Pet Movers

For those of you who didn't drive here and have pets, how did you move your pets?

I'm thinking about using this: http://www.petairways.com/.

Dude rides the subway in a carrier.

Subway doesn't reach new england and pets are banned on buses and trains.

....well I assumed you were going on a NYC adventure.

How about renting a car?

I'd like the cats to actually make it there! LOL.

That pet airways thing might be easier to use, but lots of airlines have flight options for pets.

I used NWA to ship my pup here and the agents I spoke with on the phone and that I and the person putting him on the plane at the other end dealt with were are very professional and helpful plus good with the dog. If you google an airline and "pets" you can find some info on it.

At his destination, we just waited in the baggage claim area and he was put in the "large/fragile/live" door. He was a little freaked out, and understandably so after some unexpected weather grounded them in Memphis so he was on the plane an extra 3 hours, but safe and happy to be here.

Good luck--moving is stressful enough with out pets to worry about

thanks! I'm going to call them. I'm thinking I will just fly and put them in a carrier cargo. I hope they don't have a heart attack!

I only read about dogs in planes, but I did come to the solid decision that I would not sedate a dog for flying.

You can do some reading, but for dogs most airlines won't even let the dog on if it seems sedated b/c there is concern (but not studies) that sedated dogs do not come out well after flying. May be the same for cats.

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4RNWN_enUS301US302&q=pet+move

....it doesn't seem like any of us have ever used these services though.

Urban Hound might have some good advice:

http://urbanhound.com/houndTalk/heading.asp?id=20

(I know you are moving cats, but this site still might be helpful and have opinions on the moving services you're considering)

Bklynbound, check with the airline and see what the requirements are.
I once flew with a cat. This was approximately in 1991-92 and before all the strict security measures in place today. I had the cat in a carrier that fit under the seat. I had to buy a ticket for the cat....I think it was about $35 - 45 at that time. What shocked me was they asked me to remove the cat from the carrier to go through the x-ray machine. I explained that it was not my cat, it did not meet me until the day before. I was afraid it would freak and bolt. They did not want to hear anything. I asked for a supervisor, explained my situation (that a family member had died and I was taking the cat back to NY to live). The supervisor examined the carrier from all angles, with a flashlight, and let me go through. I was not asked for a health certificate, though that may have changed. Definitely ask about going through the security check so you know what to expect.

oh, and one more lesson learned while on that flight. I used a hard sided carrier with a metal mesh door. From moving through the aisle and positioning the carrier, the cheapy door latch almost opened. If I had to do it again, I would TIE the door shut in addition to the latch. Maybe with a shoelace (2 shoelaces, top and bottom) that would be easy to remove at the destination. Do not use plastic ties unless you also carry a wire cutter to get it off. I think a wire cutter might be frowned upon with today's air travel.

I'm relocating to New Mexico from Brooklyn and I am renting an SUV for my kitties. They went through enough stress in their lives before I rescued them. It would be a shame to put them through even more and without me.

Tnyc wrote: I was not asked for a health certificate, though that may have changed. Definitely ask about going through the security check so you know what to expect.

If you're carrying the pet in the passenger cabin with you then you don't need a health certificate (for domestic travel). You only need it if your pet is going as "cargo."

It is now standard for you to have to remove the pet from the carrier to go through security. The carrier goes through the x-ray machine with all your other stuff and the pet goes through the metal detector with you (carried).

Post 9/11 I'm sure you'd have a much harder time convincing TSA to not screen the carrier, so I'd plan accordingly...

i've certainly seen carry-on cats (in special duffle bags) post-9/11. i'd imagine that, while still stressful for them, riding in coach with you would be WAY less scary for the cats than being in cargo.

I've seen dogs on planes quite a few times since 9/11 (always in carryons, less than 10 lbs I'd imagine.) I don't know if you could carry on TWO cats or just one, though...

Last time I spent much time in airports (December, many many airports), I was shocked at how many cats I saw traveling with folks. It seemed like there was at least one cat in a bag per gate I waited at. It is definitely something I expect airlines employees to be used to now. None of the cats seemed too stressed about everything.

OR, you can store kittehs with me for a couple of days and me and O can drive them up on the weekend. WHEE!

Carmen wrote: I don't know if you could carry on TWO cats or just one, though...

seen it done.

Carmen wrote: I've seen dogs on planes quite a few times since 9/11 (always in carryons, less than 10 lbs I'd imagine.)

Most airlines set the limit at 15 lbs. (Thankfully my girl is just shy of that and rides with me.) Not that they're going to weigh them...or even really acknowledge their presence at all...

I thought about renting a car, but Brooklyn has no rental agencies that do a one way trip and there is no way I'm driving in Manhattan or from the airport. I've never driven here and don't want to kill myself and the cats. Once out of NYC, the streets are easy.

Beave, you serious? I would totally do that and pay you in money.

My cats are around 15-17 lbs total. But I think they are too tall to fit underneath the seat.

Right now I'm looking at the airline option. It's quick. I don't trust these movers and Pet Airways doesn't service my area.