Hey all (@Icon?) I am starting to consider moving back to the US but I has cats. I’ve read in a few places that shipping cats cargo is fine/nothing to worry about and in others I’ve seen horror stories (thrown/smashed crates, animals disappearing or dead). So, since it looks like a lot of airlines do not allow one to carry their pets on board, does anyone know of pet relocation companies? I’ve found one sofar that hasn’t kicked me over to a company based on China. Everyone else only does moves that originate in the US (what are people supposed to do if/when they go back??) I don’t want to pay thousands of USD for some company that also doesn’t know what it’s doing to potentially be even worse than just handing my pet off to the airline to throw into cargo. (I was quoted “starting costs are US$6,000” from the one company that said they ship from and to anywhere in the world and my thought was “can I book a business class seat for them instead?”)
I think going cargo is a bit different from being put in the cargo hold of a passenger plane.
There are several pet relocation companies but I have only heard of them, not used their service.
Yes, horror stories are aplenty. I personally know of people who have lost their pets while traveling, even at the airport. So yes, this is something that had to be carefully planned.
You arrange all your paperwork with the quarantine folks this side. Have all the paperwork (ask very detailed questions on your country of import…eg. USA…and get paper records of them saying all yeh requirements)
Get whatever shots, wait whatever time frames your importing country dictates for your species and country of origin (eg. Felis catus, Taiwan). The logistics of actually going is relatively painless and easy. You go with your cat, confirming with your airline and customs/quarantine your cage size, requests etc. Pay the cargo fee and fly with your pet. Pick it up on the other end and go through the importing country’s quarantine check with a ll paperwork and bobs your uncle.
Taiwan being more or less rabies free makes it insanely easy to export these animals to many countries. But there have been a few cases of wild rabies in the last few years, so it is very important you double check with your importing country’s current laws, get it in writing and check thrice. Paying for government quarantine on the import side is not only a pain in the ass, it’s expensive and that’s where dead pet stories likely are to arise from.
It is important that an experienced and reputable vet handles the paperwork.
Where are you in Taiwan?
Taipei
I’m trying to plan for taiwan to USA, so quarantine isn’t an issue
I suggest you go to the vet Dr Yang - who you will probably be going to see anyway for the initial required shots, and ask him. I recall he had a contact for a relocation company.
He ran through all the procedures required, and I did it all myself - to the UK, via Holland and a ferry (live pets cannot enter the UK on a plane).
I was put off by a relocation service due to the fees and that there could still be something that goes wrong - like the change of plane the animals would have had to have experienced.
I would rather they were on the same flight as me.
I would suggest do some research on all the carriers to the US you have an option to fly with.
I flew with China Airlines and they were good. When I got onto the plane I had the stewards double-check the cats were on board and all was well.