Need Help with Service Dog from the US

My wife and I are seriously at the end of our rope.

Our lab/beagle mix service dog is in the United States and finishing up
the last two weeks of his 6 months waiting period before he can join
us in the UK. He is a US registered service dog and is qualified to
fly in-cabin in the USA. We have just found out that this is not the case
for the UK and the only way for him to be allowed to fly in-cabin to the UK
is if he is registered with a UK service dog organization.

Can anyone confirm this? Does anyone have any insight at all?

He is flying from Miami to Heathrow and it looks like he is going to
have to fly BA cargo. We are just worried about the conditions in
cargo for the dogs as it is going to be so hot in Miami. VA doesn't
fly animals from Miami in cargo for that exact reason. Can anyone
shed light on that?

Desperately need answers.

Grant

I can't help much, but on the DEFRA website it says

On certain approved air routes (i.e. those approved by Defra to carry pets into the UK under the Pet Travel Scheme), assistance dogs can travel with their owners in the passenger cabin rather than in the hold as cargo.

Checking the approved list of routes for assistance dogs doesn't actually say which allow the dog in the cabin.  I'd call DEFRA, or e-mail.  The airline(s) might know as well.

As far as the conditions in cargo, the animals are in a climate-controlled, pressurized area, so on the plane they should be fine.  I know that some airlines (not sure if BA is one of them) have "holding areas" that are air-conditioned as well so your dog hangs out in that room with a/c, has a quick ride in his crate to the plane, and then hangs out in the cargo area which has a/c.

Thanks for the info on the cargo holds. That makes us feel a bit better.

I saw the same information on the DEFRA, but they claim the animal has to be trainined in the UK, so I am not truthfully sure what the deal is.

Fingers crossed any way.

In the process of getting my cat in, I spoke to DEFRA on the phone and again in email. I found them most helpful and friendly, if you care to contact them directly.

On the other hand, to echo what equestrianerd said, the airlines do take extraordinary care of the animals, from what I gather.

In Dec. I flew my 3 cats over on BA .In Jan. I had to fly one of them back to the US.
We (that cat ) and I are flying back to the UK in August .I was totally freaked about them having to fly in cargo but they really seemed fine when it was all over.The worst part is all the extra steps of taking them to a separate cargo area (I believe they had to be there 4 hours early)and the waiting to get them when the flight is over(also took several hours)

But the humans are the ones suffering.LOL The animals are loaded last and removed asap from the plane. They are waiting in air conditioned rooms.

                               
                                          Good luck

Perhaps contact a service organisation in the US and ask for some advice. 

People go to the UK on vacation with service animals surely?  I could see your dog not being allowed on flights that originated in the UK, but if the flight leaves from the US?  Maybe contact a UK service org as well?

Thanks guys...

DEFRA says it is a no go to allow the Dog in-cabin. I am calling BA tomorrow to ask what the conditions are like. I assume they are good, I just want to make sure, obvious we have a lot invested in this dog, beyond just the money to bring him over.

Cargo for animals really is very good. The heat is an issue, obviously, but they won't fly the animals if they can't keep them comfortable at all times during the journey.

I haven't done the flight UK to US, but back in March my cats flew Virgin from Heathrow to Wash DC and were just fine. As a matter of fact, they were so NOT traumatized by the whole event, they just sauntered right out of their carriers as soon as we got them home. We've moved house before, the car drive was more stressful for them than the plane!

Unforunately, you are correct - a good friend of mine is a service dog trainer and confirmed this for me. Your dog needs to be certified by a UK agency to be considered a service dog for a trip to the UK.  Rest assured about the travel conditions for animals though; instances of any problems with animals traveling in cargo are very rare.  The idea of animals being thrown in with luggage is absolutely false, as others have already said. Hopefully BA can clear up any other concerns you have.  Good luck with your move.

Thanks Guys!

Ari arrived here on the 13 without any problems, save one...Our vet in the USA forgot to stamp his clearance forms USDA approved!!! Luckily we were able to show previous papers from domestic travel in the US that had his Stamp of approval and BA let it slide.

Once in the UK, we only had to wait an hour and forty minutes in the pet reception centre. What a blessing after being told it could take upwards of five hours!

In any instance, he is home with us.

Cheers!

Glad to hear it! Welcome to you all!

Hi.

I was wondering if there was any new info on this. I was planning on flying my service dog (he's certified in California under the assistance dog program) in cabin SFO-LHR. Everything I have read says that if the airline is a US based airline it has to follow the US rules regarding service animals and ADA rules, etc. I called United and the also verified he could fly in cabin.

I figured I would have issues flying him back out of the UK in cabin but did not think I would have any issues getting him there.

So, the question what is the worst that could happen? We get to SFO and the deny us boarding and we end up having to fly him cargo on a different flight, etc? OR would the rejections happen at LHR and then we would have to fly back to the US?

Since he's allowed in cabin to other European destinations I could also fly into France then take the train to London, as a last resort.

I would love any and all input!

PS We are in month 4 of quarantine!

If United has already said this is ok, Im curious why you are asking here?   I would go by the word you have from the specific airline you are flying...
I have heard recently that some international flights UNDER 10 hours will allow service dogs and BA's website, for instance, says this "Assistance Dogs that are compliant with the Pet Travel Scheme may be carried, in the cabin of the aircraft on certain international routes."  So, I think you need to call your specific airline re: your specific route.

The "rejection" would happen in the US as it is up to them if the animal is allowed to board the plane.   If you get approval from the airline, here are the steps according to www.guidedogs.org.uk
- Guide dog and other assistance dog owners are encouraged to plan ahead and discuss travel plans with airline or booking agent as well as their local district team manager.
- When travelling with a guide dog owners should bring with them identification for themselves and their dog as well as a suitable car safety harness for securing the dog at take off and landing and at any other required time during flight.
- Pets Passport documentation should be sent by fax to the Animal Reception Centre, at the UK destination airport, ahead of flight.
- On arrival back in the UK, a nominated person will meet the guide dog or assistance dog owner at the arrival gate where documentation will be checked in accordance with the Pets Passport Scheme.
- The animal reception staff will attach a sticker to the dog, enabling it and its owner to continue through Customs and Immigration to their onward journey.

Your second plan would work, too, if you choose to do that.

Thanks for the feedback!!

I saw the quidedogs uk website too!

Yes, I thought I knew the answer, but then I came across this thread and I started to worry. I have flown at least a dozen times with my dog but never out of the country, much less to a country with very strict pets laws. So, I was just checking the information I have. Also, UA call center agents notoriously give out wrong info.