Pet relocation services

Does anyone have any recommendations for a pet relocation service? I am curious about services provided and pricing....

Thanks

When we brought my cats over to the UK we used AirBorne Animals Dh & I cant praise them enough I have there website its airborneanimals.com. they are based out of New Jersey they totally took all the worry out of bringing my cats over like I said I cant praise them enough.   some people think they are pricey but it was worth it to us for peace of mind.     Good Luck with whoever you choose or if you decide to do it yourself!!  

Thanks!

Does anyone have any recommendations for a pet relocation service? I am curious about services provided and pricing....

Thanks

Yes, I'd like to know too. One company that I would be glad to PM name was rude and didn't want to communicate at all. Another company (this is for my high-strung cat that no one can pick up) said to take him to all his vet appts. and then the trip would be 3,500. (but remember, Immigrations is going to know you spent that money and it could mean rejection! Now my cynicism is getting on my own nerves...) How does this compare? They did seem sincere and very knowledgeable

and then the trip would be 3,500. (but remember, Immigrations is going to know you spent that money and it could mean rejection!

Why does immigration knowing you spent money possibly mean rejection?

Why does immigration knowing you spent money possibly mean rejection?

Would because they are crafty suffice? You tell them what you think is enough money and then they notice everything and what it costs and the next thing you know...poof, not enough money to qualify. So 3,500 dollars to move a precious fur may not be under the radar. It is a minefield I tell ya! (;

Would because they are crafty suffice? You tell them what you think is enough money and then they notice everything and what it costs and the next thing you know...poof, not enough money to qualify. So 3,500 dollars to move a precious fur may not be under the radar. It is a minefield I tell ya! (;

Well, that would only be an issue if you barely meet the financial requirements in the first place and you will not have much money left over after paying out for the visa/travel/pets (i.e. if the money you are using to meet the visa requirements will be used for the relocation expenses, leaving hardly anything to live off afterwards).

For someone who is applying with a decent regular income in the UK and/or a good amount of savings (i.e. several thousand dollars), the money spent on things like the visa, flights and pet relocation probably won't even factor into the visa application decision because it will be obvious that the financial requirement will still be met even after the extra moving expenses have been factored in.

Well, that would only be an issue if you barely meet the financial requirements in the first place and you will not have much money left over after paying out for the visa/travel/pets (i.e. if the money you are using to meet the visa requirements will be used for the relocation expenses, leaving hardly anything to live off afterwards).

For someone who is applying with a decent regular income in the UK and/or a good amount of savings (i.e. several thousand dollars), the money spent on things like the visa, flights and pet relocation probably won't even factor into the visa application decision because it will be obvious that the financial requirement will still be met even after the extra moving expenses have been factored in.

I couldn't have said it better!

To the OP:  I would advise you to save the money that would be spent on a Pet Relocation Service and do it yourself.   Honestly, the PETS process is not as daunting as it seems.  Many of us have been through it before and are happy to walk you through each step. 

To the OP:  I would advise you to save the money that would be spent on a Pet Relocation Service and do it yourself.   Honestly, the PETS process is not as daunting as it seems.  Many of us have been through it before and are happy to walk you through each step. 

This. When I looked (very briefly) into it, it didn't seem to add much value. Basically, they would fill out your forms for you, and arrange your pet's airfare for you. Filling out the forms took me approximately 10 minutes, plus a couple of hours to drive them to the USDA vet to get signed off on (could have faxed instead). Arranging airfare took another 10 minutes on the phone. Hardly worth the price they were quoting (which I don't remember, but do remember thinking "holy cow").

DO YOUR RESEARCH!
I've checked into this topic since I first posted my question and got quotes from 5  or six different pet relocation companies across the US. Very confusing, but very worthwhile. Many airlines won't let you book your animals flights yourself period. This I learned myself, not from these companies that want my business. Also, if you make a mistake with your paperwork etc. You could risk your animals being in quarantine for 6 months. 6 months in an animal quarantine is not something I would ever risk for my animals. AND I cannot afford it for three animals.

This. When I looked (very briefly) into it, it didn't seem to add much value. Basically, they would fill out your forms for you, and arrange your pet's airfare for you. Filling out the forms took me approximately 10 minutes, plus a couple of hours to drive them to the USDA vet to get signed off on (could have faxed instead). Arranging airfare took another 10 minutes on the phone. Hardly worth the price they were quoting (which I don't remember, but do remember thinking "holy cow").

I agree that I can do the paperwork quite easily. Its the actual handling of them during the flights that I worry about. We are in the mid-west (sort of) and have no direct flights from our local airport to the UK, and I am worried about our cats being transferred to the right planes and if anyone will come and check on them or water them between flights. Esp because we are looking at flying during a time of year that is still typically warm here. If I book it myself, and then flights are cancelled because of the heat, then I would be stuck trying to scramble to reschedule them. I would hope that a Pet Relocation Agent would be able to get them rescheduled again quite easily. I don't know if that's a level of service that they could provide. I am just beginning to research the possibility of using one.

Since our final destination is Scotland, we are thinking of flying them into Manchester instead so we could just drive them home, instead of putting them onto another flight up there. The whole coordination of getting them there seems to be more worrisome than getting myself over there! 

DO YOUR RESEARCH!
I've checked into this topic since I first posted my question and got quotes from 5  or six different pet relocation companies across the US. Very confusing, but very worthwhile. Many airlines won't let you book your animals flights yourself period. This I learned myself, not from these companies that want my business. Also, if you make a mistake with your paperwork etc. You could risk your animals being in quarantine for 6 months. 6 months in an animal quarantine is not something I would ever risk for my animals. AND I cannot afford it for three animals.

Seems everyone has different circumstances but I agree with you. We just physically can't take care of ourselves easily enough let alone our sweet kitty. The prices are high but everyone who knows pets aren't disposable will be ok with the costs if at all possible. The name of the place I talked to is in my favourites and escapes me at the moment but you should call them and see how they sound to you and see if they answer all of your concerns. Seemed very knowledgeable to me. I'll be back in a bit and post their name.

We are in the mid-west (sort of) and have no direct flights from our local airport to the UK, and I am worried about our cats being transferred to the right planes and if anyone will come and check on them or water them between flights. Esp because we are looking at flying during a time of year that is still typically warm here. If I book it myself, and then flights are cancelled because of the heat, then I would be stuck trying to scramble to reschedule them. I would hope that a Pet Relocation Agent would be able to get them rescheduled again quite easily.

I flew my cat (domestic) from NC->NM in November, so there were both temperature concerns to deal with (if there were especially hot/cold weather in NC, Dallas where her layover was, or NM). I had to get a vet's signature saying she was acclimated to a certain (minimum) temperature, and that was it. Granted, I booked her flight about a week in advance, so not as far out as is allowed for international flights, but it should be fairly reasonable to have an idea of what temperatures will be when the flight goes. The airline was quite helpful with that as well.

During her layover in Dallas (approx. 2 hours) she was checked on (not taken out of her crate) and given water. I sent her along with food as well (per airline advice), in case something really weird happened and she had a longer layover. She arrived safe and sound, and the airline folks took quite good care of her. (This was also with the complication of having one person drop her off and another person pick her up, so there was extra coordination involved, which they handled quite well.)

It's up to the individual what they want to spend, but I spent about 5x as much moving my pets as myself. I don't think I would've spent any more, even though I could've afforded it. I love my boys, but I was willing to do the legwork myself to get them over here rather than pay even more for an agent's help.

Dh & I used a pet relocation it was well worth the cost to us but that was back in March 2005 so I imagine the prices have really increased then.  

The place was called Airborne Animals here is there website. airborneanimals.com