Has anyone used a shipper?

Right now I am a bit gutted.  Our cat was supposed to come over next month, but our friend has suddenly become unable to accompany our cat on the trip.  Because he is coming from Buffalo, it wouldn't be a matter of just dropping him at the airport.  There is a flight from Cleveland during the summer months and this is the flight we were planning on having our cat (and friend) take.

We could go over and pick him up ourselves, but neither of us drive.  This means that renting a car is out of the question.  We might explore something else along those lines if we can figure a way to get us from Buffalo to Cleveland with our cat.

The easiest option on everyone is probably hiring a pet transport company.  Has anyone one used one in the US?  If so, how was your experience?  Which one did you use, and would you recommend it? 

Right now I am a bit upset by everything.  I've wanted my cat here so badly.  Maybe if I had found this board before we tried to get him ready for PETS, I wouldn't be in this situation.  But it was so hard getting any vet in our area there who even had any clue about PETS.

I am so frustrated at this point.  We've spent so much money on this already, just to hit yet another obstacle.

I know that several folks on the boards have used (and recommended) Airborne Animals in the past:

http://www.airborneanimals.com/

They're expensive, but they basically exist to serve people in your situation. 

*hugs*  I know it's upsetting - I hope these folks (or another company) work out for you and you're reunited with your kitty very soon!!

Thanks, I will contact them tomorrow. 

Dh & I highly recommend Airborne Animals we used them to get my cats to the UK safe & sound without any problems March 05 they are very professional & very helpful.    

Continental does not require that pets be accompanied.

Continental does not require that pets be accompanied.

And they wouldn't be accompanied with a shipper.  The problem is in that there isn't an international flight between Buffalo and Gatwick and only one domestic flight that allows pets as cargo.

We are going with Airborne which is potentially going to be less stress then even if my friend was accompanying him.  So good news there.

We are going with Airborne which is potentially going to be less stress then even if my friend was accompanying him.  So good news there.

You wont be disappointed with Airborne they are so helpful & very professional I cant help but recommend them to anyone who needs a pet courier.   

I think it's all over except the waiting.  I am waiting to hear back from Airborne that all the info was received, but they have everything they need from us.  I think the next thing we have to do, besides buy some things we need for him, is pick him up from Gatwick in a few weeks.

He's here and safe with us.  Our friend definitely wasn't stingy with his food, and since October, I'd say he's gained about 7 pounds. 

He seems so happy to see us, and I was worried that he'd not recognise us.  Anyone who might not have a straight shot to the UK or might need someone to take care of the USDA vet paperwork, I'd not hesitate to recommend Airborne. 

Very happy right now.

Oh, hooray!!    So glad to hear that everything went well and that kitty is safe and sound with you now.

He's here and safe with us. 

He seems so happy to see us, and I was worried that he'd not recognise us.  Anyone who might not have a straight shot to the UK or might need someone to take care of the USDA vet paperwork, I'd not hesitate to recommend Airborne. 

Very happy right now.

Yeah I'm glad your kitty is here with you now.   

I'm glad your happy with Airborne they are such a wonderful company to work with.   

I wanted to explain the procedure in case it might help someone interested in using a shipper or even looking for alternatives to getting your animal from Gatwick other than driving or hiring a courier here.

We already completed the necessary vet visits and titre for PETS (although I am sure a shipper could help you with advice or for an extra fee, arrange for this to be taken care of).  We contacted Airborne and gave them some basic information and she gave us an estimate.  We agreed to the estimate and we had vet records faxed to her and gave her information for customs forms.  She hired a local agent who took care of the pre-flight vet visit and USDA paperwork.  We were contacted when our cat was on his way.

Picking him up, we took a regular local train to Gatwick (although there is an express from London Victoria), made our way to the taxi stand and took a cab to the cargo area.  Make sure your driver knows where it is because ours dropped us in the wrong place.  Call ahead and get the bay number.  After we found the place, we had to wait about 10 minutes in a little white room, and then we were told to go out and wait by some doors and he was brought out.  We called the cab company to pick us up, but made it clear it we had an animal with us.  Some drivers won't drive with an animal, even a crated one.

After being dropped off, we found our way back to the train station and waited for a train back to London.  We found a car with a bike/handicapped area, and it worked well for us.  Because it was a weekend (which costs more for the UK side of delivery btw), the train was crowded, so we tried to get the very end of the train.  Once at Victoria, we used a luggage trolley to take him across the station.  So trains are very much an option for those looking to avoid driving.

There's no question the trip was stressful for him, but not as bad as I thought it could be.  He's such a funny cat, and we are so glad he's here.  I am hoping we can get his weight down.  I was beyond shocked by his size.  I guess my friend thought that food would help him with missing us (which I guess he did do).

not to step on Airbornes toes here, but I highly recommend Par Air   http://www.parair.co.uk/
they will deliver your pet to your door(or the door of a quarantine facility) so your pet doesn't have the stress of trains and stations, just their specially equipped truck.   Lorry, excuse me! 

(Airborne may well also do this)

not to step on Airbornes toes here, but I highly recommend Par Air   http://www.parair.co.uk/
they will deliver your pet to your door(or the door of a quarantine facility) so your pet doesn't have the stress of trains and stations, just their specially equipped truck.   Lorry, excuse me! 

(Airborne may well also do this)

Airborne does this as well cause when we used them they delivered our cats to our door step. We were so glad cause neither of us was looking forward to driving with 2 cats in the car for over 3 hours each way on a Bank Holiday weekend thanks but no thanks lol.

Yep, we just weighed the options and decided to pick him up ourselves (and save a bit).