Have to relocate in Sep to N. Japan and my wife and I will be bringing a 12 lb poodle. Anybody have experience with taking a dog on a plane to Japan? What are the restrictions for size and weight? Also, are there weather limits if the pooch has to go in the cargo hold?

Do contact the Japanese Embassy and the airline immediately. <BR>You may find restrictions. If the Japanese authorites permit a dog to be taken into Japan you will need all the relevant paperwork, innoculation certificates etc. Your airline can advise you of 'special' agents around the airport who handle animals. They will be able to advise exactly what needs to be done, they can also suggest a vetinary surgeon to contact for the innoculations. These agents will take care of everything including the container. They will also arrange for a vetinary surgeon to be present on arrival in Japan as I am certain the dog has to 'clear' health checks. <BR>It is a complicated proceedure but DO find on of these 'animal/livestock' agents immediately, don't delay. I think from your e-mail you are in Netherlands, Schiphol has many of these agents, check Yellow Pages or ask KLM Cargo department to 'guide you'. <BR>Good Luck

P.S You diffinately 'cannot' take the dog in the aircarft cabin, it must go in the aircraft hold. Again, contact a specialist agent first thing in the morning.

I wouldn't even consider trying to transport the dog in the cargo hold - get professional assistance. <BR> <BR>Here's a good article I found to help you get started: <BR>http://www.independenttraveler.com/r...gory=11&AID=87 <BR> <BR>good luck! <BR>lily

I believe domestic U.S flights are about the only ones that permit dogs inside passenger cabins. Totally impracticle on a 12-14 hour flight. We sent dogs with British Airways and KLM and no problem. They have special containers and are fed/watered at stops en-route. You will be surprised the care that good airlines give, mainly because the 'staff' who work in the animal/livestock departments are naturally animal lovers.

for what it's worth, i brought my 12-lb cat home to hawaii from vietnam last spring--in the economy cabin of china airlines. i checked w/ different airlines and each one had a different policy. china airlines wouldn't allow me w/ the cat in business class, and had to make sure there were no other animals flying in the cabin that flight before they gave me clearance. flight from ho chi minh city to taipei was on the order of 3-4 hours, then i had a 5-6 hour layover in taipei, then a 10-hour flight to hawaii. i sedated my cat a couple hours before departure in vn, and she was pretty mellow (read: cross-eyed or dozing) until halfway to hawaii, when she began kicking out the sides of her carrier bag. no ruckus tho: the overnight flight was dark and barely half-full, and the stewardess didn't even raise an eyebrow when i took my cat out, on her leash, for a few minutes on my lap. <BR> <BR>but that was the easy part. hawaii has a 4-month animal quarantine (japan is similarly strict, i understand), so i had to get health certificates and vaccinations according to a specific schedule, in two languages, in addition to satisfying the airline's requirements regarding cost and carrier dimensions. then there was the quarantine, which in hawaii cost about $1,100. <BR> <BR>i don't know if you have info on jpnese quarantine requirements, but if not, i'd suggest you get them immediately. hawaii required a series of two rabies vaccinations some months apart. <BR> <BR>good luck! <BR> <BR>

I am also interested in transporting pets to Asia. Does anyone know about quarantine restrictions in Thailand?

Hi Meg, I am not sure, best call your nearest Thai Embassy and ask them. Again 'do' contact your airline, check Yellow Pages for an agent, You reaaly 'do' need these people, it is their business and they have all the info you need. <BR>Make sure your accomodation in Thailand has a garden though!! Vets are fine here and you need regular 'jabs' for the dog. Pet foods etc readily available in main centers. <BR>Everyone doing this 'must' realise that you need far more paperwork for a pet than a human! Again, contact the expert agents, all international airports have them and they will take care of every little detail. Try to use a 'thru' carrier, never change carriers en-route. <BR>A good agent will have contacts internationally. Normally you will have to go to the cargo depots to collect your pet and vital that the agent has arranged a Vet and cargo agent for your paperwork.

Thanks, James. I am gathering information from every available source. We have several months to sort this out, so I think we'll have it all together by the time we're ready to go.