need for four months, so if we can, you can!

As for other driving issues, DH and I have found that stopping every two hours to switch drivers and stretch really, really helps. And I don't drive at night, either - can't see! But you can get a good 6-8 hours on the road before nightfall.

 

[Rajah]

We had Leo and Gabi shipped to us and had no trouble with them, but they were tiny kittens.

We also flew with Skye as a kitten bringing him back from Washington DC and again had no trouble. He was in-cabin with us.

From the breeder friends I have, most of them say they've had the best pet experiences with Delta.

For bringing the kitties in-cabin -- you can only have one animal per person in cabin, so that may or may not go.

Good luck.

 

[KristiKelly]

We bought our puppy from a breeder who ships most of her puppies out of state, her website has alot of info on the subject, go to www.lakeridgepetz.com and click on "about shipping". I hope this helps some.

 

[doxdogy]

Check with the airlines on any date restrictions. I have been told that some airlines will not fly pets during the warm months of the year to the south. I have never flown a pet, so I don't know if this is true or not.