Travel internationally with a dog
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Anonymous
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Hi!
I was just wondering if anyone here has traveled abroad with their dog? I am taking my dog to Europe at the end of August and I'm just curious. I am pretty sure I have everything under control, I have done my research (started checking already when I got her 2 years ago), but it would be nice to get in touch with someone who has done it before. I will be taking her to Denmark, if anyone's interested. She's just had a microchip implanted, and next week I will have her vaccinated for Rabies again, since they require that to be done after implanting the chip. I will also make sure to get the health certificate required, get the right crate, inform Danish customs of our planned arrival... is there anything else that I am missing? Anyone who knows? I really am pretty sure that I know what needs to be done, but a second opinion wouldn't hurt. Does anyone know the procedure, and do you know if I seem to be forgetting something? This dog was given to me down in Mexico 2 years ago, she was taken in from the street as a small puppy, so it wasn't really my choice to get a dog at all. However, once I had her, I knew I had to do everything I could to keep her happy and safe. She lived with me for 2 years in Mexico, and I've just gone through some extra trouble (totally worth it!) to get her to D.C by car. I know that flying with a dog isn't ideal, but I really can't give up on her now, and since my only chance to get her to Europe is by plane - that's what I'll do. She came into my life very unexpectedly, but I have to admit she has changed it completely. It's pretty amazing how a dog can change your perspective of things. =) |
Anonymous
| bye bye doggy…don't do this. |
Anonymous
| not a good idea... be sure to look at each country's quarantine laws, among other things. |
Anonymous
| Aren't quarantine times like months? |
Anonymous
No advice, but this is so sweet. |
Anonymous
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I would not put a dog in a crate on the tarmac in August. Some airlines won't even take dogs in the summer. It's unsafe and dogs do not do well - some die.
Denmark doesnt have a pet quarantine for animals that have the qualifications yours does. I'd wait until the fall. |
Anonymous
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OP,
Are you re-locating or is this for a trip? If the latter, I would find a dog sitter for her. If you are going to be living longer term overseas, I would check with the airlines and your vet. It used to be that some small dogs could travel in carriers under the seat. I don't know if that is still the case. Larger dogs travel in cargo areas of the plane. This can be very cold and stressful for the animal. I knew a guy whose dog barked so much on an overseas flight that her esophagus ruptured and she died. A sedative might be in order. |
Anonymous
+1 |
Anonymous
Oh great to see you're all so positive.  I don't have much of a choice, unless I want to give her up, do I? Can't stay in the US longer than that (Visa Waiver regulations), so I have no choice but to give it a try.
And no, correct, there is no quarantine for pets coming into Denmark. I already know all the risks of doing this, but she deserves at least a chance to get to spend the rest of her life with me. I'll be flying early evening in the end of August, and it's a direct flight, so hopefully it'll be okay. Lots of you really are incredibly negative though! =S I'm just trying to do the right thing here, which after a ton of consideration, I believe to be at least TRYING to bring her with me. |
Anonymous
Oh yeah, in case it wasn't clear, I'm the person who started this thread. =) And to answer someone's question, yes, I am relocating, so it is not just a trip. |
Anonymous
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OP, I really enjoyed reading your post. Your dog is so lucky to have you as her owner!
That said, sorry to say, there have been some horrible stories in the news at least over the last few years about beloved pets dying in transit. PPs are right, summer's not a great time to be transporting your dog via plane. I take your point about traveling at night, but it's still quite warm at night in the summer. Why don't you call the airline and ask to speak to someone about your concerns? See if you can map out what your dog's experience will be. Not to unsettle you, but I suggest googling dog deaths in relation to the airline you're taking to get a sense of whether they've had problems before, and, if so, how they've handled them. It wouldn't hurt to talk to your vet, too - ask him/her what pet owners have told them about their experiences. Worst-case scenario: if your research doesn't reassure you that everything should be okay, is there someone in the DC area who can take your pet for a few months until the weather cools? |
Anonymous
| I would not do this now. I would find someone to foster your dog for three months and ship her in October. |
Anonymous
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OP here. I really wish there was someone who could take her, but unfortunately I don't think that there is.
Like I said, I am very aware of the statistics... unfortunately. =( I have googled and read death- and injury reports from most airlines for the past year, just to get an idea. There are some websites providing very specific information. The I already have the dog confirmed by the airline to come with me, so it looks like they might at least accept the dog... but yes, I know the risks. However, my dog has lived in Mexico, and last summer she unfortunately lived outside in a backyard (she was not under my care at that point, and down there most dogs her size are kept outside), where it was up to 122 degrees (!!!) for about 3 months. No dog should have to go through that, but she survived, so she is extremely used to heat. Unfortunately. That gives me some hope that she could make it, even if it might be a little hot when we depart. She is also very calm and used to different situations, so as awful as it sounds, I hope for the best. This isn't ideal, but I could never live with myself if I didn't try. If somehow she doesn't make it (awful thought), at least I will know that I tried to give her the life that she deserves. =/ |
Anonymous
So you didn't actually want advice, just is to say "yay you"? So it really is about your emotional gratification and not about the best interests of a dog. If you really cared about the dogs welfare, you wouldn't put a dog on a plane in the summer, especially for an international flight. But okay, "yay you". |
Anonymous
| OP here. Hmmm perhaps you should read my first post again. I actually never asked for advice to whether or not I should do it, I asked for advice on HOW to do it, from someone who might have traveled to Europe before. If there are any preparations that I'm missing. =) Not expecting any "yay" me's. =) |