Airports closed
NYC Authorities have closed all 3 New York area airports to commercial traffic. They are scheduled to reopen at 12noon on Monday, Aug 29. Needless to say this has hampered people and pet transit for this busy weekend. Try to avoid the east coast altogether if possible because of Hurricane Irene’s high winds and torrential winds.
Washington to Abu Dhabi
Spencer Lunt the Boston Terrier left Washington DC today on his way to Amsterdam which is the mid way point for his trip to Abu Dhabi. He will layover in Amsterdam before transferring to another flight on Sunday to Abu Dhabi for the final leg of his trip to be reunited with his mother Clair. If all goes according to plan he will be in his mothers arms by 10:00-11:00pm UAE time Sunday night.
Atlanta to Dubai
Chuy, the Chihuahua and Takara, the Japanese Chin left Atlanta tonight for Amsterdam on their way to Abu Dhabi for the final destination of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. They will arrive in Dubai on Monday but will have to board at Pets Zone boarding kennel until Tim and Tina can find a home that will accept pets. Hopefully this will not take long and the family will be reunited soon.
Atlanta to London
Hi John,
Thank you for your help, we have the girls at home now and they are really enjoying the cooler weather here. Thank you so much for your help and support, we will obviously be using your services for Ruby and I will be sure to recommend you to anyone else. If you wish to use me as a reference please feel free.
Kind regards
Diane Lovell
New Jersey to Abu Dhabi
Hi Angela,
Cinder, Yoda, and Roscoe are at the villa and doing well. Thank you!
Gail
Caroline’s move from Atlanta to Abu Dhabi
| Angela,
Just a quick note to say thank you! Caroline made it to my husband Scott in Abu Dhabi without a hitch and that meant the world to me! Scott said that she looked great and was extremely happy to see him. She was doing so well that she ran straight to the pool in the back yard and jumped in within 10 minutes of being there. My daughter and I are looking forward to being reunited with them in July. Thank you again and may you have a blessed week! Kind Regards, Anita Donahue |
Honduras to US-Cleveland
Hi Angela – I’m writing you to confirm that my sister Vicki picked up Oscar last night without incident and while she said he seemed a little disoriented and shy (to be expected!), he was just fine. She said that the cargo pick-up was quick and easy and the plane was just a little bit delayed but nothing major. Our family will be going up there on Saturday so hopefully he’ll realize he’s among family once again!
I’m very happy I decided to use your services as it took a huge weight off of my mind. I don’t think I told you that I was originally checking into using another company that our Foreign Service union had advertised (they were offering a discount), but the prices were so high I was really feeling nervous about it. I decided to shop around a little and you offered the same thing for about 30% less than they were. These services aren’t inexpensive but again, I’m glad I did it this way. Thanks again and I will recommend you to other people who want to go the easier and safer route for their pets.
Cynthia Chassy
Pet Insurance
Season’s are changing and many of our four-legged friends and their families will begin vacations. When helping our friends with their travel plans, don’t forget insurance is now available.
Pet Relocation Insurance offers for cats and dogs, flexible insurance options covering:
1) Pre-export inland transit in the country of origin,
2) Until safe discharge from the aircraft at airport of destination (up to an additional 3 days, but in no event beyond the moment shipment is safely received at final destination),
3) Quarantine coverage,
4) At any point during the period of coverage if the pet becomes injured, ill or is in distress.
For more information and to fill out an application for coverage, please go to our website at www.petreloins.net
Traveling With Your Pet
SUMMER vacation is no longer just for two-legged travelers. Room service menus for Fido, massages for over-stressed terriers and tabbies, cushy beds for canines: many hotels have been ratcheting up the pet amenities. Best Western has even hired Cesar Millan of National Geographic Channel’s “Dog Whisperer” to be the chain’s pet travel expert. The problem is getting your pet to the destination.
In recent years, transporting pets on commercial flights has grown more complicated — and more expensive. All major carriers have significantly raised the fees they charge for bringing pets onboard, matching, or in some cases, surpassing, the $100 surcharge each way they typically charge for children flying alone. Fees vary depending on whether the pet flies under your seat, or as checked baggage or cargo, which involve extra handling. American, Delta, United and Continental charge $125 each way for pets in the cabin. United charges the most for pets traveling as checked baggage: $250 each way or $500 round trip.
Pet safety has also become a more pressing issue. Incidents of animals being lost, injured or dying have recently risen. Thirty-nine animals died while flying aboard commercial jets in the United States last year, compared with 22 in 2009, according to the Department of Transportation. Thirteen were injured and five were lost. Delta was responsible for a significant portion of the increase, with 16 deaths and 6 injuries in 2010, compared with 3 deaths and no injuries the previous year.
