10 lb. dog--Washington, DC to Heathrow?

Has anyone taken a small dog (or a cat, I imagine, would be about the same size) from DC to Heathrow?  We're wondering about how much it will cost to ship our dog over.  Of course we still have months of waiting before we can take him, but we're trying to figure out how much of our moving budget to allocate for this.

Thanks,

Jade

Read some of the other posts in this section, perhaps starting here? :

http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=22296.0

I actually have another question that someone may or may not be able to answer.  Did anyone look into taking their pet to another EU country, and then bringing them from there to the UK?  The costs to ship my pet seem exhorbitant and I'm looking for a way around them (he's such a small dog; I can't believe that it costs over $1000 to ship him!).  For example, could I ship my dog to Holland or France, and then bring him into the UK from there?  Anyone have any idea how much it costs to ship a small dog to one of these countries, or how I might go about finding this out?

Of course, this might be so complicated as to not be worth trying...

Also, Virgin Atlantic told me that there is a UK arrival fee of 220 pounds to be paid at Heathrow.  Does this arrival fee apply regardless of how the animal comes in (ferry, train, etc.)?

I know these are sort of strange questions, but I thought I'd ask on the off chance that anyone has looked into this.  I love my dog dearly but he's eating up more than 20% of our moving budget!

Jade

I actually have another question that someone may or may not be able to answer.  Did anyone look into taking their pet to another EU country, and then bringing them from there to the UK?  The costs to ship my pet seem exhorbitant and I'm looking for a way around them (he's such a small dog; I can't believe that it costs over $1000 to ship him!).  For example, could I ship my dog to Holland or France, and then bring him into the UK from there?  Anyone have any idea how much it costs to ship a small dog to one of these countries, or how I might go about finding this out?
Also, Virgin Atlantic told me that there is a UK arrival fee of 220 pounds to be paid at Heathrow.  Does this arrival fee apply regardless of how the animal comes in (ferry, train, etc.)?

It should NOT be that expensive to ship a ten pound dog.  I think you are being taken.  My dog 18lbs. was quoted at $600 (give or take $25) and that is the ONLY fee I will need to pay.  The arrival fee (as I have been told, its like 25GBP) and is included in the fee you pay the cargo company.

I don't know if you can enter from a EU country, but what I can suggest is that you look into another cargo company (BMI is good).  $1000 for a 10lb dog is RIDICULOUS!

It cost me about $700 in airport fees (on both ends) for my 10 lb. cat.

It cost me about $700 in airport fees (on both ends) for my 10 lb. cat.

I was told that I will only have to pay the cargo company and that there is no fee for when I arrive at Manchester.  Am I incorrect??

I had to pay Virgin Atlantic and also the Animal Reception Center in London. 

I had to pay Virgin Atlantic and also the Animal Reception Center in London. 

I just called the Manchester reception center and was told that I won't pay them anything.  Maybe its because you flew into London?  BMI says the UK import fee is only 50 pounds.

I just called the Manchester reception center and was told that I won't pay them anything.  Maybe its because you flew into London?  BMI says the UK import fee is only 50 pounds.

Well, s***, I got ripped off then!  Paid like 220 pounds before they released my girl.

Maybe I was given the wrong information, it wouldn't be the first time!  I'll let you know if I had to pay when I get there.  I can't believe how much this has cost me! Even if the flight is only $600 for my dog, I still have paid over $1,000 when you add up the vet bills.  Worth it, but I wouldn't do it again.  The USDA vet told me that people often take their dogs on vacation to the UK...could you imagine that!?!?!

We brought two cats from Washington to Heathrow and your costs are about what we paid. We paid the 220 to the Animal Center at Heathrow, although we only had to pay once to cover both cats. I hear these rumours of people who paid less, but we checked out several different airlines and couldn't find it. May have to do with where you go to/from. Or some companies may be including the fee in their charge. Or maybe its just luck of the draw - we've found that with a number of fees here.

We brought two cats from Washington to Heathrow and your costs are about what we paid. We paid the 220 to the Animal Center at Heathrow, although we only had to pay once to cover both cats. I hear these rumours of people who paid less, but we checked out several different airlines and couldn't find it. May have to do with where you go to/from. Or some companies may be including the fee in their charge. Or maybe its just luck of the draw - we've found that with a number of fees here.

I wonder if it has anything to do with the fact you both flew into Heathrow and I'm going to Manchester?  If I have to pay 220 pounds I'll be raging, because I was told on two seperate occasions no extra fee would be involved.

Last Sept, I sent my 2 cats by Continental, which I felt the most comfortable with, after speaking with BA, Northwest, etc.  Cats from Atlanta GA to London Gatwick--the freight charges were $539 each, and there was a $175 fee for the broker/agency that would "clear" the animals through customs.  All we had to do was pick the cats up at the Animal Reception Center--with no more fees to pay.  I think Continental charged by the size of the container, not weight.  The cats are 10 and 15 lbs each, and in their travel containers, they weighed 11.8 kg and 10 kg, but freight was still $USD 539 each.

Maybe I was given the wrong information, it wouldn't be the first time!  I'll let you know if I had to pay when I get there.  I can't believe how much this has cost me! Even if the flight is only $600 for my dog, I still have paid over $1,000 when you add up the vet bills.  Worth it, but I wouldn't do it again.  The USDA vet told me that people often take their dogs on vacation to the UK...could you imagine that!?!?!

I've always been afraid to add up everything: vet bills, USDA fees, the cost of the crate, travel expenses, etc.  I would probably have a heart attack.  I prefer to live in ignorant bliss   I wouldn't do it any other way though...no way I was leaving my cat!  But no way would I just decided to take my pet on a flight for a vacation...it's too much stress on the owner and the pet!

I'm sure the fee depends on where you fly into.  Everything is overpriced in London, so I'm not surprised it was so expensive!

I've always been afraid to add up everything: vet bills, USDA fees, the cost of the crate, travel expenses, etc.  I would probably have a heart attack.  I prefer to live in ignorant bliss   I wouldn't do it any other way though...no way I was leaving my cat! 

That's exactly how I felt! The fact was that my cat was coming with me -- no question. So I figured there was no point stressing over the money. I just had to pay it and not think too much about it afterwards.