Dogs as SLF

[Kazabella]

Serious question here: We are relocating to Doha, flying out from Toulouse (either via Paris or Rome) and HOPING to take our 2 dogs with us:rolleyes: . Any out there who can give us tips/advice on travelling with our canines. We have 2 IATA approved cages (seems the dogs get more room than us mere humans!) and are getting the paperwork together. Any help, however small appreciated. :)

[Keygrip]

Wife and I travelled with our four legged family members to Florida eight years ago. We did, however, for the sake of the animals, travel at different times - so she waved goodbye to them at Manchester and I said Hello at Orlando.

We deliberately engaged the services of an animal transportation company who came to the house in their van, collected all our critters, took them back to the airport, fed them, watered them, ensured their crates were all in tip top condition and had plenty of food and water.

The took doggy for a long walk before putting him back in the box.

They then personally drove the animals to the freight agency, ensured the animals were all loaded onto one pallet, all in a semi-circle so they could see each other through the bars of their own cages, and supervised the loading of the pallet as the last one to go into the 767. Ensured the crew set the heat and left the light on. Then sent us confirmation that the flight departed and gave me an accurate ETA for its arrival.

They had also done all the paperwork for both sides of the Atlantic and bought the airline "tickets". When the aircraft arrived in the USA I was escorted (in my own van), by their agent, onto the ramp and parked by the bagge hold doors on the aircraft. When the cages came out they were lifted staright into the van and I drove home. Job done. Happy hound (back with his dad).

Worth every penny to have them shipped by an expert company.

One thing they did say - "If you give the animals ANY form of tranquilisers or travel pills we WILL NOT ship them".

The animals endured the flight without a complaint - very well looked after.

[Desert Diner]

Brought my German Shepherd to Saudi with almost no problem

Some suggestions:

No tranquilizers as bad things can happen to them at high altitude during the flight.

Make sure you have all the paperwork in order and you have plenty of nice stamps from the Qatari embassy. Customs on this side will be more interested in the stamps then in the animals themselves.

Don't feed them for a few days, but make sure they have plenty of water.

If possible, fly with KLM as they seem to be the most animal friendly airline I know. Not sure about AF or AZ :ooh: . Toulouse eh? :\

At least in Saudi, the cage was brought into the bagage retrieval area, so that I could clear the dog as well as my bags before leaving. Make sure that you will pick up your dogs that way. More than likely but good to ask.

Other than that good luck