While those numbers are a small percentage of the hundreds of thousands of animals flown by the airlines each year, they expose the dangers that pets may face while traveling. Not that airlines don’t anticipate risks. Carriers typically will not accept pets as checked baggage or cargo when the temperature is forecast to exceed 85 degrees or fall below 20 degrees at any location on the animal’s itinerary. Also, many airlines will not accept snub-nosed pets, like bulldogs or Persian cats, as cargo since they are prone to breathing problems. Delta, for instance, which reported several bulldog fatalities last year, has changed its policy and now bans the breed from its planes.
Mixed breeds can also be turned away as Bruce Max Feldmann learned when he and his 70-pound mutt, Chicha, an American Staffordshire terrier cross, showed up at the American Airlines ticket counter for a flight from San Francisco to León, Guanajuato, Mexico, earlier this year. When he called the airline to confirm the reservation, he was told that the only requirements for his dog were that the carrier and animal meet a 100-pound weight limit and that the pet’s vaccinations be current. But the check-in agent said that not only was his dog on the list of restricted breeds, but that the pet carrier was also too big for the plane. “I was shocked and angry,” said Mr. Feldmann, a retired veterinarian from Berkeley, Calif., who was rebooked the next day on a United flight to Los Angeles, where he transferred to an Alaska Airlines flight to Guadalajara, a three-hour drive from León. The ordeal ended up costing him an extra $978 ($528 for a last-minute, first-class ticket on Alaska, and $450 for a car from Guadalajara to Guanajuato).
American points out that it lists restricted breeds and carrier dimensions on its Web site under Traveling with Pets. Despite such inconveniences, airlines say they are going out of their way to be pet friendly. Delta has climate-controlled holding areas for pets shipped as cargo that are connecting at its hubs in Atlanta, Cincinnati, Dallas and Salt Lake City. JetBlue has a frequent-flier program for pets called JetPaws that allows customers to earn extra miles when flying with a pet. And last year Frontier Airlines, in response to demand, began accepting small pets in the passenger cabin for the first time for a fee of $75 each way. Previously it had transported pets only as baggage.
If you are considering putting your pet on a plane, here are a few tips to smooth the process. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE RIGHT CARRIER Requirements vary by airlines and size of plane, so make sure you know what those requirements are before you arrive at the airport. Delta says maximum carry-on kennel dimensions are determined by your flight, so you must contact reservations to determine the appropriate size. The maximum size for cabin pet carriers on American is 19 inches long by 13 inches wide by 9 inches high. Animals must be able to stand up, turn around and lie down in a natural position in the kennel. Sherpa Pet Group, known for its pet carriers (from $40 to $156) offers a program that guarantees that its carriers are compliant with airline rules and will refund the cost of your airline flight and your pet’s travel fee to those who sign up at Flygob.com. BOOK EARLY Airlines limit the number of pets in the cabin, so don’t wait until the last minute to book. PREPARE YOUR PET FOR TRAVEL Cesar Millan suggests taking the time to acclimate your pet to the carrier by placing it on the floor of the car so the pet can feel the vibration as it will on a plane. Mr. Millan also recommends using lavender oil as an “association scent” to help the pet relax on the plane. At feeding times and before walks, place a drop of the oil on your hands and let your dog pick up the scent. Once onboard, “the positive association will allow him to calm down and remain relaxed,” Mr. Millan explained. Finally, Mr. Millan said, take your dog for an extra-long walk or run to help drain his energy before the flight. “The more tired he is,” Mr. Millan said, “the more likely he will be to sleep and relax during the flight.”
CHECK OUT PET AIRWAYS Based in Delray Beach, Fla., Pet Airways began offering pet-only flights in 2009 and currently serves nine destinations across the United States, including Los Angeles, Chicago, New York and Fort Lauderdale. The airline recently announced plans to fly to Orlando, Fla.; St. Louis; Houston; Austin, Tex.; and Dallas this summer. Pets fly in a climate-controlled passenger cabin, outfitted with individual crates instead of seats, where a flight attendant checks on the animals every 15 minutes. Fares begin at $99 each way from New York to Baltimore, $199 from New York to Chicago and $249 from New York to Fort Lauderdale. After landing, pets are given a potty break, and can be picked up by their owners at the airline’s Pet Lounge at the airport.
GIVE YOUR PET ITS OWN VACATION There are a growing number of kennels (including some near airports) with upscale pet amenities from bone-shaped wading pools to pet cams so that owners can log onto the Web and catch a glimpse of their cat or dog at play. Best Friends Pet Care Inc., a chain of 42 boarding centers in 19 states across the country, offers tiered accommodations from standard rooms (about $30 a night for dogs and $19 for cats) to V.I.P. suites ($60 to $70) complete with flat-screen TVs, webcams and a roster of add-ons like chewy treats for dogs ($2), cookies and milk for cats ($4) or cuddling ($8 for 10 minutes). Similarly, PetSmart, the pet-store chain, offers PetsHotels, equipped with Poochy Cots, TVs tuned to animal shows and special ventilation systems so the dogs and cats don’t smell one another. The average boarding rate is about $30 a night for dogs and $17 a night for cats.
