Has anybody flown their dog before?

[chocolatecoffee]

Hey!

I've found a little bichon/shih tzu that I'm interested in adopting, but there's a bit of a problem! She's in Idaho and I'm up in Calgary, Alberta. The foster mom recommended Delta Pets First, but I can't find any information about shipping to Canada on their website! Has anybody had any experience in flying a pet and, if so, who did you fly it with? Thanks!

Daniela

[BMDLuver]

Look for a kennel in your area that is a member of the following IPATA:
Independent Pet and Animal Transportation Association International. They will be able to help you with all the necessary arrangements.

[mastifflover]

Also I had a cousin that worked for Air Canada and swore to me that they are the best for transporting animals. All the compartments are temperature controlled and pressurized so you could check with them and find out more.

[tyr]

Hey Chocolatecoffee!

Below are some links from Air Canada. They are a great way to get your new found fur baby to you. They have an excellent reputation for transporting pets.



http://aircanada.custhelp.com/cgi-bi...cGFnZT0x&p_li=

http://www.aircanada.com/en/travelin...gage/pets.html

http://www.aircanada.com/en/customer...ance.html#r0s1

I hope this helps you out!

[chocolatecoffee]

Thanks for the replies!

I haven't looked for a kennel around here that's a member of IPATA, but I'll do that right away! Thank you!

I phoned Air Canada and they were really helpful (didn't keep me on hold for ten hours like some other companies...*grumble*), and they can fly the dog from Idaho Falls to Salt Lake City, but they don't have a flight coming to Calgary from down there. Delta said that they can fly her from Idaho Falls to Toronto or Montreal, but not from Idaho Falls to Calgary because the temperature in the cargo area drops to below 0 degrees so they're not allowed to carry live cargo or something, and I don't think it's fair to the dog to have to go from Idaho Falls to Toronto to Calgary. Hopefully I'll figure something out! I'll definitely check into that IPATA thing, thank you for the suggestion!

Daniela

[tyr]

Have you tried Canjet.ca?

[meimei]

Air Canada - They have an excellent reputation for transporting pets.

I don't know where you get your information from, other than their own employees, but I can tell you that I travel extensively in North America and overseas. When situations permit, I take my dogs with me. One of my dogs has been on a plane at least 15 times.

One of the worst carriers in the world for pets is Air Canada. Period. (Sorry AC)
and the pressurized cabins are only available on "some" planes on "some" flights. If the dog is small enough pay the extra $$$ to have it travel in the cabin and NOT in the cargo hold.

My experience has been that the very, very best is KLM.

I think that the person wanting to use Delta should find out more information - they can't be any worst than AC.

FYI - air travel for pets can be an ugly experience or of course a passable one, but never a good one. Most seasoned pet travellers will tell you that while pets can get used to it, they are usually not too happy about the entire prospect, but a re no worse for the wear. Our last flight was a nightmare (AA) and I vowed to not ever put Merlin on a plane again if I didn't have to. HE stays home now - or - I'll spend the extra and purchase another full ticket and take him on the plane with me.

Other than KLM, the airline industry's cargo pet transport system just isn't up to scratch yet at all.