Another PETS question

Have you tried lobbying any other airlines, Grant? I'm not sure who else flies into Bristol, but it might be worth a shot. Couldn't do any harm, anyway. I really feel for you and hope things work out! I remember how desperate I felt a couple of years ago, not knowing for sure if I'd be able to bring my baby with me. Fortunately, it all worked out for me, and I hope it does for you too! Best of luck!

I read somewhere that France does not have such quarantines and that people have gone to France first for 6 months, and then moved to the UK.  This 6 months then qualified the animal entry into the UK. 

I know!! I have friends in Luxembourg, and I was actually contemplating doing that very same thing if PETS hadn't passed when it did in time for my move!

Early release is possible.  If your animal still has a few months or weeks to meet the 6 month quarantine, you can have your animal finish the quarantine here until the 6 months are up. 

Unfortunately,  Continental is the only airline to do the NY-BRS route.  So they are the only company I can pressure.  I just posted on another thread that brought up the option of flying an unapproved route, checking the animal VERY briefly into quarantine and get early release.  I guess the theory is that you save a TON of money and time.  Does anyone else know anything more about this?

Even on the passport program you can fly your pet in through France as excess baggage at about a sixth of the money it cost to fly into the UK in cargo, then ferry across. I thought about doing that too.

Grant , in case you dont see my reply to another post. You can fly into France excess baggage at a MUCH lower cost and ferry to the UK
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1668567

New News:

Defra responded to me with a (as of now unpublished on the site) list of approved air routes to Bristol.  None of them however are from NY, and they are "for the summer season only."  Why they are for the summer season only and have not been posted on the site is beyond me, but it's some progress.  I just hope this means there will be some route approved to bristol by fall (then I can just go to Spain first or something).
Here's the list:
* Lanzarote - Arrecife to Bristol International with Britannia Cargo
* Spain - Malaga to Bristol International with Britannia Cargo
* Spain - Mahon to Bristol International with Britannia Cargo
* Spain - Palma to Bristol International with Britannia Cargo
* Tenerife to Bristol International with Britannia Cargo
* Gran Canaria to Bristol International with Britannia Cargo
* Ibiza to Bristol International with Britannia Cargo
* Italy - Naples to Bristol International with Britannia Cargo
* Greece - Corfu to Bristol International with Britannia Cargo
* Greece - Heraklion to Bristol International with Britannia Cargo
* Greece - Thessalonika to Bristol International with Britannia Cargo
* Cyprus - Larnaca to Bristol International with Britannia Cargo
* Cyprus - Paphos to Bristol International with Britannia Cargo
(the above routes are summer season only)

Yes, you have to purchase the crates. 

Call the cargo people at the airline you are using for advice on where to drop off the pets.  I used British Airways from Boston to London.  My cat was dropped off at the cargo building in South Boston.  I went on alone to the airport in East Boston. 

BTW, the cat was fine--fed, litter boxed, and exercised.  I was a wreck.

I had no idea you could let the pet travel without you!!!  That is great news!  I thought I was going to have to coordinate my flight with all the PETS "stuff" - that is good to know.  I haven't even begun to look into the whole PETS thing, other than a quick review of the website - I'm just worried about visas for the two of us, wedding plans, finding a job, selling a house, moving a household........need I say more?   

----as they all say....been there, done that---- 

~Liza

http://www.animaltransportation.com/index.htm

I sent them a request for some fee information and other questions.  I'm wondering if anyone has heard of them or used them.  Sounds too good to be true to me!!!!

~Liza

I haven't heard of that one specifically, but when I still thought I could afford to bring my Molly over I did get in touch with one in San Francisco and I was SO impressed. Not only do they take all the worry out of it (i.e. "am I doing this right?") but they were total animal people and made me feel SO much better about the whole thing. If I had to do it all over again, I'd have used some of the money I made selling my car to use them rather than frittering it away on things like a bed once I got here. 

Check out this thread
http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=15062.45 and go to the end of the thread. 
I hired a professional pet shipper, Jane Edwards with BKS International, to help me move my dog from Houston to the UK, and I told her about uk-yankee last night, so she posted a note today, offering advice to anyone who needs it.  She is great!!! 

Hi, if I can help anyone with questions about moving your dog or cat from the USA to the UK, please let me know and post on the other pet thread - How did your dog/cat take the flight. With regard to OATS, they are a good company and if they are close to where you are leaving from I can recommend them.  You may want to get several quotes though.  To find a pet shipper in your area go to www.IPATA.com .  You may find a vast difference in prices quotes for the same shipment from different shippers so be careful.

Thanks
Jane
BKS International Pet Shipping, Inc
Houston, Texas
(yes I'm a Brit!!)

Thanks so much Jane!!!  This will be a great help.  I won't be moving till after April next year, but want to have everything sorted before then regarding who I will be using, etc.

Thanks!!  And welcome to UKY!

~Liza

Hi all,
 I did see the post about dog travel and how well did they take it,but I really am confused as to what the first thing I am supposed to do with him really is.I did check out some of the sights suggested and that helped.
What paperwork am I supposed to be getting?I am coming end of January,but I see that would be cold for Emmitt to fly from NY.So I will leave him at parents house,but want to get started with his paperwork.
                              Thanks.
                                    Tricia