Travelling with a cat from Italy to Ireland

Gabriele78

Hi all, I have gone through different threads but couldn't find the answer I am looking for...
I am going back to Ireland but I am bringing with me a Persian cat that I adopted from a shelter. I will be travelling from Italy and I am trying to figure out how I can transport the cat so that I don't have to drive to France and then get a ferry over to Ireland.
From what I could read online no European airline is permitted to transport pets in the cabin into Ireland, I checked whether Aer Lingus could take the cat in the hold on the same flight as me but he is a snub-nosed cat so he is not permitted to travel in the hold due to possible respiratory problems. I don't really want to have him shipped over by a cargo company, has anybody travelled from continental Europe to Ireland by plane with their pet in recent months? Is my only option getting a ferry from France?
Thank you all for your help!
Gabriele

Ms Doubtfire1

Gabrielle,
have you got all the paperwork in order?

akesha

I brought my cat from Spain to Ireland two years ago, and I didn't find a way. I had to fly to Paris (my cat was on the cabin with me), rent a car to get to Cherbourg and get the ferry.

And bringing the cat via ferry is not ideal either, the kennels are tiny, and they are in the same deck as the cars (the alarms went off and my cat was really scared). You are only allowed to check the cat 3 times (fixed hours, they will tell you). Also, the movement of the ferry got my cat sick..

If I had to do it again, I would drive myself all the way even if it takes me days to arrive :rolleyes:

Gabriele78

Ms Doubtfire1 wrote: »

Gabrielle,
have you got all the paperwork in order?

Yes, he has everything he needs to travel to Ireland. He has his EU pet passport, he has been microchipped and he was vaccinated against the rabies today, so he is allowed to enter Ireland any day after 1st October 2016. I have contacted cargo companies and airlines but I cannot figure out why he is not allowed to travel in the cabin of an airplane into Ireland. I thought this was a restriction from the Irish Department of Agriculture but on their website they clearly specify that airlines are authorized to import live animals into the Republic of Ireland and it is solely at their discretion whether they want to let them fly in the cabin or in the hold. It seems like there is some sort of tacit agreement between airlines flying into Ireland that either they don't transport pets at all or, if they do, they only transport them via cargo so that you have to pay much more than what you would pay if you were to travel with your pet in the cabin...

Gabriele78

akesha wrote: »

I brought my cat from Spain to Ireland two years ago, and I didn't find a way. I had to fly to Paris (my cat was on the cabin with me), rent a car to get to Cherbourg and get the ferry.

And bringing the cat via ferry is not ideal either, the kennels are tiny, and they are in the same deck as the cars (the alarms went off and my cat was really scared). You are only allowed to check the cat 3 times (fixed hours, they will tell you). Also, the movement of the ferry got my cat sick..

If I had to do it again, I would drive myself all the way even if it takes me days to arrive :rolleyes:

Thanks for the input, I am also thinking of driving all the way to France and then get the ferry over to Ireland. I thought that pets in a cage were allowed to stay in the vehicle during the voyage but it seems like they have to go into this special room where you are only allowed to visit them at specific hours...that sucks big time. I do love my cat but the idea of him having to endure two days of driving across Italy and France and then a long ferry boat trip in a cargo room makes me wonder if it really is a good idea to take him to Ireland...

Ms Doubtfire1

Gabriele78 wrote: »

Yes, he has everything he needs to travel to Ireland. He has his EU pet passport, he has been microchipped and he was vaccinated against the rabies today, so he is allowed to enter Ireland any day after 1st October 2016. I have contacted cargo companies and airlines but I cannot figure out why he is not allowed to travel in the cabin of an airplane into Ireland. I thought this was a restriction from the Irish Department of Agriculture but on their website they clearly specify that airlines are authorized to import live animals into the Republic of Ireland and it is solely at their discretion whether they want to let them fly in the cabin or in the hold. It seems like there is some sort of tacit agreement between airlines flying into Ireland that either they don't transport pets at all or, if they do, they only transport them via cargo so that you have to pay much more than what you would pay if you were to travel with your pet in the cabin...

I had 4 cats transported to Ireland years back from Belgium, and they were indeed transported as cargo by lufthansa. However they were in a specific animal cargo where the area is heated and no other luggage is around.They arrived quite relaxed.

Ms Doubtfire1

in addition- you might even be allowed to transport your cat in the cabin according to this with Lufthansa:

Lufthansa will transport animals either in the passenger cabin or in the aircraft's cargo hold, depending on the animal's weight and size.
Timely registration is necessary. ...
Charges for transporting animals. ...
Unaccompanied animals.


http://www.pettravel.com/airline_pet_rules/lufthansa_airlines.cfm

Gabriele78

Ms Doubtfire1 wrote: »

Gabriele78 wrote: »

Yes, he has everything he needs to travel to Ireland. He has his EU pet passport, he has been microchipped and he was vaccinated against the rabies today, so he is allowed to enter Ireland any day after 1st October 2016. I have contacted cargo companies and airlines but I cannot figure out why he is not allowed to travel in the cabin of an airplane into Ireland. I thought this was a restriction from the Irish Department of Agriculture but on their website they clearly specify that airlines are authorized to import live animals into the Republic of Ireland and it is solely at their discretion whether they want to let them fly in the cabin or in the hold. It seems like there is some sort of tacit agreement between airlines flying into Ireland that either they don't transport pets at all or, if they do, they only transport them via cargo so that you have to pay much more than what you would pay if you were to travel with your pet in the cabin...

