Cats to UK - complicated....

Thats quite a reassuring post MrsPink. I think that is just what was needed!!  Even for those of us who have already done it.  I know for me, i often wonder about flying back to the states if we move but your post made me feel better about it.

glad to help!   

This is all really helpful. Those are great tips, Mrs. Pink. Sounds like you're a pro!

Yes, we are now considering driving to Chicago and all flying out together. I don't know why I hadn't thought of that earlier.

Shugga, thanks for the PM. I tried to send you a reply but obviously didn't know what I was doing and sent it into oblivion. I will try to recollect my thoughts and pose the questions again. I was wondering whether the courier just handled everything out of NY or if they took care of things in Indiana. And I also wondered what their fees were. I'm not sure my husband is going to want to shell out any more than we already have in sending this cat to England. But perhaps flying him out of Chicago early in the morning is the answer.

The airline stats scare me. Every airline that flies animals now has to report their stats on "losses" and "deaths" (which by the way - what are "losses". I mean, how to they lose them??)  Most seem to be about 2-5 a year. 

ask courtney....her cat got loose in the cargo area and it took a day or so to find him.

I'm sure glad they found him.

I wasn't try to scare anyone with my post. It's just a reflection of my own anxiety, since my cats are like my children and I wouldn't want anything to happen to them.  I was very upset when I looked at PETS rules about how pets cannot be up in the plane with you, but have to travel in Cargo. Though I guess I knew that my 20 lb. cat could not have fit under the seat

Trust me, it is better for them in the cargo hold.  If you get an under the seat carrier, then the cat is restricted in its movement for the entire flight + and that is also stressful. 

I absolutely understand about feeling like your cats are children.  Our cat means more to us than anyone could ever imagine so we NEED her with us wherever we go!

The airline stats scare me. Every airline that flies animals now has to report their stats on "losses" and "deaths" (which by the way - what are "losses". I mean, how to they lose them??)  Most seem to be about 2-5 a year. 

Well, the vet that I use to take my cats to to get them ready for their trip to the UK is a USDA certified vet, and is the local outlet for the "lost" animals. She told me that recently she got called to the airport to collect a German Shepard (sp?) that was supposed to go to Albany, GA and instead ended up here (Albany, NY) and had to be cared fo until the time of another connecting flight or route could be determined....

So at least that's one explanation of a loss.
I suspect that the others aren't half so innocuous...*but I am trying to keep a positive attitude as I get closer to sending my kitties on a plane to the UK*

Has anyone taken a domestic flight with their pets and switched to an international flight? (Say, we fly American Airlines to Chicago and fly British Air from there to the UK.) Do domestic flights have different regulations? What exactly does someone need to fly a pet within the US?

Has anyone taken a domestic flight with their pets and switched to an international flight? (Say, we fly American Airlines to Chicago and fly British Air from there to the UK.) Do domestic flights have different regulations? What exactly does someone need to fly a pet within the US?

You really need to call the specific airline for this.  Every airline is different.