Bringing my cat to england

Hi

ive been trying to read the website that explains all this but am totally lost.. ive read on ukyankee about people using different airlines.. but then i just read on http://www.britishembassy.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1098795823112
that you have to use approved travel? and from seattle it says all thats aloud is british airways... i dont understand? lol

Hello fellow Seattleite 

Here is the link to the Defra website, they are the org that manages the PETS scheme.

http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/pets/index.htm

BA is very likely the only approved route from Seattle and honestly, with everything I've been reading on these forums about other folks' experience and what I've researched in addition myself, it's really the only way to go.  It's non-stop and I hear the BA cargo folks are some of the best when it comes to handling pets and putting pet owners at ease. 

The PETS process is a bit daunting and if you search around you'll hear folks advise to start approx 8 months out in order to get everything done and also comply with the 6 month waiting period after the bloodwork, etc.  Lots of folks have done it though, give the Defra site a good read and then post some specific questions. I'm sure folks that have actually gone through the process can help summarize the steps. 

I'm contemplating the move to UK with my pets from Seattle so I'm always searching for info on folks having done so from the West coast as it's a much longer trip. 

Good luck!

BA is very likely the only approved route from Seattle and honestly, with everything I've been reading on these forums about other folks' experience and what I've researched in addition myself, it's really the only way to go.  It's non-stop and I hear the BA cargo folks are some of the best when it comes to handling pets and putting pet owners at ease. 

I have to disagree. I had a wonderful experience with Continental and wouldn't hesitate to recommend them. I was really nervous about my cats as they're a bit older. The airline employees were very helpful before the flight and I felt my cats were in good hands when I dropped them off at Newark airport. You could tell the people working there really cared about pets. They even let me come around the back to say goodbye to them.

But, if BA's your only approved route from Seattle, then you really have no choice. I'm sure they're great as well.

I had a fantastic experience with Northwest. You need to constantly check up on the approved airlines because sometimes they change.  If BA is the only approve route out of Seattle that's what you will have to use unless you want to fly from another city like I did.

BTW, continental was my second option but at the time I think I would have had to drive to Ohio.

Definitely go with a non-stop option if at all possible, but in my experience Continental was superb and reassuring when flying last July with my furry passenger.  I don't know about flying from Seattle though, and definitely go by what the DEFRA website says and find a vet with experience in doing the PETS travel scheme/passport to the UK.  Best of luck!