Moving and send cats by Continental
 

Hi. I am moving from Houston to Boston in a few weeks and would like to know if anyone has sent their cats or any other pets via Continental pet cargo. If you have, please share your experience. It would help me immensely. If you've used any other airlines, please reply also. Any wisdom would be truly helpful. Thanks.

Jenny, you may want to check with Continental (if you haven't already) to see if this service is offered when you need it. I know that Delta recently discontinued all summer pet cargo services due to the heat.

Can't you drive them? I would not trust any airlines, and especially not now, with this heat. I would try and find another solution.

<BR>Jenny - as Brian said, you need to check with the airline first because of the temperature restrictions, also because the airlines all have different policies with regards to how many pets allowed per flight, the type of airplane etc. <BR>In general though, to ship by cargo (not the same as excess baggage), pet needs to be at the cargo facility at least two hours prior to departure, needs a current (usually within 30 days) health certificate with rabies, signed by a vet. And of course has to be in an airline approved crate (and I'd suggest securing with bungee cords too besides the crate nuts/bolts.) I wouldn't recommend tranquiizing, but do what your vet says. <BR> <BR>My dogs have flown all over, not my cats but I hope this helps.

Jenny, <BR>If you can possibly do it drive out, in the long run it is less difficult and stressful on the cats. The heat is a huge factor in airline pet transport. Someone I know just moved from Florida to AZ with 5 cats and in order to do it they rented a van for the trip out so the kitties had room and all were reasonably comfortable (granted the cats were not thrilled to be traveling, but at least they were not left sitting in a cage in some hot airport cargo area). We've moved and took our 2 cats in the car with us -- it was not a great deal of fun, but it worked out. You do have to make sure they are in their carrying cases when you get out of the car tho! Shipping them by air would be my last possible choice. My husband works for a pet store (large chain) and he really discourages people from flying their pets as he has heard too many horror stories.

My brother shipped two cats from L.A. to Pittsburgh, Pa, via U.S. Air. The one cat almost died of pneumonia and he spent lots of money in vet bills. I just don't think they travel as well as dogs and dogs don't do a great job of it either. If you have to move your car anyway, why not make a vacation of it and drive the cats. Many motels will accept pets in crates. Good luck.

Thanks for all of your input. I've called a few airlines. I am aware that a number of the airlines have ceased pet transport because of the heat. I have been considering Continental's Quickpak service which is climate controlled. The animals can arrive as little as 30 minutes before the flight and can be picked up immediately. <BR> <BR>I've considered the drive, but it does not seem possible. 4 days of driving plus the stress of an upset household seem to be too much to handle (in comparison to 5-7 hours travel on a plane). <BR> <BR>I really appreciate all of your help. I hope I can resolve this situation soon. <BR> <BR>Many thanks.