new development on the kitty-cat front

I was worrying a few days back about the temperature passing the 85 degree mark when we fly out in June. We've decided to avoid that problem by having our cat fly out with my husband in early May and stay at "Nana's" until we get there. So now I've got a panicked week ahead getting all the forms squared away, but if all goes well we will have the worry and uncertainty--regarding our cat--behind us. Whispasarah made a list on a previous post with all the documents she needed to get her cat across. I've got it taped on my fridge now. But I'm confused about two of the forms and am wondering if these are related to specific airlines. The Pet Travel Scheme Declaration Form (C-5): is this something all airlines require? Our cat will be travelling Northwest, and I can't find any info on how to download that form. She mentioned that British Air's customs dept. can e-mail this form. Is that form B.A. specific? Also, the Certificate of Acclimation from the airline, printed off the airline's website: I can't find this on the NWA website. They say that Northwest does not require a health certificate for accompanied pets. Would that be #5 or 6 on your list, Whispasarah?

I know I sound pretty muddled right now, but I've got to get all the forms together and sent off to Lansing for approval in the next day or two!

I guess I could have posted these questions on the PETS scheme for Dummies thread, but I didn't want to completely hijack.

Whispersarah! Sorry I called you Whispasarah. I've got chocolate on the brain!

According to DEFRA website this form is not longer needed

http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/pets/procedures/support-info/residency.htm

on the nwa website it only has a form for cold temperature so I assume you are ok. Here is the following stated on NWA website and linked at bottom.

Temperature Restrictions:

Northwest personnel will determine if the weather temperatures are in acceptable ranges at time of check-in. If your pet cannot be accommodated due to temperature limitations, Northwest personnel will work with you to arrange alternate dates for your pet to travel. Always contact our Reservations office or Cargo office prior to departing for the airport. We can advise you if temperatures for any point in the itinerary are too extreme on the day of travel.

Low Temperatures:

No animal travel (other than Carry-on) when the temperature at any point on the planned routing is below 10 degrees Fahrenheit (-12°C).
Choose mid-day flights when temperatures are likely to be warmer.
Dogs, cats, rabbits and other warm-blooded animals (except birds) traveling as Cargo must be accompanied by a Certificate of Acclimation, issued by a licensed veterinarian within 10 days prior to departure, when the temperature at any point on the planned routing is below 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 C).
Click here to access PDF version of the Certificate of Acclimation.
High Temperatures:

Animals will not be accepted on any Northwest flight if the temperature at ANY point on a planned itinerary is forecast to exceed 85 degrees Fahrenheit (29.5°C) at time of travel.
Choose early morning or late evening flights during summer, which avoid the worst heat of the day.
Brachycephalic (Snub-Nosed) dogs and cats are very sensitive to high temperatures and will not be accepted when temperatures at any point on the planned itinerary exceed 75 degrees Fahrenheit (24°C).
The following breeds are included in this restriction:

American Straffordshire Terrier
Boston Terrier
Boxer
Brussels Griffin
Bull Terrier
Dutch Pug
English Bulldog
English Toy Spaniel
French Bulldog
Japanese Spaniel (Japanese Chin)
Japanese Pug
Pekinese
Shih Tzu
Straffordshire Bull Terrier

http://www.nwa.com/services/shipping/cargo/products/liveanship.html#temperature

Hope that helps!

I have no extra advice for you, airmom, just wanted to say how glad I am that you've worked out a way to avoid the temperature problem for kitty-cat!

Thanks! I think we're in good shape. We're off to the vets today. If all goes well Percy will be meowing with a Wiltshire accent by the time the rest of us arrive!

Good luck with the voyage!

Okay, so I went to the vet and had her fill out and sign the 7001 form (for the 3rd and last time!) and scheduled the tick and worm check. Next, I went to Petco to look for the travel crate. I love these guys! They put all the small pet shops out of business and they are absolutely useless when you need any real information other than "Where's the cat food aisle?"  All they had were the hard plastic cat carriers with the metal grid door. This is probably not the one I need, right? If anyone has a brand they can recommend, then maybe I can order one online and get express delivery. I got the size requirements from Northwest Airlines, but they didn't really give an idea of what type of crate it should be.

Thanks, everyone, for providing so much helpful information and encouragement.  I will be a nervous wreck until my husband calls me from England next week to say, "Everything's fine."

I bought this one for my doggie and I've heard great things about them (hence, why I bought one!)

http://www.dog.com/itemdy00.asp?T1=101554+100&Cat=

I actually found one at my local farm store (Farm and Fleet). I was prepared to have to drive to the big city but what I found there was absolutely perfect!! it was airline certified and had the exact requirements!

Airmom, I bought my cat carrier from PetCo and it was fine. Just make sure it's the right size and is airline certified for international travel. There should be a label/seal thing on it somewhere indicating that. The hard ones with the metal grid are fine. The one I bought is collapsible, which is good as it's so much bigger than my usual carrier so storage would have been a b*tch!

I ended up ordering a VariKennel from a pet store. I called Northwest and they said it would be acceptible. I wish it was collapsible for storage ease, but I'm just glad to get my hands on one. I almost ordered something online, but it would have taken two weeks to get here unless I paid a fortune to express it.

Vari is the brand that our animal transport company recommended. What pet store did you get it from? 

Vari is the brand that our animal transport company recommended. What pet store did you get it from? 

Try dog.com. Great prices and fast shipping.

Smootie,
We got our VariKennel at a small pet store on the west side of Ann Arbor. Do you remember University Aquarium? They've been there of ages. I love their reptiles!