What we do for our pets

Hi everyone.  I'm new here and so glad this forum exists.
My DH and I are moving to London for two years.  I want to take our chihuahua there.  We found out about the new regs, so we already had Lola chipped, vaccinated and blood-tested two weeks ago.  I will have to stay behind until July, without my husband, so that my dog won't have to go into Quarantine in the UK.
What I am finding out is that even if I do what's required, Lola can't fly in the cabin with me.  She must still be in Cargo.  Am I correct in assuming this?
Delta and United won't fly pets to the UK PERIOD.  Neither in the cabin or in cargo.
Is flying her in Cargo not a bad experience?
I am in such a quandry I am almost considering staying back in the US for the two years my husband is in the UK.  We already have to leave our other two dogs with my mother.
It feels as if I have to choose between my dogs and my husband. 

Cargo is fine! We've all done it. 

I think it's lovely that you're staying behind for Lola. She's a lucky little dog.

I flew my rhodesian ridgeback/airdale terrier over here in 2006 and flying her back to SF this summer.  We flew over on BA and will probably fly back on Virgin.  The pet cargo area is fine!  Temperature controlled and all the people I dealt with were amazing.  They know they are flying our "children" and that we will be worried sick until they are off that plane!

It's great you are not doing the quarantine thing, I could never ever put any pet of mine through that.

I'm sure your Lola will be fine flying!  Just think of it as a short adventure for her! 

Do you know if there are restrictions as to time of year I can fly with her?  I assume if the cargo area is climate controlled that I can fly with her anytime?
Thanks so much for the info.

Do you know if there are restrictions as to time of year I can fly with her?  I assume if the cargo area is climate controlled that I can fly with her anytime?
Thanks so much for the info.

I'm not sure if there are restrictions about the time of year, but I wouldn't think so. Try phoning the airline directly and asking them. I came over in mid-June and, like jenn, I flew BA.

I think if the runway temp is really hot and there are no climate controlled vehicles to get the animals to the terminal, there *may* be restrictions on the time you can fly. But I think this may impact the US with it's super-hot summers far more than the UK. As Chary said, check with the airlines.

I flew my two older cats on Continental in cargo at the beginning of January 2006. They were fine and the Continental cargo people at Newark were really great.

I have seen airlines mention certain temperatures they will not fly pets above or below, for the reasons balmerhon mentioned. I can't remember where I saw it though...

I flew my two older cats on Continental in cargo at the beginning of January 2006. They were fine and the Continental cargo people at Newark were really great.

Dh & I flew my 2 cats  out of Newark on Continental as well in March 2005 we didn't have any problems either.   

I have seen airlines mention certain temperatures they will not fly pets above or below, for the reasons balmerhon mentioned. I can't remember where I saw it though...

I have seen that somewhere as well but I cant remember either where I saw it.

Lola can't fly in the cabin with me.  She must still be in Cargo. 

That's exactly what my husband says every time we get on a plane.   

That's exactly what my husband says every time we get on a plane.   

hahahah! too funny !

I do know that some airlines have temperature restrictions.  I flew out of Minneapolis in the middle of December on Northwest and made it by 2 degrees!  If it was colder than a certain temp they wouldn't fly them and if it was hotter than a certain, the same as well. But this is pretty easily solved just by ringing the airline and asking.  Sometimes it's even posted on their website.  The reason they told me they had temperature regulations is because when they are loading the kennels they can sit on the tarmac for a while and they only want to have the animal's best interest at heart.

I've flown my cat cargo all over the place.  I've never had ANY problems. 

It is the best way to go because if you put her in an under the seat box, it  is just too restrictive.  That's fine for a short haul flight but a major cross-atlantic flight, it's cruel. 

Better that she is in a crate where she can get up and move around.  She'll be fine. 

The dog can only fly certain routes according to the DEFRA scheme.  Check on the DEFRA website to see what those routes are.  I flew my two dogs (one a Chihuahua) over here in November on Virgin.  They were absolutely fantastic!  Both dogs arrived happy, healthy, and ready to go home.  I have also heard that Continental is very very good with animals.

The people at the Animal Reception Centre were lovely as well.  One of my dogs, who was very frightened by the whole ordeal (he has never enjoyed cars either), was brought out in the arms of one of the vets, where he apparently had been for an hour and a half just snuggling and being reassured whilst they checked the paperwork, etc.  The other dog (Chihuahua) had been playing with another vet and I could hear his play barking from the waiting room.

Nothing to worry about!  Your dog will be well looked after!

Also, there are weather restrictions.  Check with the airline you intend to use.