Recent Pet Costs

I wanted to also point out to a few folks who may be trucking a lot of pets and stuff that there is one other option that may be of use and is little known, and may apply in certain circumstances, especially if you know how far out your date is as they take bookings for kennels very far in advance.

The Queen Mary II is the only ship crossing the North Atlantic that has kennel facilities.  While it may be a pain to catch the boat in NY and then get wherever you are going from Southampton, in some instances it may make sense for nervous pets.  Also, off times of the year are actually reasonably priced considering it is a multiple day journey.

Here is one lady's experience with a dog:

http://betterwords.typepad.com/pepperinparis/taking-a-dog-on-the-queen-mary-2.html

And some more basic info:

http://thejetsetpets.com/cunard-lets-your-pet-set-sail-with-you/

I wanted to also point out to a few folks who may be trucking a lot of pets and stuff that there is one other option that may be of use and is little known, and may apply in certain circumstances, especially if you know how far out your date is as they take bookings for kennels very far in advance.

The Queen Mary II is the only ship crossing the North Atlantic that has kennel facilities.  While it may be a pain to catch the boat in NY and then get wherever you are going from Southampton, in some instances it may make sense for nervous pets.  Also, off times of the year are actually reasonably priced considering it is a multiple day journey.

Here is one lady's experience with a dog:

http://betterwords.typepad.com/pepperinparis/taking-a-dog-on-the-queen-mary-2.html

And some more basic info:

http://thejetsetpets.com/cunard-lets-your-pet-set-sail-with-you/

I have read this was possible, but I wasn't sure about bringing *everything*.  We will have furniture etc, so I'd be curious as to what that process is, or even if it's possible.

I wanted to also point out to a few folks who may be trucking a lot of pets and stuff that there is one other option that may be of use and is little known, and may apply in certain circumstances, especially if you know how far out your date is as they take bookings for kennels very far in advance.

The Queen Mary II is the only ship crossing the North Atlantic that has kennel facilities.  While it may be a pain to catch the boat in NY and then get wherever you are going from Southampton, in some instances it may make sense for nervous pets.  Also, off times of the year are actually reasonably priced considering it is a multiple day journey.

Here is one lady's experience with a dog:

http://betterwords.typepad.com/pepperinparis/taking-a-dog-on-the-queen-mary-2.html

And some more basic info:

http://thejetsetpets.com/cunard-lets-your-pet-set-sail-with-you/

FWIW, we looked into this for moving our dogs. We found out in May that we were moving in Sept. I immediately called Cunard....The next available sailing with kennels open was sometime in late 2014 (over a year later). So, you really need to plan well in advance. They did say that you could waitlist for the kennels, but you can't do it without a confirmed reservation for the humans (which you can then change if the kennels don't open up). While I think this is a really nice option for moving pets, it's simply not going to work for people who have strict timelines for moving.

FWIW, we looked into this for moving our dogs. We found out in May that we were moving in Sept. I immediately called Cunard....The next available sailing with kennels open was sometime in late 2014 (over a year later). So, you really need to plan well in advance. They did say that you could waitlist for the kennels, but you can't do it without a confirmed reservation for the humans (which you can then change if the kennels don't open up). While I think this is a really nice option for moving pets, it's simply not going to work for people who have strict timelines for moving.

Yes, we read that as well.  Fortunately, our timeline is our own.  We are moving as a family, and even if my husband accepted a job tomorrow and left, we are in a lease here until June, so we would keep our house and my Dad lives with us and could look after our pets while we are away [probably for a few months at a time] until we were ready to move them and our furniture.  Currently our plan is to move in October or November 2015, so we could easily book a year in advance.

We actually had a long talk about it, and we've decided that we are going for it It will be a great way to take a break from the madness of moving--and right in the middle of it, too! I have OCD, so moving is absolutely my worst nightmare. Now that we know we are definitely going, I'm getting anxious to get it over with, but I know I have to be patient.

I'm so happy this was brought up, because it caused us to research and make a decision, which we are very excited about!

Good luck Wren Black! Our company only gave us four months' notice, so the QM2 was a no-go for us. But, if we decide to come back home after our contract is up, we should know far enough in advance to book....So, let us know how your experience is! Not sure if you have called yet, but as I recall the pricing was relatively inexpensive (compared to flying, anyway).

