Bulldogs and Airlines

FYI, It is cheaper to take your dog via the QE2--about 400.00 USD than flying, and you may prefer the piece of mind.  Internal state rooms (no windows, no frills) will run you about 1000.00 per person double occupency.  The trip is 6 days long. 
We're using this to move myself, my min pin, and the contents of my apartment over in July. 

When you say contents of your apartment are you talking lots of boxes? I'm very intrigued by this idea! Did you have to let them know about how much you were bringing? I know the site says there isn't a limit but I wondered if at some point they'd say enough is enough!

I have a cat and for some reason taking him via ship (although longer than flying) sounds less traumatic.

I have a cat and for some reason taking him via ship (although longer than flying) sounds less traumatic.

I thought this too at first, but then the idea of my cats being in a kennel for 6 days seemed like an awfully long time. Flying them over seemed a bit like ripping off the Band-Aid quickly rather than a slow pull. I honestly think it's more traumatic for the owner than it is for the pet! My cats were treated like rock stars (and I was their lowly manager) at the airport the last time I flew them.

I thought this too at first, but then the idea of my cats being in a kennel for 6 days seemed like an awfully long time. Flying them over seemed a bit like ripping off the Band-Aid quickly rather than a slow pull. I honestly think it's more traumatic for the owner than it is for the pet! My cats were treated like rock stars (and I was their lowly manager) at the airport the last time I flew them.

I agree with the "quick Band-Aid" idea, and that my kitty too was treated with great care at both airports fore and aft. They take their jobs seriously, and the welfare of the animals flying seriously. Everyone at the ARC at Gatwick said my little boy was so sweet to them while being checked out before handover; my overall impression is that our flying pets are in very safe and caring hands with the people employed to process them through.

I booked about 2 months in advance.  I think there are a dozen or so large kennels, and a dozen small kennels?  I think the big kennels fill up a little faster.

I think someone posted in another thread that the kennels are booked up for a long time right now?

Oh, I love the idea of moving via the QM2.  I wanted to go on one of those cruises so badly and had honestly been thinking about it for my permanent move....I was just concerned about how to move the cat, but if I can bring him on the ship too...this might just have opened up a world of possibilities!

just an update -

because she isnt full blooded bulldog and doesnt really have snub nose she can fly virgin atlantic!
I just had to send photos of the side of her nose to show she wasnt like a pug or a real full blood english bulldog. and she had an actual nose and it wasnt pushed in.

I booked her flight and we fly over to get her next month!!
Oh my gooodness I miss her so so so so much!!

just an update -

because she isnt full blooded bulldog and doesnt really have snub nose she can fly virgin atlantic!
I just had to send photos of the side of her nose to show she wasnt like a pug or a real full blood english bulldog. and she had an actual nose and it wasnt pushed in.

I booked her flight and we fly over to get her next month!!
Oh my gooodness I miss her so so so so much!!

congrats!

Congrats valeriek!! That's great news! 

Does anyone know if the rule only applies to bulldogs? I ask because I have a Himalayan cat who has a pushed up nose. He has flown before and been fine (from Oklahoma to Boston.)

I think there are restrictions on when they can fly but don't quote me on that.  The airline explained this to me before but I forget. 

Thanks, goods! I guess I should just try phoning each airline and try my luck. 

Continental is the most flexible about heat restrictions because they take extra care with the animals--probably the most important is that they are in air-conditioned vans until they are put into the plane.  They have flights out of Newark to London.

nothing personal but god this has horrified me.............i have two chihuahuas to move with me to the uk in a couple of years.............someone please tell me that my babies will be safe and sound

hi again!!!
posting to ease some minds! and share MY final outcome!
this might be long!

****first of all... if you have a "snub nose" cat/dog (there is a list of snub nose cat/dogs online). you MUST check with the airline.
most airlines will NOT fly them. virgin will if they are a cross breed with a  non snub nose.. but you must send photos and have them approve your animal before they can fly.
Northwest/Delta will fly them under a certain temperature. (but as of beginning of April09 Northwest/Delta were not flying ANY animals into the UK)
also -NOT all flights into the UK are approved for flying pets.. the airline people I talked to dont seem to know this. you can find a list of approve routes on the DEFRA homepage.

AND - if you are flying a bulldog you must get a vet to sign a statement saying that your dog is NOT a pit bull terrier ****

ANYWAY -
my bulldog FINALLY (6 months and 1 day after the blood was drawn!) flew over on virgin last thursday.
we flew from boston to heathrow.
we got to virgin cargo in boston to drop her off and pay the $$££$£$££$£ around 3:30p
everyone was completely wonderful and totally loved on my pooch.
we got her in the crate and then left to go to the terminal.

we flew on the 7:45p flight
arriving at heathrow around 9:00a local time.. (we had to wait on the plane in boston for over an hour because of electrical issues..)

we got out of customs and got our baggage and called the PET WELCOMING CENTER (the number was with all the papers the virgin gave us in Boston) to see if our pooch had arrived.
They said she wasnt there yet and that would take 2 hours for her to be checked in and to take our time.. we loaded up our bags and headed over to the PWC anyway..
(which was a £24 cab ride from the airport UGHHHH!!!)

we got to the center and knocked on the blacked out door and asked about my dog.
they said she was there and fine and drinking water!! they were going to go over her paperwork and make sure everything was correct. YAAAY!

the PWC has a lounge with couches and vending machines and makes the wait a little more comfortable..

about an hour later the virgin rep came out.. i had to sign some papers, pay the final fee and then he handed me back all the original paperwork.
they took her leash and then 3 minutes later we had our dog!! 

They have a green walking area so you can take the dog for a potty after you get her/him.
SO TAKE A LEASH WITH YOU!!

she passed out on my boyfriend's lap the whole cab ride home but she's a bulldog and pretty much sleeps 90% of the time anyway. (the business cards on the coffee table for the cab company is actually cheaper than a metered cab and other ones that we called!)

So yeah.. my dog is completely fine. .. totally adjusted like it was nothing.
back into the daily routine and loves the parks and being able to hang out in pubs with us!


So after going through PETS on my own.. dealing with vets that have not done it before.
here is what I have to say..
DONT STESS.. it's really not that hard. it's just paperwork.
just do your research. treat it like a job and get it done.
Dont feel like a bother when you tell your vet that you need certain forms filled out/dated a specific way and make sure they do it right.
that's their job!

And dont worry about the flight.. i bet she got treated better than we did.
and she got to lay down on her comfy bed and actually sleep if she wanted!!