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homeless vet · Joined: 01 Apr 2009 Posts: 80

We're finishing up the pile of paperwork to export/import our dog from the US East Coast to the UAE (I doubt we'd go to that much trouble to take one of our children there if they were under 18 and eligible!) I was wondering if anyone here had any recommendations/avoid experiences regarding specific airlines shipping their pets. It appears that all of the airlines will only book pets as cargo 2 weeks out, so we have a few weeks before we have to make a decision on this, but I figured I'd ask the experienced ones here about it to make sure we got the best airline at the best price. Since the hubby will be in Al Ain, she can fly into either Abu Dhabi or Dubai.

Lufthansa looks good to me because they have a flight from CLT to Frankfurt, then she's stay at their "Pet Hotel" for half a day, then do a flight to the UAE.

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

Best choice hands down is KLM. They are very good at handling animals and have a "pet hotel" at Schipol Airport in Amsterdam where all animals are checked by a vet, fed, watered, walked and cage cleaned (if needed). Ground staff and the crew on the airplane are also very good about making sure your animal is looked after and confirming that yes, indeed, it has been placed on board.

Make sure you have your import certificate from the UAE department of Agriculture (the HR dept at your employer should be able to assist you with that) as you cannot import your pet without one. KLM will not load the animal unless you can show them a copy of that certificate plus originals of the USDA vet health certs.

On arrival in UAE you will probably have to go to the cargo terminal to collect your pet where it will again be inspected by a UAE vet before being released. Animals are kept in an AC, quiet room (in their travel kennels) once removed from the aircraft.

Lufthansa is Ok but they don't offer the pet hotel service as does KLM. (so far as I know)

anaxiforminges · Joined: 15 Apr 2009 Posts: 136 Location: UAE

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

Another point to keep in mind is to check if the airline will accept the animal at this time of year. Many will not transport animals during the high heat of the summer. (I only travelled in winter months so it wasnt an issue).

To be honest, I was always more concerned with the welfare of my pet rather than the price, so when I researched and found KLM being so good (and I have travelled 3x from North America and back again with my pets) that I didn't look any further. Last time I did it they came as excess baggage as opposed to "cargo" a moot point because they still travel in the hold. And it cost USD150 per leg of the trip x 3 = $450 for the whole trip (not including vet exams and certs) Last time I came to UAE it was AED200 for the UAE certificate. Check also with the airline DIRECTLY as to what exactly they need in terms of paperwork (originals vs copies etc) in order to board the animal - it will save a lot of headache and aggravation.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Why Pugs and Himalayans? Their possible breathing problems?

VS

homeless vet · Joined: 01 Apr 2009 Posts: 80

Thanks for the advice, everyone. We're working with a vet in the UAE to get the import permit done, as well as our vet at home to get the health certificate done. One of the reasons why I'm not coming until the first week of September is to wait until the temps drop below 85 degrees reliably in the US and Europe so Punkin can fly - there is an international reg about temperature in the cargo hold. I sort of also want to make sure the housing is good before I put the dog through the air travel trauma. She's 12 years old, so in all likelihood, she won't live long enough to be "repatriated" at the end of the contract. She's very special to us, though, so despite the exhorbitant cost (more than our tickets) we're going to take her with us.

anaxiforminges · Joined: 15 Apr 2009 Posts: 136 Location: UAE

Green Acres · Joined: 06 May 2009 Posts: 260

Is there any quarantine? Have you looked into that?

homeless vet · Joined: 01 Apr 2009 Posts: 80

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

homeless vet · Joined: 01 Apr 2009 Posts: 80

Landing late night/middle of night. Should be no problem. If it is, I won't be going to the UAE until the dog can go.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Ah... you mean when the temps are getting all the way down to maybe 90?

I just checked their weather forecast and the lowest low temp for the next week is 87... It won't be any cooler in a month. Just sayin...

Since it would only affect about the last couple hours of the flight, it is probably OK... if you are using KLM, they should know what they are doing.

VS

Splitting Hairs · Joined: 20 Sep 2007 Posts: 99

Dont be cruel to the dog and leave it with friend/family in US. It is a very hot country and would you like to be caged in the hold for so many hours.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Well... it really isn't that much worse than being caged in cattle class above with a crowd of coughing, snoring, humans... many of them with screaming children. I've often thought that it might be preferable to be down in the hold... tranquilized... and wheeled to my destination. Laughing

Since this is an older dog, with a little valium, it will likely sleep the trip away, and won't mind so much being mostly an indoor dog in the UAE. Lots of people come with dogs and cats every year.

I have yet to hear of anyone who had any major problems.

VS

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

The hold is climate controlled, has to be because at altitude (if you check the inflight information) the outside temperature gets well below zero.

Once on the ground, KLM IMHO, would/does everything it can to ensure the animal is transferred to the AC holding area ASAP. Check with them and make a written request - probably overkill, but hey! That's your baby Very Happy