Bringing my cat to Canada

[LeisaP]

I'm lucky I've never had to do an international flight and my experiences with both cargo and carry on were good on domestic flights (especially with WestJet). When I flew the cat cargo, the cat did not have to come out of the carrier. That was a few years ago though, and I wouldn't be surprised if even on domestic flights the animal has to be removed for security screens for both cargo and carry on. Oh well, we do whatever we have to do for the 4-legged members of the family

yup some people say we are crazy!. but family is family ;D

 

[missmini]

thanks canadiangirl for this thread and to everyone else sharing!!!

can i ask what's the bag u r talking abt?? does the cat have air : (sorry if it sounds silly but i'm so new to all this) definately i don't think he can come with us in the cabin - he can b soo noisy and mweau the whole way; they might do emergency landing and throw us out the plane plus he's already 5kg and hard to hold : so cargo is the only option, good bad, scary, less scary, better than no option at all

as for ur initial question i studied this link carefully

http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/anima/imp/petani/felqueste.shtml

it costs just 30$ and it needs just the rabies vaccination up to date (if he does not have it they will do it there for extra charge); but he needs the rabies only if he comes from non rabies-free countries; if he comes from rabies-free then he won't need even that

what i also want to know maybe any of u know; if the cat has some health conditions non-transmisible would i need a paper from the vet stating that? our cat was born with some type of asthma (that's from one diagnostic, hopefully in canada they will say he has nothing); usually he's fine, sometimes he takes treatment but he is a normal cat; still the dry air from the plane maybe will make him caugh, who knows and they will think he's a danger to society : could this make them keep him in quarantine? how would i avoid that? thank u

extra info: the cat was born outside canada

 

[canadiangirl78]

The bag is mesh on 3 sides so breathable. It looks like a black suitcase.

I'd try to put your cat in cabin if they will let you. He will calm down. Mine meows on take off but it's so loud you can't even hear him. Cargo can be really bad. I researched and read airline reports. However odds are on your side. I've had to do it.

Don't sedate him. That is risky.

You don't need a health certificate. Just the rabies vaccine.

 

[Fencesitter]

I'm taking my two miniature schnazuers. They probably won't allow them in the cabin, so the only choice is the cargo hold. One is 6 years old and the other is 3. Both are in excellent physical condition, and I am sure they will be fine. The only worry is the temperature in the cargo hold. We'll be flying out of Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific. We've contacted a pet relocation agency that will take care of all the necessary paperwork to get them from the mainland to the Hong Kong airport. They will also drive us all the way from our apartment to the airport (included in the price are two hard shell carriers). Total cost is about $2,000. Expensive! We don't have any other options, as there are no direct flights from Guangzhou to Toronto. The flight out of Hong Kong is direct (16 hours or so). It's best if we fly direct to limit the amount of time our dogs are in transit, and also to eliminate the risk of the airline screwing up and losing our two little boys...

Is $2,000 way too expensive?

FS

 

[canadiangirl78]

Also as long as the cat looks ok he can fly. If his health condition makes it risky they leave that up to you. You'll have to sign something for cargo I believe saying the airline isn't at fault.

No quarantine will be necessary no matter what.

 

[canadiangirl78]

I'm taking my two miniature schnazuers. They probably won't allow them in the cabin, so the only choice is the cargo hold. One is 6 years old and the other is 3. Both are in excellent physical condition, and I am sure they will be fine. The only worry is the temperature in the cargo hold. We'll be flying out of Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific. We've contacted a pet relocation agency that will take care of all the necessary paperwork to get them from the mainland to the Hong Kong airport. They will also drive us all the way from our apartment to the airport (included in the price are two hard shell carriers). Total cost is about $2,000. Expensive! We don't have any other options, as there are no direct flights from Guangzhou to Toronto. The flight out of Hong Kong is direct (16 hours or so). It's best if we fly direct to limit the amount of time our dogs are in transit, and also to eliminate the risk of the airline screwing up and losing our two little boys...

Is $2,000 way too expensive?

FS

It's expensive but worth it. I hope they arrive safe and sound. The pilot needs to be aware they're in the cargo hold to insure it's heated.

 

[Fencesitter]

Who will be responsible for informing the pilots?? We were told that we need to drop them off at a separate terminal when we arrive at the airport. Then we fill out some paperwork and they take them. Cathay Pacific is a good airline, so I am really hoping they take good care of our dogs. I would be super angry if they forgot to heat the cargo hold...

I was also wondering if they secure the dog crates? Turbulence could be a problem if they are not secured...do they know this??

FS

 

[LeisaP]

Who will be responsible for informing the pilots?? We were told that we need to drop them off at a separate terminal when we arrive at the airport. Then we fill out some paperwork and they take them. Cathay Pacific is a good airline, so I am really hoping they take good care of our dogs. I would be super angry if they forgot to heat the cargo hold...

I was also wondering if they secure the dog crates? Turbulence could be a problem if they are not secured...do they know this??

FS

So your dogs are flying on a seperate plane? Or are they in the checked baggage compartment underneath the Plane you are flying on?

