Yep -- anecdotes like Odin and fourfortravel's are just hunky dory . . . no problem, pet is fine. But all it takes is one of the 'other sort of stories' to happen to your baby and you'd never forgive yourselves.

I love LOVE <B>LOVE</B> animals (more than people sometimes ) and I will not EVER put another pet through that. The chance of something going wrong is just too much. And if you are really and truly honest you want to take him for you and your feelings, not necessarily for what the dog wants.

I was bound and determined to take my dog and cats to England -- but my sensible father convinced me that they would have a terrific home w/ my parents . . . and they did for many years.

When I returned to the States I didn't have my sensible father there to convince me and I brought my Scottie and cat home . . . and while it turned out OK eventually it was a terrible ordeal for them and for me.

fuzzbucket makes a good point about animals being delivered to a cargo building some distance from the airport terminals. When we traveled with our cats they were offloaded at the baggage carousel, but more recently friends had to pick their cats up at a cargo terminal.

Those friends were adopting cats from Afghanistan, believe it or not, and those 6 kittens were raring to go inside their carriers and seemed none the worse for wear.

While *I* wouldn't put animals in the hold again, I am sure most come through just fine. Anecdotal evidence gives you a lot to think about!

As a side note, Germany is extremely dog friendly: they are allowed on public transport, inside restaurants and inside most shops. Our landlady seemed more worried about renting to people with kids than those with pets

If you enter Europe other than Ireland or the UK it is likely that all your documentation will have to be translated. Check with the Consulate of the country of entry.

janisj: If the chance of something going wrong is as high as you assume, nobody would take their pets on flights. Not everyone has someone terrific to leave their pets with. Both my daughter's cats are elderly, one was an RSPCA rescue that she had for couple years. I think the rescue cat did pretty well, from rescue to NY is not a bad outcome. What would you suggest, put 2 elderly cats up for adoption or chance taking them with you? Since you are blessed with the wisdom of Solomon, I'm sure you'll give me the correct answer.

You have to consider the restrictions dogs place upon you as I said upthread. It is one thing moving the dogs to Europe if you are moving here for work, but for what is basically an extended holiday, when you want to see museums and sites the dogs will prove a tie. You can't spontaneously visit another city for a few days and enjoy the museums and culture with two dogs to consider.
I loved my dog and miss him terribly, but on our current trip to the UK we have been able to visit many places we couldn't have considered had he been with us.

Anyway until you have your own visas sorted it is all academic.

The military evacuated 287 pets this year from Turkey to Germany. They all made it fine, no way were they leaving them behind. I have shipped when there is no other way and have never had a problem. If you are military you take your animals with your family when you do overseas duty. I would not have like it with the quarantine but they don't do that anymore in the UK. My dogs bounce right back. We used a service and yes, it is only 6 hour flight for us to the east coast. I would rather do that than leave them behind. I just prefer to have them in cabin and not cargo but you can't always do that.

I can fully understand wanting to bring pets and as long as yours are going for a long enough time it makes sense for them to BE there. It's the getting them there that has substantial risks.

If you can sort that out - and I really would look at the freighters - then go ahead. But I still would not put a dog in the cargo hold.

Odin: janisj: If the chance of something going wrong is as high as you assume, . . .

I never said the chance was 'high'. Where did I say that? The chances are relatively low -- but tell that to someone where things don't go well. Sail -- Don't fly . . .

Sorting out a visa will be your biggest headache. If you are going to be mostly in Italy you will need a Permesso Di Soggiorno. Which means income of 38.000 euros, substantial savings, health insurance and a notarised lease for 12 months accomodation. You will not be able to move every six weeks as you have planned. You have to register in the commune where you live. It can take up to 5 months to receive the permit to reside and you must be in the area when the police come to check. And have you thought about tax issues. A nightmare. Sadly the days of just going to Europe for 12 months and travelling around are well and truly gone.

once in Europe you'll be fine.
I travel with my dog and up to 8 cats every year and they are all fine. By car.
No idea about plane, but I often see pets in trains, they seem to survive.

What about trauma to passengers seated nearby who have _legitimate_ allergies to your dog or cat?

My understanding when we flew with our cats in the cabin was that a person with severe pet allergies is expected to inform the airline, and that we could have been bumped from our flight in that case.

I have seen dogs on public transport in Europe, though, including longer distance trains, so it seems to be a non issue there.

People who can't stand to travel close to pets can stay home.

Whathello
Seriously. Thank goodness flights leaving Australia don't have animals in the cabin. Surely you mean people who can't travel without their pets should stay home.

There have been precious threads here about dogs on planes emptying go their bowel in the aisle. The whole scenario has the potential to be a nightmare.

Sorry for the typos, precious - previous.

Freedom begins when the children move out and the dog dies.
Anonymous

Ackislander. Lol.

thanks for the info and opinions; seems our little guy will be staying at home while we're gone. I don't want to submit him to the trauma of a cargo hold and therapy dogs are not allowed in the cabin.

Absolutely right. And, once you've got the paperwork and pet passport forgetting them into Europe sorted, even getting them into the UK is effortless.>

Even after and if Brexit passes?