Costs

Hi, I apologise for asking a vague question, but I am starting to stress out about what I have left to do.

Can anyone give me a ball park idea for shipping one dog from Boston to the UK??

Many thanks for any help offered.

Mick

It's really going to depend on the size of the dog, airline, when you arrive at customs, etc. I flew two cats from Newark to Gatwick on Continental and the cost of their flight was $1076 total for both cats (two seperate carriers) and the customs fee was $125. They weigh your pet in its crate and that's an additional amount per kilo. This cost didn't include all of the costs of preparing the pets to move (vet visits, paperwork, etc.). I would say all in all I spent about $1800 to move two cats. But it was worth it! 

I'm planning to move my cat from Boston to the UK. I just contacted BA for an estimate. Here are my costs so far:

Microchip $41
Rabies Vaccination $18
Vet Visit 1 (consultation): $45

Vet Visit 2 (blood draw)
Sedation (my kitty does not do well at the vet) $45
Blood Draw: $40
Lab costs: $40?
Visit: $45

I got an estimate from BA for a 16lb cat at about $820. I called the World Cargo in Boston for the estimate and also brought down my cat in her carrier to see if it was the right fit. I can give you the number if you want. They just need the carrier's dimensions and your pet's weight for the estimate.

They also need the tick and tapeworm treatment, a fee to send the paperwork to the USDA vet in Sutton, and the fee once in the UK. I'm looking at slightly over $1,000 to get my cat over there. I'm hoping to be able to afford to bring my cat. Good luck with getting your dog over there.

I moved with my 55 pound dog from San Francisco to Bristol.  Her airline ticket with BA cost just over $2000.  Not including vet bills and crate costs.  Good luck!

Thanks everyone.

Molly, springer spaniel, is just over 50lbs, she has had thus far all the paperwork done and I am about to submit all that to the USDA vet for his/her part.

I would appreciate any contact numbers you have, and I cannot begin to thank you enough for your input.

Thanks so much

Mick

Sounds like you've done the hard part! The rest should be a piece of cake. When you book Molly's flight, the airline should tell you all the info they'll need and tell you if you need to call someone in the UK. I had to call Continental's contact at Gatwick a couple of days before we left and fax them a simple form.

Good luck!

What concerns me a little is I seem to have done the 'cheap bit', not of course that you can put a price on your pet, but the additional cost is, to me anyway. quite staggering :-(

Here's the summary of my PETS costs for a 24lb dog and two 11lb cats.  http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=28372.0

If you fly on an airline that bills by animal weight, remember that the crates are heavy and may push you into the next weight category.

If you fly on an airline that bills by animal weight, remember that the crates are heavy and may push you into the next weight category.

Yup. I flew from Boston on BA, but it was back in 2003, so things may have changed. At the time, they charged based on weight (cat + crate) as well as the dimensions of the crate. You need a big enough crate for your pet to be comfortable and to be able to turn around, but if you get one too big, you'll wind up paying even more. It's a decision you'll have to make -- do you want mega-room for your pet? Do you want to pay a fortune? Ack.

Good luck to you and your dog, Mick! 

I have PMed you the number, good luck! I hope it's not too expensive.

Thanks so much everyone, and for the number too.

I had to leave voicemail with BA, but I also contacted Virgin, who e-mailed me out a packet, which seems pretty helpful.

Based on the fact that the measurement of the cage, volumetric, is heavier than the animal, it seems that it will cost a minimum of $1500, but only if the XL cage is big enough for a springer, I guess I need to measure her.

I am sooo stressed!!

Thank you!!!