Bringing my Black lab from USA

[speter]

Hello,
I would like to hear from anyone who moved with his/her dog from the US. I'll be moving to Singapore next year and I'm so worried about moving my dog. I would like to avoid traveling with him as cargo on an airplane. If any of you know of an alternative way, please let me know. Please tell me about your experience traveling with your dog from the US. I really don't want to take any risks of anything happening to him. He is family to us. Thank you!!!

[sundaymorningstaple]

Start with this thread:

http://forum.singaporeexpats.com/ftopic36703.html

Do a search of the threads in this forum (using the search facility just below the profile link at the upper right side of this page).

And check out this website for the latest information as the quarantine periods have been changed for some countries and different locations if from the US according to the papers recently.

http://www.ava.gov.sg/AnimalsPetSector/ ... sPersonal/

You could always send him by sea. That way you can run around the deck with him but it might take a month or so to get here. Might be better to put him in cargo (they don't freeze in cargo designed for animals) for the 24 hours that the trip from the US takes.

What is worse than the flight is the quarantine once the dog arrives here. But that's changing some come 2010. You dog may have 10 to 30 days quarantine depending on how well you do the documentary submissions and where your dog has been, up to 120 days if you blow the paperwork.

sms

[road.not.taken]

Hello,
I would like to hear from anyone who moved with his/her dog from the US. I'll be moving to Singapore next year and I'm so worried about moving my dog. I would like to avoid traveling with him as cargo on an airplane. If any of you know of an alternative way, please let me know. Please tell me about your experience traveling with your dog from the US. I really don't want to take any risks of anything happening to him. He is family to us. Thank you!!!

I think the best option is when they fly as excess baggage on the plane with you. It's the cheapest and it's the most direct and they are on the same plane with you which is a comfort, they are in a temperature controlled cargo hold designed for animals. I have moved, let's see... 4 (I am counting one twice because he moved twice ) dogs from the US. For the last one (September 2009) we had to use a pet relocation company. They were excellent, but very costly. There is a ton of paperwork involved, but you can do it on your own if you are detailed and organized. The very first step is to get an appointment in quarantine, there is a waiting list, and everything else hinges off that date. You can do it on line, with the link SMS posted above.

Each and every airline has different rules regarding pets, Lufthansa really is the best, but can be very expensive and other carriers are fine too. Some pet relocators can get around the pet embargo times in the US ~ when are you moving?

The 10 or 30 day quarantine is based on the timing of their rabies inoculation(s) and a subsequent blood test to determine if rabies is present. It would be a good idea to use a vet in your area who is familiar with international moves, it does help.

Moves are stressful. Moving pets is especially stressful. I cried a bit when the van came and took my darling puppy (a yellow lab) to meet his plane. He was just a little guy and counted on me for everything, who was I to move him 12,000 miles away? Then once he got home, and settled, it was all worth it. Believe me, it'll all be worth it.

[Capex101]

Relax, it is much easier and painless than you now think (we moved 5 cats and 2 Goldens) but I understand your current position. First, the 30 day quarantine is not bad - actually it is very good and the people are great. A long way to drive every day to see the dog (1/2 hour for us)- but other than that they do a good job. Get the kennel with AC. Bring toys. It goes by quick.

On the flight - my personal opinion is to pay a professional company to do it. Yes - expensive but I think they do add value. And dealing with the airlines by yourself is a pain. The only direct flight - EWR/SIN on SQ does not allow pets in the hold. A professional company will ship them via the UK, give them 8 or so hours on the ground, check them, give them a bath and a walk, etc. As far as I am concerned - there is no value in having them on the same plane. Might even make it worse.....

But, check the zillions of posts on this subject - many opinions. Again, relax.

[keating19]

speter - how did the move go? We are getting ready to move over from the US in June and I am really concerned about how our dog will do on the plane. Would love to know how things went for you!