Louisiana to Costa Rica
Dear Angela,
We would like to thank you and all your dedicated staff for taking such competent and sincere care of our “puppies”!
When we decided to move from Costa Rica from Louisiana, the most stressful part of the upcoming move was finding a way to get our dogs there too, safely. Having 2 giant breed dogs and 1 extra large dog posed many problems- most commercial airlines simply would not accept dogs of their size, as the custom kennels required would not fit into the cargo hold of the planes. After hours of research into commercial planes, private planes, cargo ships, and cruise ships, I finally was referred to you by someone who said you had an office out of Costa Rica. Imagine my relief when we spoke and you told me not to worry, and that you could fly my babies to San Jose with no problem! I probably asked the same safety questions a million times, but was always patiently reassured.
One road trip to Miami later, our 2 English Mastiffs (Bruno 200+ lbs. and Petra 170+ lbs) along with our sweet mixed breed Akita/St. Bernard (Suki 75 lbs.) were loaded into the crates that you arranged for us, and loaded into the cargo plane. A few hours later, they arrived safe and sound in Costa Rica, and have been living the “Pura Vida” on our property ever since.
Anyone who feels like it is an impossible task flying giant breed dogs out of the country safely can rest assured that it IS, in fact, possible, and that World Pet Travel is the company who can help ease your mind and take care of everything you need.
Thank you!
Kelly and Michael
Continental jet makes emergency landing
At least four people were treated for respiratory distress and one person was taken to a hospital, it says.
The Houston-bound plane took off shortly before 9 a.m. local time. The plane landed away from the main terminal as a precaution and to accommodate firefighters wearing hazardous materials suits.
“They did not want to bring it back to a gate, just because of the strong odor,” spokesman Rich Johnson told Reuters. “They’re not sure what it is, so as a precaution they are taking it out to a ramp area.”
Posted Apr 28 2011 1:33PM
Costa Rica to United States
Angela,
As you can see, Luna and Theodore arrived in great shape. 24 hours after Jeni dropped them off, they were back to their normal selves.
I must say that I am very pleased by the way how you and your team handled my babies move, from the moment you gave me a tentative date for their flight to the moment Jeni delivered them, safe and sound.
It was reassuring to know that you were there to answer my questions and once the move started with their pick up the night before the flight, it was obvious that they were in the hands of professionals. To a person as picky as I am, little details like the labeling of the kennels, tell a lot about the people you are dealing with (needless to say their kennels were spotless!).
Above all, I want to say that what impressed me the most and what I am more thankful for, was the level of hydration and overall condition in which my two little ones arrived to Arizona. Anyone who has cats knows that keeping them reasonably hydrated is quite a challenge mostly under stressful conditions (like the plane ride) and my two babies made it in great shape!
Please thank Andrea, Jeni and everybody else involved in their move to Arizona. I really appreciate all they did to keep them as safe and comfortable as possible.
Thanks a lot for helping me bring the babies to their new home.
Patricia Castro
Maggie from New York to Abu Dhabi
!! Our Maggie is Home !!
!! Thank You, Thank You So Very Much !!
Angela, to your staff and everyone at the American Veterinary Clinic, we cannot thank you all enough!! We are so very happy…I guess you can tell !! Maggie has arrived to us a bit after midnight! She looks so beautiful !! I think even the handler loved her too! Of course, she has some adjusting to do, but it felt so good to hug her and kiss her again!!
It’s hard to imagine that she’s traveled so far. This is our first pet that we had travel so far away. Maggie has only traveled with us by car to Delaware (!). I’m so proud of her!!
If you want to post this e-message to your website do feel free and I’ll be happy to fill out a survey and surely recommend your service to others as I already have.
God Bless All of You for Such Tender Care to our Lovable Ones,
Most Sincerely, Robert, Angelle & Maggie Mae!
SNOW AND ICE STORM TO IMPACT HOUSTON
United Cargo is advising customers that a major interruption to Houston’s Intercontinental Airport will move into the area on Thursday, February 3rd. Forecasters are predicting ice and snow (1”-2”) beginning by 1500 CST on Thursday, February 3 and lasting through mid day on Friday, February 4. Legacy Continental and legacy United have implemented a heavy reduction to our schedule of flights to or from Houston (IAH) between 1500 CST Thursday, February 3 through 1500 CST Friday, February 4. We will operate the widebody flights currently served by our Boeing 767 and 777 aircraft. Road conditions will also be impacted and will likely disrupt our cargo truck traffic to and from the IAH hub. Cargo shipments originating, terminating or transferring through IAH will be delayed and/or rescheduled as flights permit.
