Pets Travel?
 

I've been trying to talk my mom into coming to Europe with me sometime, probably Paris or London, but she always jokes (half-joke, half-serious) that she couldn't go anywhere without Buttons, her toy poodle. Is it really possible to take a pet on a trip overseas or would the quarantine rules be too rigorous? Thanks for any input.

The only way to ensure her of the safety of her dog is to board her dear one with her vet, if possible. There are too many fatalities with pets. We board are dog with a pooch hotel, expensive but while I am away, I never have to worry about his safety, and tell your mom, the dog doesn't feel the length of time as we do. Plus she won't have to worry about scooping pooper.

Actually, you can take pets into France and Italy without a quarantine period. Not England, however. It would be possible to take a small dog to France if the airline would let you keep the dog in a carrier WITH YOU in the cabin, never in cargo. And hotels in Paris are very pet friendly. Do a web search for the French Tourist Bureau in the US and give them a call. I'm sure they can help you.

Toni, great information. I know that many of the airlines have designated seats for people with pets. But does anyone know if your pet would have to be quarantined on return to the US?

Sonya: I'd take a little dog with me to Europe in a flash IF it would fit in carry-on bag. THey're pretty much welcome everywhere and a real ice-breaker. Poodle's vet will advise. HOWEVER, need to check with airlines to ascertain their pet policies. KLM is wonderful with animals.

If my dog were smaller, and could therefore travel in cabin (in an under the seat sized kennel), I'd take him with me on an extended trip to Italy. However, he's a big boy, and I don't want to put him in cargo for such a long period of time.<BR><BR>Toni, is correct. You can just walk off the plane in with your dog in France, Italy, and Switzerland. England has a 6 month quarantine. Just be sure Buttons is current on his/her shots. You'll also need a health certificate from your vet before flying. To my understanding from when I inquired about this, no quarantine is necessary to come back into the states.<BR><BR>France is super dog friendly. I've seen dogs of all sizes in Parisian cafes. <BR><BR>How long do you plan on being gone? Depending on the nature of the dog and his/her age, it might be a bit of a stress on the dog to travel on such a long journey, then return quickly. Only mom and the vet can answer that.<BR><BR>I understand her love for her dog; hope she can bring Buttons on the trip. I leave my dog in the care of a trusted friend, as I couldn't even bear to leave him at a kennel or the vet!<BR><BR>Good luck!

We actually have taken a dog with us on a 6 week vacation to Europe. BUT...we stayed in only one place, in an apartment we'd rented in the 16th arrond. in Paris (aka the Poodle Arrondissement, although in our case it was the cocker arrondissement). <BR>No quarantine either way, although you needed a vet certificate of health and proof of a rabies vaccine given more than 30 days and less than a year before the start of your trip. <BR>If anywhere in the UK is on your agenda, though, it's a flat no go. Only dogs and cats that have lived in the European continent for at least a year and are chipped, etc., can go to the UK without a quarantine and it involves a blood test coming and going. Not recommended for vacation (one of the reasons we won't move from Belgium to the UK). <BR>Here toy poodle could easily meet cabin requirements for pet transport, and would travel easily on the metro, etc. (however, pet travel is even easier in Belgium than in France, we're all going to have dinner with friends in Bruges tonight and the dog can just hop on the train with us, no questions asked). <BR>Boarding with a vet isn't the perfect answer either. Some vet boarding facilities are just so-so, even if the vet care is good. And dogs with separation anxiety don't do well in a boarded situtation; they're better with a pet sitter in their own environment.<BR>Finally, you don't need to bring a pooper scooper; a small plastic bag will do just fine for cleaning up after a toy poodle.<BR>BTilke

I will have to wait until they allow pets bigger than a mouse to fly in the cabin with me:) I have a standard poodle and there have been enough horror stories about pets dying and lost on flights for it to be not worth the risk.Maybe someday he will be able to have the seat by the window~

Thanks to all...great help. I feel like this may be feasible after all. Will print off this thread and show it to Mom. It sounds like it would be fun to have a cute little dog with you in Paris. Buttons is a good dog and about 7 years old (I think). I really enjoyed the love you all have for your pets, it was obvious even over the internet!

Sonya - something else to consider if you do decide to take the dog; your hotel and your sightseeing. While Europeans love their dogs and take them most places, many hotels will not accept them. And what would you do with the dog while you took a tour or did sightseeing on your own where dogs would not be allowed? If you do a search on here you can find very informative discussions in the last year or so about this very topic.<BR>Bone Voyage! :)

Hey , I'm curious. How would your dog die or get lost on a flight if it's with you in cabin? <BR><BR>The small percentage of horrible deaths occurred 2)when the dog was in cargo & didn't get enough water, b) was left on a runway in extreme heat or cold , c) and missed a connecting flight. Airlines have now banned carrying dogs in hot or cold weather.<BR><BR>Traveling in cargo with you, the dog is no more at risk than you.<BR><BR>Just don't put the dog in a kennel or at the vet!!!

I'm not sure about the rest of France, yet I am certain that there are numerous hotels in Paris & Italy that accept animals. I'll bet your hotel could arrange a dog sitter, or refer you to one for those moments when you prefer not to leave Buttons in the hotel w/just a bone for company.<BR><BR>I met a woman in Milan who does this for a occupation, just as I do part time herein the states.<BR><BR>While staying at Grand Hotel Jeanne D'Arc in Paris, I was asked to walk some dogs (because it was pretty clear to the hotel staff that I was enjoying thier furry guests) and I happily obliged!

Each case for boarding is very different, my dog goes every year to the same place called The pooch Palace and he knows all the dogs who board there. They have a play time period and a rest period, a large, caring staff, and even visiting hours, if I ask a friend to stop by. He actually loves to go there. At extra cost they will also groom.

No one said that a dog would die flying in the cabin.Dogs die and are injured flying in cargo where dogs fly now-unless they are very small and can fit under the seat in a special carrier.<BR>There was a thread on here not too long ago regarding this subject.For now-the way things stand, if the dog fits, keep it with you in the cabin, otherwise,large dogs are at risk.

You need to get a health certificate from your vet not more than 10 days before you travel. So, with that in mind, will you need to get another health certificate from a vet in the country you are visiting before flying back to the US?

Y es, traveler, 'C' said I will have to wait until they allow pets bigger than a mouse to fly in the cabin with me..........there have been enough horror stories about pets dying and lost on flights for it to be not worth the risk.<BR><BR>So I was pointing out that it was just as safe for the dog to travel in cabin as she is.

Hey Mimi, tell yourself whatever you want to make yourself feel better.

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone again. This was my first post and I'm surprised at all the good help offered. Also, to Mimi, it's obvious that you love your dog and I'm sure you are a wonderful dog-owner so don't feel bad about posts like the one above. It's kind of like your dog gets to go to summer camp!