Bringing Cats to USA

dori_dormer

Hi,

Im looking for some advise/ confirmation on some things about bringing my cats to the US. My Finace and I are moving to Arizona this year for 18months or more and are planning to bring our 2 cats with us. Ive gotten them Pet passports to make it all easier and know that they have to be tick/tapeworm done 24 hours before travel.
My questions are really about the actual travel itself as I find some sites have conflicting info.

• Do you have to fly Aer lingus in and out of Ireland?
• What types of pet carriers are you supposed to use? Size/ construction material/ ventilation ( I can find no info on this at all)
• Are there any extra vaccinations that they need for entry to US ( I cant see any but the sites always veer off into Dog stuff)
• Any other Advice for travelling with Animals to the States would be great

they also say, that food should be attached to the crate in case of delay, do you also attach all the docs and info about the animal?

If we keep the Pet passport up to date entry back into Ireland is supposed to be ok and they wont need quarantine.

Anything Ive gotten wrong? Anything Ive missed?

Thanks for all replies!

Wisco

If they have pet passports I assume they have their rabies vaccinations? In most US states, you get a tag from your vet when it's had its rabies vac that it has to wear (definitely true for dogs, I've not owned cats in the US, so not quite as sure there)- I'd imagine you can get one from your new vet by producing the pet passport.
My advice would be to read up on common diseases in the area of the country you'll live in as different parts of the country have different tick borne disease, for example. You'll also have to dose monthly for heartworm prevention. I'd say that if you register with a vet over there they'll be able to give you advice on all that sort of stuff.
As for pet carriers, it might be worth talking to someone at the airline you plan to fly with to see if they have any requirements that are specific to their company. Aside from that, you want something that can't come apart (some cat carriers have tops that come off) and that the door can't accidentally open, and some sort of absorbably bedding is good to (like vet bed or those puppy pee pads). If it was my cat, I'd attach contact info for both countries to the carrier just to be safe.
I would also look for direct flights where possible, even if they're more expensive as it cuts down on travel time and the possibility of getting lost. Some airlines also have times they won't transport animals, like when the temperature is above or below certain limits, so worth checking out that sort of thing too.
I nearly flew to North America with mine last year and was so relieved when I didn't have to as I was stressing more about putting them on a plane than the thoughts of selling all my stuff, visas, moving country, etc, so I can imagine how you're feeling about now.
Good luck and safe travels!

dan_d

Has anyone else got any info on this??

There's a possibility we'll have to fly to Canada with our 2 in the future at some point, and, like you, the thought of the cats is worrying me more than my own move.One in particular gets highly stressed - hyperventilating, peeing - by a trip in the car to the cattery down the road, and I can't bear the thought of getting her to the airport and putting her through the stress of a flight.

dori_dormer

Thanks Wisco good advice, Ill have to look into everything you mentioned!

I am really worried about them being ok while travelling. One of ours cries all the time in the car ( longest journey 30 min to the cattery) So Id be worried how distressed he'd get on a journey nearly half way round the world. Thankfully though he doesnt get sick .

I thought about giving them a sedative but when I looked it up apparently its really dangerous.

Ill update to let you know how it goes, I hope Im not being selfish taking them! Just could never give my babies up!

The Sweeper

Is there a specialist pet shipping company set up in Ireland yet? Those guys are excellent because they manage each step and know the rules, regs and requirements.

Getting an animal out of Ireland may prove easier than getting them back in, so make sure you plan the return journey early.

AmieeHeartsKeak

My uncle moved to Paris from California last year and was allowed to bring his cat on as "hand luggage" in a soft pet-carrier. He gave the cat a sedative provided by the vet, as it is less dangerous when the cat is on board with you. The cat was not given food, only water to keep her hydrated - as it's a 12 hour journey! Apparently it went as smoothly as one could hope - he changed out the 'pee-pad' and gave her a light snack in the airport bathroom when they landed so avoid having to wait til after he'd been cleared by customs. I am facing a move to the US in a year or so and will be looking into what airlines would allow my own cat on as hand luggage, and obviously I am willing to pay some extra if needed.

Shazanne

Hi all.
I have been through all the question and more that you have raised over the past couple of months with my daughter and her partner who are leaving for Canada on 29th of next month. I am looking after their two dogs for a few weeks until they are settled and ready to fly them over too.
My daughter was paranoid about EVERYTHING to do with flying her two "babies" until we found Multi Cargo, based in Santry in Dublin. They are flying both her out to New York/Seattle/Vancouver - taking care of flights, lay-overs etc. My daughter has already collected the carriers from them (for which they were measured etc) and they are currently getting used to being in them during the day. We plan of taking them out for a drive in them (a fairly bumpy one!) as well before they travel by air!
All I can say is check them out - my daughter has found them brilliant and she seems more confident about the whole thing since she met them.
Hope that's helpful to someone. Maybe they will pay me a commission!!

doctor evil

If its just for the 18 months would it not be easier for both of you to find someone to look after them?

dori_dormer

Thanks for the great advice on Multi Cargo! We ended up using them to bring our two babies to arizona!

Was all very easy, Multi cargo did all the work, papers and flights. Even provided the carriers. Irene and Rosaleen were brilliant all the way through.

Our cats made it safe and sound. Definitly a great find!

Shazanne

Great to hear that! And best of luck to you all:) My daughter is heading off to Canada at the end of the month and Multi Cargo will be flying her two dogs out to her a few weeks later when she finds somewhere to live. I will be minding them in the meantime, along with my own two - HELP!!!

Sassy58

If anyone wants info please let me know - a girl I know adopted 2 cats off me - she moved to America 2 years ago - the cats stayed with me for a week at which stage the Pet Cargo Company came and collected the cats from me they provided the pet carriers for the cats I had their pet passports the company for the vet to check them before they flew and signed off that they were fit and healthy

The family are returning to Ireland in September of this year and the cats will be arriving at my house a week before the people are due back in ireland and the same Pet Cargo Company will be bringing them back.

I know it was a little expensive but the company literally organised the transport of the pets from door to door - they dealt with customs and the airlines and it was much less stressful on the owners

If you want their details just drop me a pm