Local Houston (IAH) customers will be able to tender and recover their freight as usual at our Continental Cargo warehouse location as long as roads remain passable. United and Continental Airlines Cargo are working to proactively re-accommodate any shipments on cancelled flights and doing everything possible to minimize the impact of this weather event on our customers. Normal operations will resume as quickly as weather, runway and road conditions allow, and freight moving from, to or through the affected airports will be transported as quickly as possible.
For additional information, CO Cargo customers may contact Continental’s Cargo Customer Service Center at 1-800-421-2456 or +1 832-235-1539 24hours per day, 7 days per week.
Major Snowstorm Impacts Midwest and East Coast Operations
United Cargo is advising our customers that a massive winter storm struck the U.S. Midwest and East Coast Tuesday. Heavy snow, high winds and ice storms will continue in many locations early Wednesday. Legacy Continental and legacy United proactively canceled numerous flights scheduled to depart and arrive the affected airports, and road conditions are impacting cargo truck traffic. Cargo shipments originating, terminating or transferring through these locations are delayed.
Costa Rica to South Carolina
Bella made her way from San Jose to South Carolina today. She was adopted by Ashley Caldwell from the streets of Jaco. When Ashley was in Costa Rica on vacation, Ashley fell in love with Bella and felt she couldn’t leave her behind, so she decided to give her a home with her family in South Carolina.
Ashley contacted McKee Jaco Rescue group who gave her our number and we coordinated with her all of the travel arrangements for Bella to get her to her new home in the States. Bella is one lucky little girl!
Costa Rica to Whistler Canada
Kate’s 2 dogs and 2 cats just made the voyage from Tamarindo “Zanadu” to Whistler Canada via Continental Airlines and a couple of vans. It was a long trek but they made it safe and sound.
Magdiel picked up Jasmine and the rest of the crew on Monday morning so that we could get them into the Central Valley and get them prepared for their flight out on Tuesday. Crates needed to be labeled and made ready with cups, bedding and tags for the kennel doors.
Once they made it into Alajuela, Andrea checks paperwork and gets everything ready for them to go as described above, then settles them in for the night. Following morning after potty breaks we take them to the airport for check in to the airlines.
Flying into Houston is a short flight. Houston has about a 3 hour layover where the animals have time to decompress for a little while before boarding their next flight. Once they get to Vancouver they have to clear customs. After clearing customs the babies are put on a transit vehicle and driven to Whistler to meet up with Kate again. The reunion is sweet!
New York to Abu Dhabi
Dear Angela,Terry and the entire export team !
I would like to that you for everything you all did to deliver Stryker to Abu Dhabi from New York. Even though it was a long journey for him, when he was dropped off at my villa last night, he was the same ole Stryker. A day later and he’s doing great exploring his new home and resting.
I will definitely recommend your services to anybody that I know who is making a move. We’re also looking forward to working with your clinic for all of Stryker’s needs.
Thanks again,
Carl Giardino
Kiara traveled from Mexico to Costa Rica
Kiara traveled from Mexico to Costa Rica on Friday to be reunited with her family Sadalgo. She was held up in customs when the computers went down for longer than we would have liked but Andrea spent the day with her walking her every couple of hours and seeing that she had food and water. She was kept comfortable during her stay at Juan Santa Maria terminal warehouse while she was forced to wait for the computers to come back on.
Unfortunately with the computers down Costa Rica customs cannot do anything so we must wait for the system to come back up. This can take anywhere from a couple of hours to 24. Fortunately most times it is usually back up within the same day and pets don’t have to spend the night in the customs warehouse.
Kiara finally made it to her family around 7:00 pm on Friday night. They were very happy to see her as you can see from the family portrait we were fortunate enough to get. Another happy family reunion!
Tica system down
Words you don’t want to hear when there are pets coming into Costa Rica. When World Pet Travel or anyone else has pets coming into Costa Rica you do NOT want to hear are “Tica system is down”. What this means is that your pets are not going anywhere. They cannot clear customs when the system is down. It cannot be done manually or the old fashioned way like it used to be done. It MUST be done with the TICA system and if the system is down it does not get done.
Pets will sit in the customs warehouse all day when they arrive at 8:00 or 9:00 in the morning because the system is down waiting for the system to come up again. There have even been cases where the animals have had to stay overnight in the customs warehouse until the following morning because the system did not come up the same day that the animals came in.
Makes the old slow way of doing things seem so much better at times. AT least then you didn’t have to worry about computers going down and everything coming to a screeching halt.
