Pet help!!

Alright so apparently when one thing goes right everything else goes wrong...

I’m in a situation where my family is totally flaking on me to the point I can’t afford to use the transport service to ship my cat.

Can anyone tell me in steps how they did it without a transport company, the cost, and how long it took to get all the certificates needed for travel?

Feeling like an idiot for having to figure this out 30 days before I leave and not thinking of a back up plan in the first place. 

Has your cat been microchipped and had the rabies vaccine, in that order? That's the first step so if not, get that done asap.

We came over 4 years ago now so there may have been changes since then but I studied the Deffra site first. All that information is now on the .gov site here.

https://www.gov.uk/take-pet-abroad

Then I called my local USDA office and had them explain the process in terms of the timing of the certificates, they were great.

https://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app

Then I called the airline, I used United, to find out their specific requirements in terms of booking, crate requirements, price etc.

Has your cat been microchipped and had the rabies vaccine, in that order? That's the first step so if not, get that done asap.

We came over 4 years ago now so there may have been changes since then but I studied the Deffra site first. All that information is now on the .gov site here.

https://www.gov.uk/take-pet-abroad

Then I called my local USDA office and had them explain the process in terms of the timing of the certificates, they were great.

https://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app

Then I called the airline, I used United, to find out their specific requirements in terms of booking, crate requirements, price etc.

Thanks Larrabee, he’s been microchipped and has had his rabies vaccine in that order. I already started to get him prepared to go with the transport company but that’s not going to happen. I’m going to call USDA to see if this is possible in the time I have. He has an appointment on Tuesday with the vet anyway so hopefully I can get the info I need and go from there.

@larrabee if you can remember, how much did the flight cost, USDA endorsement etc.

Also do you think it’s feasible in the time I have, if I’m leaving on Nov 11?

My brain is about to explode...

@larrabee if you can remember, how much did the flight cost, USDA endorsement etc.

Also do you think it’s feasible in the time I have, if I’m leaving on Nov 11?

My brain is about to explode...

Take a step back and a deep breath and start a todo list! 

I think the flight for 2 cats on United from LAX cost around $2,200. USDA endorsement of the paperwork was not much at all, $30 or thereabout and the vets visits were a few hundred, say around $300, but I'm guessing a bit.
Crates were approx $55.

If there is availability on the flight then it is definitely feasible to do it yourself in that time frame. 

Thank you so much for this! Yes I need to just stop and breathe lol.

I imagine your timeframe is absolutely fine.  Make a checklist and tick things off as you do them.  It'll make you feel more in control.   

I imagine your timeframe is absolutely fine.  Make a checklist and tick things off as you do them.  It'll make you feel more in control.   

Thank you KFdancer and Larrabee! I made a checklist and called American Airlines since they are an approved route to Manchester and they quoted me 636.25 for his flight which is amazing and now I just have to figure out custom fees and purchase his crate and get the USDA endorsement

Thank you KFdancer and Larrabee! I made a checklist and called American Airlines since they are an approved route to Manchester and they quoted me 636.25 for his flight which is amazing and now I just have to figure out custom fees and purchase his crate and get the USDA endorsement

Excellent! When I booked ours, the customs fees were included in the airfare price that I was quoted.
You should get in touch with the pet reception centre in Manchester too. They'll be able to help you with that end of things and check that your paperwork is ok before you leave.

I used Sue at Manchester Airport to sort out the cats coming into the country.  Then I used a courier to collect them and transport them to my house.  They worked together (although I had contacted them separately - they are used to doing this!).

They kept me informed of everything and were fabulous. 

You can do this. 


Sue@jamescargo.com

 

James Cargo Services Ltd

(Inc JCS Livestock)

Manchester M23 9LE

Tel: +44 (0) 161 946 1339

Fax: +44 (0)  161 946 1738

Web: www.jamescargo.com

 

I used Sue at Manchester Airport to sort out the cats coming into the country.  Then I used a courier to collect them and transport them to my house.  They worked together (although I had contacted them separately - they are used to doing this!).

They kept me informed of everything and were fabulous. 

You can do this. 


Sue@jamescargo.com

 

James Cargo Services Ltd

(Inc JCS Livestock)

Manchester M23 9LE

Tel: +44 (0) 161 946 1339

Fax: +44 (0)  161 946 1738

Web: www.jamescargo.com

Thank you so so much blossom!!!

Here’s my other question, has anyone had to ship their pet after they arrived. After the 5 day window? Just trying to have all the options available to me

I know the ARC will review your paperwork before you applybif you ask them to.  They'll have you email it over.

I came before the new 5 day rule.

I was worried about the cats and I travelling within the same time window.  When I spoke to Sue at the place in Manchester Airport she reassured me that they just tax you (of course!).  Not sure about the details - but I travelled over on the 6th June and four of the cats arrived on the 13th June.  Then another three arrived  couple of weeks later.

Where will you settle?