 

[Fencesitter]

They'll be on the same plane. From what we were told, we need to take them to a separate terminal to do the paperwork, but they will transfer them to the cargo hold of the plane we will be on...though I still need to confirm everything again to ensure no communication problems...

FS

 

[LeisaP]

They'll be on the same plane. From what we were told, we need to take them to a separate terminal to do the paperwork, but they will transfer them to the cargo hold of the plane we will be on...though I still need to confirm everything again to ensure no communication problems...

FS

o okay thats good!.
well if you want to be sure the cargo hold is heated. it doesnt hurt to confirm with the flight attendant when you get on the plane. because for sure she can remind the pilot or confirm with him/her that they know there are animals in the cargo hold. they understand your concern.

when we flew we took our dog to the same check in as us and they picked her kennel up on a wheely thing and brought it downstairs. thats why i didnt know if your dogs were on the same plane or different. but that was at vancouver airport so im sure its much different in hong kong.

and yes they secure the crates, so you dont have to worry about it sliding around. although the dog may feel the same turbulence you do. but they dont slide around or anything.

we are paranoid when we took our dog aswell. but everything turned out fine and they took good care of her. she was a little startled and ripped up all the lining inside the kennel. but she made it just fine.

another thing they suggest is when you get your dogs out. make sure to check them right away to be sure there are no injuries (sounds scary but it happens very very rarely) and if something doesnt look right, go to the vet. and if something did happen you can contact the airline and discuss it with them.. for west jet they told us they would deal with it if the dog got hurt. i dunno if its the same for all airlines. but anyways its always good to check them and make sure they werent hurt.

;D

 

[canadiangirl78]

Who will be responsible for informing the pilots?? We were told that we need to drop them off at a separate terminal when we arrive at the airport. Then we fill out some paperwork and they take them. Cathay Pacific is a good airline, so I am really hoping they take good care of our dogs. I would be super angry if they forgot to heat the cargo hold...

I was also wondering if they secure the dog crates? Turbulence could be a problem if they are not secured...do they know this??

FS

I used zip ties to close the door because dogs have gotten out. I heard of a dog who got out and killed a cat. While the cat was in the carrier. I guess he was very vicious.

If you are on the plane, send a note with the stewardess and have her confirm with you the pilot is aware and the cargo is heated. If it is not heated they could die.

 

[canadiangirl78]

They'll be on the same plane. From what we were told, we need to take them to a separate terminal to do the paperwork, but they will transfer them to the cargo hold of the plane we will be on...though I still need to confirm everything again to ensure no communication problems...

FS

Yes you bring them to the cargo part of the airport and they will truck them to the plane. One tip I heard was to insure them for a high amount which will keep them more vigilant. You also have to be careful about the temperature on the tarmac. Animals have died because of the intense heat while waiting. Also if the plane is delayed the animals need to be taken OFF otherwise they could die from the heat. All of this is unlikely to happen but I did a lot of research when my cats flew to Hawaii in cargo and read airline reports and yikes. United is good about keeping them in AC at all times during the summer.

Also have the pilot confirm with you that the dogs are on the plane. My friend flew from Hawaii to California and his beloved dog was NOT on the plane when he arrived. They put him on another, later one but that was not cool.

 

[bally21]

Our pilot knew the animals were on the plane without us telling them and I know this because the captain came on the speaker and said they were safely loaded. The dispatcher goes and tells the pilots. Most cargo holds are heated and pressurised nowadays anyways. But maybe just write a wee card and ask the cabin crew to give it to the pilots before take off anyways.

They'll be fine! I was a wreck but mine arrived happy and relaxed!

 

[canadiangirl78]

Yep usually the pilot knows and the hold is heated. But sometimes mistakes happen or people are lazy so it is best to do everything you can to make sure everything is right.

I don't mean to tell horror stories. The vast majority of animals are just fine. But things do happen so might as well do your best to prevent any problems.

 

[missmini]

thaaank u all for the valuable insights i'm just wondering: does anyone need to hire a company to take care of the pet? i mean if i do a stop over (i think i have too) wouldn't the airline transfer the kitty like they do with the luggage? also isn't enough to take the kitty and check him in when we do our own check in? i understand that when we need a lot of paperwork but for Canada it's not the case

also does the pet need paperwork from leaving a country too (getting "exported") or only when he enters? i always assumed it's for the destination country

and sorry but one more question: is the kitty part of the extra luggage whichwe pay extra as part of the luggage OR does he need his half/ticket like children do? if yes is he allowed for his own little luggage? (he has so many toys and his own things too)

yeah i will give it a thought abt taking him in a cabin - but what if he does not fit under the chair what will i do then the problem is that he is strong and hard to handle and i'm not that much; so it depends if i travel alone or not....and definately i won't sedate him - but being held in heat scares me it is hot here or the story with the loose dog scares me too

i guess i need to ask airline by airline more details but at least i know what to ask, from where to start

good luck for all!! let's keep this thread going hihihi