speter wrote: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.