I had 4 cats transported to Ireland years back from Belgium, and they were indeed transported as cargo by lufthansa. However they were in a specific animal cargo where the area is heated and no other luggage is around.They arrived quite relaxed.

That is good news, I might go down this route too, I could actually fly with the cat in the cabin from Italy to Germany and then have the cat shipped over to Ireland through Lufthansa cargo. I assume it is quite expensive, so far, for the very same transportation method, they have quoted me over 900 euro from Switzerland to Ireland with Swiss cargo...It is a bit of a joke that pets are not allowed in the cabin from and into the UK and Ireland despite the two countries being part of the EU, if I were to fly to France or Germany, for instance, I wouldn't need to fork out 1000 euro for the transportation of my cat...
Everything seems to be running smoother on the continent!

Ms Doubtfire1

Gabriele78 wrote: »

That is good news, I might go down this route too, I could actually fly with the cat in the cabin from Italy to Germany and then have the cat shipped over to Ireland through Lufthansa cargo. I assume it is quite expensive, so far, for the very same transportation method, they have quoted me over 900 euro from Switzerland to Ireland with Swiss cargo...It is a bit of a joke that pets are not allowed in the cabin from and into the UK and Ireland despite the two countries being part of the EU, if I were to fly to France or Germany, for instance, I wouldn't need to fork out 1000 euro for the transportation of my cat...
Everything seems to be running smoother on the continent!

it does indeed. stay where you are.you could fly kitty into Belgium, close to the ferry port and take the ferry from dublin there . but really, the cargo flights for reputable (non-Irish) airlines are good.

Gabriele78

Ms Doubtfire1 wrote: »

Gabriele78 wrote: »

That is good news, I might go down this route too, I could actually fly with the cat in the cabin from Italy to Germany and then have the cat shipped over to Ireland through Lufthansa cargo. I assume it is quite expensive, so far, for the very same transportation method, they have quoted me over 900 euro from Switzerland to Ireland with Swiss cargo...It is a bit of a joke that pets are not allowed in the cabin from and into the UK and Ireland despite the two countries being part of the EU, if I were to fly to France or Germany, for instance, I wouldn't need to fork out 1000 euro for the transportation of my cat...
Everything seems to be running smoother on the continent!

it does indeed. stay where you are.you could fly kitty into Belgium, close to the ferry port and take the ferry from dublin there . but really, the cargo flights for reputable (non-Irish) airlines are good.

Haha, I can't stay there anymore, I have to decide between my cat and my partner so I am trying to find a compromise and take the cat with me...I will look into the Belgium option too, it seems like a good alternative to driving all the way to Cherbourg in France.

muddypaws

Gabriele78 wrote: »

Thanks for the input, I am also thinking of driving all the way to France and then get the ferry over to Ireland. I thought that pets in a cage were allowed to stay in the vehicle during the voyage but it seems like they have to go into this special room where you are only allowed to visit them at specific hours...that sucks big time. I do love my cat but the idea of him having to endure two days of driving across Italy and France and then a long ferry boat trip in a cargo room makes me wonder if it really is a good idea to take him to Ireland...

There are two ferry companies, Irish Ferries insists on the animals going into the kennels, Stena Line allows them to stay in the vehicle.

Gabriele78

muddypaws wrote: »

Gabriele78 wrote: »

Thanks for the input, I am also thinking of driving all the way to France and then get the ferry over to Ireland. I thought that pets in a cage were allowed to stay in the vehicle during the voyage but it seems like they have to go into this special room where you are only allowed to visit them at specific hours...that sucks big time. I do love my cat but the idea of him having to endure two days of driving across Italy and France and then a long ferry boat trip in a cargo room makes me wonder if it really is a good idea to take him to Ireland...

There are two ferry companies, Irish Ferries insists on the animals going into the kennels, Stena Line allows them to stay in the vehicle.

Oh wow, that's wonderful news! I didn't know that Stena allowed cats to stay in the car! You really made my day with this piece of info! Thanks a lot!!!

kathleen37

What about the train? I would think that would be quicker and more comfortable than travelling by car for both of you?

I would be very, very wary of taking a snub nose cat on a plane, for same reason you are not allowed to tranquillise animals on planes; the pressurised cabin could affect blood pressure and breathing. It's been a few years since travelling with my dogs (in the hold) and at that time, I always used to have to have a vets letter for the airline saying they gave permission for them to fly as there were no underlying health conditions.

I've never been aware of animals in the cabin ever being allowed in either the UK or Ireland.

