UrbanBeeBoy

We own a broken coat JRT - a rescued dog from the US now living in Canada with us.

We have decided to fly our dog on vacation to Australia.
We are flying from Toronto to Vancouver for an over night then on to Australia the next day.
Lucy will travel as manifested cargo to Australia.
We are deciding weather to check her on as 'checked luggage' from Toronto to Vancouver
or try to carry her on.
Anyone done this or something similar?
Matthew.

DebitNM

What does manifested cargo mean? In the cargo hold?

What kind of vacation is that for the dog? Really. Sounds like hell.

Have you checked into animal quarantine in Australia? Will they even let you bring her in for a vacation?

Do you dog a favor - find someplace for it stay in your home town while you go away.

DebitNM

A dog that is not sharing quarantine accommodation and eligible for minimum Australian quarantine period of 30 days will cost approximately AUD$1305.

You must be kidding, right??

http://www.daff.gov.au/biosecurity/c...t4?name=Canada

doug_stallings

I also think this is inadvisable unless you are immigrating or unless this is a months long trip (even then I think it's a bad idea).

But if you are going to do it, you should really carry the dog on the flight to Vancouver if you can. Then she can sleep in your hotel room and be crated the following day. It's not difficult to carry a dog onto a domestic flight in the U.S. as long as the dog is 25 pounds or less; I suspect it's similar in Canada, but I could be wrong. I certainly do this all the time with my dog, who weights about 10 pounds.

But it does pose some logistical problems. You'd need an airline carrier for the first flight and would then have to purchase the crate in Vancouver before you leave for Australia. Not sure if that's even possible given your layover.

But I'd strongly reconsider. Leave the dog with a trusted relative or friend, and she'll be much happier, even though she'll miss you.

DebitNM

Most Jack Russell Terriers are very high spirited [strung] and I think being in cargo for that long of a trip, then in quarantine for at least a month would be awful.

Dukey1

Do those cargo holds have lights? I am sorry but I do not think subjecting an animal to that sort of situation, lights or not, is doing them, or yourself any favors. I would be worried out of my mind if it were me but I guess I'm just a sentimental jerk.

nytraveler

Unless this trip is many months long you are torturing the poor dog for nothing. How would you like to be stuck in a hold in a tiny box for so many hours? Much better to get a dog sitter or leave with friends or family - assuming you are talking a matter of weeks. Your dog has no desire to see Australia. And while it would prefer to stay with you at home - it would rather be at home or with friends than hauled twice around the world twice as cargo.

I would never take a pet unless moving - and then only in the cabin (or by ship if the animal is too large to be in a plane cabin).

And have you looked into requirements for quarantine, vet certificates, booster injections and having your dog microchipped.

This is just a really bad idea.

And what will you do when you get there? Are you camping?
Do you have hotels that will accept dogs? And you do realize you can;t leave the dog all day in the hotel alone - you have to take the dog with you basically everywhere - at least to places it is allowed in.

starrs

I would not take the dog to Australia for a vacation. Do the pup a favor and find a nice doggie resort for his/her vacation.

janisj

Welcome to Fodors UrbanBeeBoy. Sorry to say but that is a Horrible idea IMO. Even relocating, i'd think twice. (BTW - I have flown dogs and cats -- only for major moves not for 'holidays'. And most went well but not always and I'd be hard pressed to do it again)

This is your vacation. Your dog will be much happier in his own territory w/ a pet sitter or even in a boarding kennel than on a flight to OZ. Would you be happy in the hold of a plane just so your 'master' could say "I love my baby so much I'm taking him on holiday half way around the world."

