Using an agent to transport a dog from UK to US

Hello all,

I'm planning a flight from London to the US in late August. We usually use Delta, but they have an embargo right now due to hot temperatures. So, I found Continental is an approved carrier, and we phoned them. They said we must use an agent to ship our dog, someone to do the paperwork, bring her there, etc. Does anyone know if this is correct? From reading other posts here, it sounds like others have shown up with their pets, done the paperwork, and flew to their destination. Using an agent seems to be an extra expense that isn't really necessary, unless you want the convenience of someone handling all that for you (which I would rather do myself).

Anyway, any advice or help would be appreciated.

I'd ask for clarification from them. I flew my pets via British Airways and did need an agent (on the UK side). The cost of the agent was included in BA's fees, so all I had to do was fax info about the flight/pets to the agent. They were responsible for getting the pets off the plane and to the animal reception centre.

On the US side, though, no mention was made of an agent. I've flown pets twice now and both times have been able to show up at the airport with pet in hand and get them all checked in myself.

I would not use Continental if possible.  I found reviews of airlines that transport pets as cargo and they had the most negative reviews. I actually looked into them initially.  There representative (from the airline and from a pet transport agency ) told me that the only route to get my 2 dogs to the UK from Georgia was to fly them from Atlanta to Newark then to Heathrow via Continental.  Not true at all.

The pet transport agency will tell you they are with the pets right up until the flight.  Not true either.

I would recommend British Airways.  I used them for a direct flight.  I didn't use a pet carrier/agent.  I actually saw one of those agents in the cargo check in point in Atlanta.  They didn't do anything different that I did for my dogs.   Yeah the paperwork takes some time and some thinking to do.  But it saved me $2000 to do things on my own.

The posts on this forum are great.  There are even picture to show you exactly how to fill out the forms.

It can be really stressful and scary to transport pets across the ocean. But it can be done.  If you have any questions, feel free to PM me.

Best of wishes and Congrats on your move

Sorry Sup,  I've just noticed that BA (who I used without the help of an travel agent last year now has the following message on their site): 
Please note that British Airways World Cargo at London Heathrow and London Gatwick no longer has the facilities to deal with members of the public or non-account holders. All requests to ship live animals must come via a Pet Travel Agent who can make all the booking arrangements directly with British Airways World Cargo on your behalf.

This is new since I have used BA and seems to be what Continental is telling you.  This is a major bummer if it is the case across the board.

Oh, damn, that does suck.

That does stink. Maybe the agent just books everything, like a travel agent, but they don't actually handle your pet. Please keep us posted on how this pans out. I'm interested to hear how it works.

Also, I shipped my pets to England on Continental in 2006 and I couldn't have been happier with them. I was really nervous about flying them and the people at the airport really put me at ease.

Good luck!

We may be moving back to the US and I'm really bummed to hear that you need an agent now.  I'll be happy to hear any updates from people who go through the process.  Argh.
 

I really hope the pet travel agent just does the booking.

I shipped my pets to England on Continental in 2006 and I couldn't have been happier with them. I was really nervous about flying them and the people at the airport really put me at ease.

Good luck!

Dh & I used Continental as well in March 2005 when we shipped our 2 cats over to the UK an couldn't be more happier with them. same as BMore we were nervous about them flying in cargo an the airline people were really helpful & put us at ease as well.   

Here's the latest....

All the airlines are telling us we have to use an agent to fly the dog, we can't just do it ourselves. Heathrow is charging a 400£ "handling fee", that has to be paid before the flight. Our flight will go from Heathrow, to Dallas, and finally Omaha.  The Dallas airport said she has to stay in their facilites for 3-6 hours, before she can get on the final flight to Omaha. We are only going on a two week trip, and this seems to be taking away almost a full day, to just sit and wait for what I have no idea. This is also causing us to arrive in Omaha late, and we are having difficulties finding a car rental that will still be open that late. I've emailed Defra to see if this information is accurate; however they can't promise a response for the next 15 days, which is too late. I'll be phoning them soon, but have a feeling they won't be able to provide me with any different information then what we have... :-(

I wonder if that will apply to the ship (QM) as well?

We are only going on a two week trip, and this seems to be taking away almost a full day, to just sit and wait for what I have no idea.

Sorry... Do you live in the UK and are going on a two week trip to the US and then will be returning to the UK?    None of my business, but why are you taking your animals? 

I'm taking her, as a member of my family is being deployed, and it means alot if she's there. I'm married, and live in the UK. I'm going to the states to visit my family.

Does your dog have a pet passport? That may speed up the processing, perhaps (I'm not really sure what the 3-6 hour delay would be, really, since most of the US doesn't have requirements for importing animals).

If nothing else, it should make bringing her back to the UK a lot easier.

Yes, she has a passport and has been through all the requirements to get one. From reading this blog and others, it sounds like the airlines are coming up with new rules making it quite inconvenient to fly with a pet. I found out this evening, that we have to wait 6 hours before we get on the final flight back to the UK. I guess we'll get to know that airport well in that time frame, and we can't visit the dog while we wait.

Are we supposed to leave the leash/collar taped in a clear bag outside of the kennel so that someone can walk the dog during the layover? And the passport and other documentation, is it supposed to be left taped in a bag on the kennel as well? That seems super unsafe to me, but so far, thats what I'm getting from the 'agent' who is supposed to be clarifying this information.