Good luck Wren Black! Our company only gave us four months' notice, so the QM2 was a no-go for us. But, if we decide to come back home after our contract is up, we should know far enough in advance to book....So, let us know how your experience is! Not sure if you have called yet, but as I recall the pricing was relatively inexpensive (compared to flying, anyway).

Yes, it was much cheaper than flying...especially considering it's a week's holiday with food included!  It was around $1000 each for us, half that each for the kids, and $750 for the Dog. We were not able to determine a price for the cat in our research, but we may just fly her, anyway, as her current kennel is within the qualifications, and she'll be better on a 9 hour flight than on a sea voyage. I had already planned on sending her to my Mother's house before we start packing, so perhaps I'll have Mama put her on the plane after we finish unpacking. Normal house to normal house for the fussy kitty, with a little 4-6 week holiday at Grandmama's house [which she loves].

I suppose during that time of year [October/November], one way flights would be pretty cheap, but still no less than about $800 each, and the dog would be more expensive.  So all things added up, with the minivan we are going to have to rent to drive to NY [to fit the Dog and our many suitcases], we should be looking at about even or at least within a couple of hundred dollars.

So Mookie Kitty is in the air....landing in just over an hour.  I was actually super surprised at the cost for her flight.  $682.17 for her.  The woman said it was because she is so small....only weighs 7.9 pounds.  So it was an enormous cost. 

They did call ARC to make sure an unaccompanied pet would be accepted and she was told as long as someone was picking her up.  Hubby is leaving in a few minutes to get her

I won't be able to calm down til DH texts me to say she is on her way home....and won't sleep til I speak to him once they are home. 

So Mookie Kitty is in the air....landing in just over an hour.  I was actually super surprised at the cost for her flight.  $682.17 for her.  The woman said it was because she is so small....only weighs 7.9 pounds.  So it was an enormous cost. 

They did call ARC to make sure an unaccompanied pet would be accepted and she was told as long as someone was picking her up.  Hubby is leaving in a few minutes to get her

I won't be able to calm down til DH texts me to say she is on her way home....and won't sleep til I speak to him once they are home. 

It is awfully hard to send the little furballs out into the world on their own! I hope your Mookie Kitty has had a nice non eventful journey to Manchester! How was it with Continental/United? I just phoned them up yesterday to get quotes for my dog & cat.

It was somewhat uneventful.  Tho PetsonJets were upset she was in such a big kennel.....it was HUGE tho the one smaller didnt have enough room for her to sit up and have 3 inches over her head.  Apparently that isn't for cats.  They said if there was turbulence she would be tossed about.  Tho if it was smaller there would have been more chance for her to hit a wall.  Also she landed at 730, and was at Pets on Jets in Manchester at 800, but the customs office doesnt open til 9 so Servisair couldn't clear her til then, but she had all her checks at Petson jets and was in the car at 907.

She is a liitle scared now.  Hiding behind the couch or under tables....she wouldnt leave the living room for hours.  But is finally starting to explore.  Hasn't eaten or drank anything yet but told DH she will when she is hungry or thirsty.

We flew with united, but they wouldnt quote me until she was there as it all is based on weight and taxes that day.

Good luck on your move!!!

It was somewhat uneventful.  Tho PetsonJets were upset she was in such a big kennel.....it was HUGE tho the one smaller didnt have enough room for her to sit up and have 3 inches over her head.  Apparently that isn't for cats.  They said if there was turbulence she would be tossed about.  Tho if it was smaller there would have been more chance for her to hit a wall.  Also she landed at 730, and was at Pets on Jets in Manchester at 800, but the customs office doesnt open til 9 so Servisair couldn't clear her til then, but she had all her checks at Petson jets and was in the car at 907.

She is a liitle scared now.  Hiding behind the couch or under tables....she wouldnt leave the living room for hours.  But is finally starting to explore.  Hasn't eaten or drank anything yet but told DH she will when she is hungry or thirsty.

We flew with united, but they wouldnt quote me until she was there as it all is based on weight and taxes that day.

Good luck on your move!!!

Oh thats good news that it went well for her! I hope she settles down nicely in her new home, it must be very confusing for her at the moment
I also hope all goes well for your own move, what an exciting time for you! 
That is also interesting about the kennel size, never thought about turbulence!

Mookie is nearly back to normal.  Rubbing on all the furniture, eating, drinking and  using the litter box.  Still gets scared first thing in the morning when DH opens the curtains and when the mail comes.  She snuggled up to DH in bed last night.  SO it all looks good.  4 more days and will have been there for a couple hours!!   