This would be for you not for the poor dog.

diann24

I have a Bichon Frise and he travels with us on the plane as a carry on. He is great I would NEVER EVER put my dog in cargo. If you research a high % of dogs die in there. Do your dog a favor and leave him home. That would be the best idea for your dog. Cargo is awful for a dog.

cybor

>

I haven't checked the stats on this for awhile but there are height restrictions as well as weight restrictions on bringing a dog into the cabin. My 19lb Beagle is too tall. JRussells are about the same height.

spirobulldog

I have had dogs in the past and even like dogs. That said, I have never treated one like it's a human. They have always lived as outside dogs and have lived good long lives(10, 14, and 8 years). I would never fly with a dog or a cat and make other people miserable around me. I don't understand why airlines even allow this. It's as bad as someone smoking in public, IMOP. I absolutely hate when I get a hotel room that has had a dog or cig smoke in it. I certainly can't imagine spending a full day on a flight with a dog overseas.

simpsonc510

As I was getting off the plane from Europe the other day, I saw a dog that I had no idea was riding just two rows behind me on the flight!! Not one yip or bark out of it the entire trip. (are there sedatives or something you can give a small dog to keep it quiet?) Anyway, I sometimes have issues with allergies if I'm around a dog (or cat) with long thick fur. Thank goodness that was not an issue on this 10 hour flight.

I have to agree that taking a dog to Australia and putting it in the cargo hold, and then having it be quarantined after that would be torturous for the animal.

DebitNM

My guess is that either the OP won't ever show his face here again and even attempt a comment or it was a troll post. I hope that if they were serious, they have had a chance to rethink it and pick better options for that poor dog. Great that they rescued it, but then to put the dog through this TWICE is really unthinkable.

diann24

DebitNM it would not surprise me if it was a troll. Many people ask about various subjects(where to honeymoon.) Never hear from them again.

spirobulldog, I find it odd with such an attitude you would think of even having dogs--other than protection perhaps as they were outside dogs. I don't think my Bichon makes anyone unhappy no matter where he is--he is a registered Therapy dog where we visit the sick, the dying in hospice centers, the elderly in nursing homes who had frozen faces till we arrived not to mention the children and he has brought many a smile to many a face who would not have smiled had we not visited.

I would hardly label a dog a nuisance. On long flights I have been more annoyed by people around me then I would an animal. (I suspect you might be one of them (smile)

spirobulldog

diann24
I owned American Bulldogs for many years. Chance from Homeward Bound or Petey from Little Rascals, if you aren't familiar with them. (AB's are not to be confused with Pits or English Bulldogs). Anyway, they catch wild hogs and love to do it. My dogs were titled as Catch Dogs and were also trained to a somewhat fairly high level. I actually bred one of my females twice to Rattler(Chance from the 1st Homeward Bound). Rattler was a titled Catch Dog, A therapy Dog, Protection(Schutzhund), and Arson Detection. His owner was picky about what dogs he bred with. I have shipped dogs in the cargo(always on direct flights only)and never had a problem. Shipping frozen semen, is the way to go, as far as breeding with a dog from a long distance. If I had a dog that was nervous, then no, I wouldn't have considered shipping it, but then I wouldn't have kept that kind of dog in the first place. And yes, these dogs are protective. All of my dogs had CGC(Canine Good Citizen). Although, I must admit this isn't super hard to get. I always had a yard full of children that played with my daughter. I wouldn't have had these dogs if I were concerned with the safety of others.

I also had, Dachshunds for several years. These are the type of dog that I always somehow end up sitting by on an airplane. Little Yippers that drive me crazy, when confined to somewhere like an airplane. BTW, I rarely talk much on a plane, I can't sleep(so I don't snore) and I am not overweight, so I don't think you would be annoyed by me.

Do keep in mind we live in a place where it doesn't get overly cold. It does get warm in the summer here though. We have a large fenced yard with a ton of room and great shelter

diann24

Ahhh those little Dachshunds. Yes I had one years ago. They are little yappers for sure. Oddly enough according to statistics more people are bitten by that type of dog than pit bulls. It just never makes the headlines or the news media. I was under the impression that the Bulldogs breathing is harbored by there nose anatomy and not good candidates for cargo shipping or perhaps I am thinking of another type of dog. I know I read it someplace.

I live on the East Coast I cannot imagine ever leaving my dog outside given the weather.