Bringing our dog on vacation back to the States - Scotland to California

Due to circumstances we're not going to be able leave our dog with family or friends when we go back to San Francisco for the holidays. We're thinking of bringing our dog with us. She's 8 so we're a bit concerned with either leaving her in a kennel or bringing her with us. Neither option is ideal. Has anyone ever brought a medium sized dog from the UK to California for the short period of about 3 weeks? We have an appointment with the vet the day after tomorrow so that's a good place to start. We've started looking at all the obvious things like the different vaccines she would need, pet passport, re-check in San Fran before going back to the UK.

If we do leave her here we're worried about the shock to her of not being with family. If she does stay here can anyone recommend a place that's more like a farm? We're in Edinburgh. Or just where she won't be locked in a cage over night?

Any advice would be much appreciated. Cheers!

How about getting a house sitter instead? My 19 yo DD is doing this for a family now...because they have an older dog...and plants.

I've thought about this but neither my hubby or myself is comfortable with a stranger staying in our home. We actually have work schedules that make it so our dog is never by herself for more than a few hours so we don't have someone like a dog walker who would be able to take her.

Just wondering why you wouldn't leave your dog in a kennel? There are some really lovely kennels out there, I pass one on a farm on my way to work everyday.

I board my cats while I go on holiday and they do absolutely fine, they are also older cats.

We would be willing to do something like leave the dog on a farm like kennel - anyone know anyone good ones in the Edinburgh area or the Borders?

We would be willing to do something like leave the dog on a farm like kennel - anyone know anyone good ones in the Edinburgh area or the Borders?

Ask your local vets or google it...surely taking the dog on a plane to the states would be MILES more stressful for the dog than leaving it in a kennel? I wouldn't put my cats through the stress of international travel. Your vet can probably suggest a nice kennel that you can have a look at before making your choice.

I've used Barking Mad, and they're great, although a bit expensive.
The dog goes and stays in someone's home, and it's usually retired people or folk who are home all the time.

A LOT less expensive though, than taking your dog to the US and back with you!   
Less stressful for the dog, too.

www.barkingmad.uk.com

The woman in the local Scottish area office is in Peeblesshire, and had loads of 'foster families' (as i called them) all over the Lothians.  My greyhound went to stay with a retired couple in Penicuik and had constant attention, and lots of nice walkies!

He needed an emergency vet at one stage, and they looked after that as well, taking him to his own local vet.

If you take your dog to the States will they need to come back under the PETS passport scheme? 

Didn't some guy take his dog to France on the ferry a few years ago and had to have it quarantined on return?  The dog didn't even leave the ferry if I recall.

Under the PETS scheme, the animal can't re-enter the UK if it hasn't been 6-months since their  satisfactory blood-titre test.  (Info is here:  http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/pets/procedures/support-info/documents.htm)  We were thinking of going away somewhere in Europe for Christmas and taking our Weimaraner, but the 6-month thing is a show stopper for this year.   Even if I got her rabies jabs now, we wouldn't have the 6-month blood-titre test done in time. 

Ive used these people on several occasions. They are not cheap, usually retired people and they look after your house and pets whilst you are away. They will stick exactly to the routine your dog is used to and he is less stressed being in his own home.

I think expense aside its a lot better solution (for you and the dog) than taking him overseas with you.

http://www.animalaunts.co.UK/

Thanks everyone! Those websites look helpful