Awww, sounds like she is settling in nicely, only a few more days until you are there and she will be a happy kitty from then on! 

Booked my flight today  bringing the dog & cat in through Paris rather than London Heathrow    Will carry the cat on & the dog is going as excess baggage in the hold, I wanted to check the cat in too, but because she is a persian, even with more of a "regular" nose, she is still considered a snubnose and is a no go in the the baggage hold    All total to get the animals to Paris will be $400, $200 for each, then its back to Calais & across the channel and into their new home  Not going to complain about the long drive back to London, because by doing it this way, we are saving close to $1000! 

Now that it is a few days after arriving here in the UK with my dog & cat, here are the final costs for getting them both over here from the US (not including the cost to get me here)! 



Vet costs for both the dog & cat:  $395
(microchipping, rabies, exams, tapeworm, health cert.'s)

USDA Vet Signature:                           $38

Travel items for dog & cat:                     $120
I ordered an 'in cabin' travel kit for the cat & a 'cargo' travel kit for the dog from Dryfur.com, $25 each, the kits had everything I needed for the in cabin cat and cargo traveling dog, made setting up the carriers so easier! Total costs also includes super absorbent pads for the carriers and a soft sided carrier for the cat.

Cost to fly animals from Albany, NY to Paris CDG airport $400



Eurotunnel for cat & dog 15 pounds each $50


All in all, it was a very easy journey, easy to check in the animals at Albany, it did take some time, so I was glad I got to the airport a bit early.  The cat stayed with me as she was traveling with me on the plane and the dog went on as 'excess baggage' so she went straight back from the check-in desk, after they had a TSA agent come out and look over her & her crate. 
I went through security with the cat, I had a harness & leash on her as I had to take her out of her bag and carry her through the x-ray machine & her bag goes through with the rest of the carry-on bags.
 If I did not feel comfortable taking her out of the bag, we could go into a little room and they would check the cat & carrier there.
I heard a story at the airport that a guy said he had no problem taking his cat out of his carrier, took the cat out, it scratched him like crazy and took off running through the airport and ended up in the AC ducts! So I was glad I had the harness and leash on my cat, just in case!
I also got the soft sided carrier for the cat about a month prior, fed the cat in the carrier & cat nipped the heck out of the carrier  , carried her around the house in the carrier, took her for rides in the car in the carrier, only took her to the vet in the hard sided carrier, so she wouldn't think bad thoughts about the soft sided travel carrier,  put the harness on her two or three nights each week & gave her lots of treats, it all paid off because she traveled very well 
Anyway, back to the dog, they put a sticker on the dog's crate at the check-in desk with tear off cards that they fill out and give to me before the start of each flight stating that " I am on board too" I had a layover in Detroit, it was good to get those cards in my hands each time to know that she was on the plane with me.
The cat was a little agitated taking off from Albany in the small plane, but after that she slept most of the way & was really quite laid back about the whole flying thing! 
I pre-boarded each time & that made it a bit less stressful too  After landing in Paris, zipped straight through passport control, Fifi (yes that is my toy poodle's name  ) was waiting in her crate next to the oversized luggage at the baggage area, no one checked the paperwork for either animal.
Met DH, yay ! Then it was on to Calais and the Eurotunnel. There is an Animal Reception office there, pull into the parking lot, bring the pets in, they scan for the microchips, check the paperwork, stamp it, issue a sticker for the car saying we have pets on board, in & out in five minutes really!
Then off we go to get on the train, but first it was passport control for me, a couple of questions, oooh and ahhing over the dog from the agent, got my first stamp on the spouse visa  and then drove the train and head to London.
Now the cat and dog are in their new home settled in quite nicely 

I am very glad that I took the time to research & read & ask questions so I would know how the paperwork for the animals needed to be filled out & what steps I needed to do. Yes, it was a pain and time consuming, but for the peace of mind I got, knowing that I did everything correctly, it was worth it! It was also worth it  for a few hours extra travel for myself & DH, to come in through Paris with the animals, saved a good chunk of $$$$ & it was quick, quick, quick & easy through border/animal control for all of us 
I would definitely do it this way again.
Which I might some day, as the dog will most likely come back to the US with me on one or more of my extended trips home, now that I have done it and know what to expect 
 

Glad you and your pets got over safely, Stephanie! I wanted to do the Paris/Eurotunnel route with my boys but I would've had to travel to Paris to get them and then do the train/ferry back to London and it seemed like a lot of hassle on my own.