I hope you get something sorted.

muddypaws

Gabriele78 wrote: »

Oh wow, that's wonderful news! I didn't know that Stena allowed cats to stay in the car! You really made my day with this piece of info! Thanks a lot!!!

We're going to France next month, and our dogs are staying in the van. http://www.stenaline.ie/ferries-to-france/pet-travel

Glass fused light

If you are considering the train having a look at www dot seat61 dot com / Italy dot htm to get to London then train to Holyhead for the ferry. May work out cheeper if you can afford the travel time plus the if the weather is bad sea part is much shorter.

Oops sorry. just check the web page its guide dogs only on Eurostar

aonb

Dont know if any of these are any help OP, they refer to travelling from europe to UK, but if you get your cat to UK, its a drive/1.5 hour ferry crossing to Ireland - someone might come pick you up by car??


http://pet-express.com/services/international-travel/

https://www.pbspettravel.co.uk/

http://www.poshpetstravel.com/

this last one says "Travelling to the UK with your pet inside the aircraft cabin is possible with Pet Moves. Just fly to Charles de Gaulle and we'll take you the rest of the way" so it must be possible!

http://www.pet-moves.com/

http://www.movetoireland.com/movepag/petover.htm

Gabriele78

Thank you all for your answers, I have now opted for the ferry option from France!

aonb

Good luck!
Let us know how you get on.
Is your cat used to the car/travelling? It might be worth a discussion with your vet if a sedative or a calmer rather might be an option?

(I collected my cat yesterday from her 5* cattery - YOWLED and howled and miaow'd all the way home, then threw up spectacularly just as we pulled into the driveway :P It was the longest 20 minute drive ever :P )

Riesen_Meal

Gabriele78 wrote: »

Thank you all for your answers, I have now opted for the ferry option from France!

I am only seeing the thread now, my mother works for a cargo company here in Ireland that specialises in animal transportation, they are fantastic at what they do, check it out if you decide against the ferry route :

http://multicargo.ie/pet_transport.htm

I have no affiliation to the company myself, just thought I'd give the OP a heads up...

Best of luck with the move!

lbs

Hi.

I'm live in Ireland and I've opened a case together with the Minister of Agriculture.

I've receive an official position from Ireland side.

This is an airlines decision and I still struggling to allows pet in cabin from other countries to ROI.

Maybe many many years ago before Ireland became ROI they are following UK rules but things change and the world is changing.

Since August/2016 I'm together with KLM as well to confirm this or update (I've send this letter to them as well)

Follow the answer for the letter from the Minister of Agriculture.

"Dear Leonardo,
I refer further to your recent correspondence in relation to travelling difficulties you encountered
recently when bringing your pet dog to Ireland.
I can confirm that my Department does not require the carriage of pets accompanied by their
owners as freight within the EU. This is made clear on our website. Nevertheless, I will arrange to
have all registered airlines notified lest there be any misunderstanding in the matter.
I hope this information is of assistance to you."

I also requested the Minister assistant to notified the airlines about this.

Hope it helps.

Regards,

Leonardo Bissoli.

sandypas76

akesha wrote: »

If I had to do it again, I would drive myself all the way even if it takes me days to arrive :rolleyes:

Hi, I am just reading this forum as I also want to bring my cat from Italy to Dublin. I'm considering travelling either by train + ferry or by car and ferry.
If I don't have him to fly, the ferry is the only other option.

I don't understand your sentence, the one I quoted.
It sounds as if the ferry wasn't a good experience but then you say "I would drive all the way myself"...instead of what? if you drive all the way yourself, would you still not have to bring the cat on the ferry?
What's the difference if the cat were allowed to stay in your vehicle instead of the kennels?

I don't have much of a choice since I don't want to spend €1000 + the cost of flight tickets for myself (from Dublin to Rome and then Rome to Dublin, since I live in Dublin and my cat is at my parent's house).
With the train and ferry I would spend about €300 for myself and the cat.
It's a long trip but I think he will be fine since he's with me. He'll have to be patient on the ferry and I'll give him extra cuddles once we arrive.

The cargo story is a pile of bull****
I thought that he would be shipped separately but this is not the case.
Basically, a cargo company in Rome explained to me that they would book my cat on one of the airlines who also do cargo (e.g. AerLingus or Lufthansa) and I could very well book myself on the SAME aircraft (e.g. the AE flight leaving Rome at 11.15am), so I'd be in the passengers' cabin and my cat would be UNDERNEATH in a pressurised area.
However, it's not possible to book the cat directly. It must be done via freight forwarding company.

I agree with Leonardo.

Maybe many many years ago before Ireland became ROI they are following UK rules but things change and the world is changing.

I have the impression that years ago Ireland and the UK used to have the same pet policy, then the Dept of Agriculture lifted the ban or embargo to pets travelling into Ireland, but the airlines didn't change their pet policies and on Iberia's website for example they even write that "Ireland only allows pets to travel as manifested freight".

I emailed them to let them know that this is not true!