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mishmumkin
Joined: 01 Sep 2007 Posts: 929
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Posted: Mon May 26, 2008 7:22 pm Post subject: Another pet moving question... |
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Has anyone ever flown their pets to the UAE in August or during the other hot months? I thought all the airlines had temperature limits (around 85oF). Clearly 85oF won't happen in the UAE in August (or September, October, or...).
Also, I wanted to fly my cat via Northwest/KLM (US to Abu Dhabi), however, on international flights they require that the sender be a member of IPATA. In other words, you need to use a pet mover. Using the pet mover more than triples the costs. Can anyone suggest an airline for the US to Abu Dhabi? |
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redcliff
Joined: 23 Nov 2006 Posts: 46
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Posted: Mon May 26, 2008 7:47 pm Post subject: |
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Having to use a pet mover is not true at all.
I used an international shipping company and they sent the cats (2 of them) from Canada to Dubai as "cargo" for 600 US. This included a stop over in europe where the cats where watered, fed and checked.
You don't even need to travel on the same flight. Any international shipping company should know about this. (assuming you are having a pet service pick them up and clearing customs for you at this end). |
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mishmumkin
Joined: 01 Sep 2007 Posts: 929
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Posted: Mon May 26, 2008 7:54 pm Post subject: |
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Redcliff, I thought that much was true, but I chose NW/KLM because they tend to take such good care of the pets in Skiphol during the stopover. Would you mind sharing the name of the shipper you used? I assume you used them for the rest of your belongings, too?
Thanks in advance. |
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mishmumkin
Joined: 01 Sep 2007 Posts: 929
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Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 3:49 am Post subject: |
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Also, what month did you ship your animals over there? I'm worried I won't be able to send my cat in August.  |
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helenl
Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202
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Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 5:22 am Post subject: |
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Have you checked with KLM directly? I've always used KLM (unfortunately I can't speak to summer transfers because I always moved in January) and using a pet mover was not a requirement - they did have to fly "cargo" but that was merely semantics in that they travelled on the same flight but were listed as cargo (I also had to deliver them to the cargo area, not check them in at the passenger check in desk).
Try to check with KLM directly if you haven't already done so - they are great with animals, a vet checks them in Schipol and they get access to food, water and a litter box (and their cages cleaned if need be). |
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mishmumkin
Joined: 01 Sep 2007 Posts: 929
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Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 5:28 am Post subject: |
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Unfortunately, since KLM partners w/ Northwest in the US, I'll never get her out of the US to on Northwest in order to make it to KLM in Skiphol (I've heard wonderful things about pet care in that airport). I spoke w/ someone from Northwest today who said that it is the shared policy of KLM and Northwest that animals leaving the US and traveling internationally via NW/KLM MUST go through an IAPTA member (animal movers). I asked the agent why, but she had no idea. The difference in cost between shipping the animal myself and using a pet mover is about $2500 USD. |
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helenl
Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202
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Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 8:53 am Post subject: |
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Having done a quick perusal of NW's website, i couldn't see where it required IPATA - but I am assuming that you contacted their pet cargo toll free number listed on the website and are getting your info from the horse's mouth (so to speak).
As a possible suggestion - could you contact a breeder of dogs/cats in your area and ask them for advice or perhaps they have some kind of arrangement with the airline? I used a breeder of pomeranians to board and deliver my animals to the airport for me prior to the flight (I had to travel some distance to the airport). Yes, it cost more but not 4x as much.
Regards
Suzanne |
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mishmumkin
Joined: 01 Sep 2007 Posts: 929
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Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 1:19 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks, Helenl. Yes, unfortunately I did talk to the pet cargo team at NW. The site does say tha VIPs (us non-pet movers) can send animals there.
It is a lot more money, so if I can work around that I will. THanks for the suggestions.  |
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redcliff
Joined: 23 Nov 2006 Posts: 46
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Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 4:39 pm Post subject: |
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Mishmumkin
I went back and checked my records for the name of the shipper I used to ship. Unfortunately last month I threw away a lot of paper I didn't think I would need again, but it was an international north american one. I will keep looking to see if I can find an old email.
I think what may be the missing piece of the puzzle is that some shipping companies also have the IAPA designation, you will just need to make some inquires with shipping companies.
The company I used (and again I will keep looking for the name) helped me get all the paper work together. They also were able to price out the best flight for me. We left Toronto on Lufthansa, but they found a KLM flight that was arriving at relatively the same time in Dubai and were able to ship the cats on that plane by cargo through the dutch airport. And if you have a company handling the cat import clearance in Dubai or Abu Dhabi then you don't need to be on the same plane.
I think temperature is a moot point as the cargo is temperature controlled anyway, and once you get to the uae in august everything will be airconditioned. Cats run more risk of being cold than hot.
So if I were you I would do a search for air/sea cargo shippers in your area. Call them and ask if they have the iapa designation. If all else fails call the lufthansa office in toronto and ask them! they can recommend the shipping company I used as they reccomended them to me in the first place. |
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mishmumkin
Joined: 01 Sep 2007 Posts: 929
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Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 4:49 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks, Redcliff. I appreciate it! |
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