Bringing a dog overseas ... - Thorn Tree travel forum

Bringing a dog overseas

Replies: 17 - Last Post: 16-Dec-2009 08:14 Last Post By: vasenka

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Posted
28-Oct-2009 02:39
by: kberry

Posts: 32
Registered: 29/02/08

Bringing a dog overseas

Hello,
I'm planning on moving to Nepal for the next two years and am having a hard time deciding whether or not to bring my dog. She's a big dog (about 75 lbs) and older (11) and I'm not sure if the trip would be too hard on her. Has anyone moved overseas with a dog before? How does it work? Any advice on good/bad airlines for pets?

I'm considering taking a few extra days to get to Nepal (from the States) so that I have longer layovers and she doesn't have to endure such long flights.

Any info/past experience greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Posted
28-Oct-2009 09:17
by: gawkabout

Posts: 4,729
Registered: 01/09/01

1

Mmmmmm. Yeti love doggie!

Posted
28-Oct-2009 22:24
by: everbrite

Posts: 15,747
Registered: 19/06/01

2

I would suggest taking a look at the talesmag.com website as it is written primarily for diplomatic expats and usually has information about importing pets.

I would also suggest using google.com or your preferred search engine as there are websites that specialize in moving animals overseas.

Some airlines will not accept animals in cargo during certain seasons of the year and your dog is too large to be permitted in the cabin.

Ruth

First check: Everbrite's travel pages, the New RU sticky,and New RU train sticky

Since I have taken the time to answer your question, it would be nice if you took the time to respond as to whether the information was helpful.

Posted
29-Oct-2009 03:19
by: picadura

Posts: 85
Registered: 05/03/06

3

have you taken the time to respond to the helpful information about using google

cada cosa cae por su propio peso

Posted
29-Oct-2009 17:03
by: kberry

Posts: 32
Registered: 29/02/08

4

Thanks for the tip re talesmag.com. I was unfamiliar with that website. Also, google and airlines research has revealed that it will likely cost an extra 825 USD (Delta), that the cabins are heated and pressurized, that there are dedicated personnel (but unlikely that the passenger will get to see the dog on layovers). Oh, and you need a health certificate. Luckily Nepal has no quarantine rules.

I was really just hoping someone would say they'd taken a large dog half way round the world in the past without problems. Or alternatively, offer a cautionary tale. Just nervous about it I guess.

Posted
29-Oct-2009 17:42
by: sheepgirl

Posts: 183
Registered: 04/03/05

5

you may want to check also if you will be able to bring the dog back (or wherever you move onto after two years) and make sure all the vaccinations are up to date especially rabies.
I know lots of people who have moved dogs from the US to New Zealand but don't know anyone who had moved one to Asia.

order is for idiots - genius can handle chaos

Posted
29-Oct-2009 18:19
by: sneaker_fish

Posts: 18,966
Registered: 30/12/01

6

Good point about moving her back and which country you intend to go back to. If she is alive in 2 years then moving a 13 year old dog makes her just that little bit older as well.

Wahoo! I found out how to put in a signature! Sharp as a marble.

Posted
31-Oct-2009 13:07
by: westwood

Posts: 9,848
Registered: 21/10/02

7

#3, from my reckoning of the times posted, OP got back in a realistic time frame, unlike you expected them to.

Repatriating from some countries is certainly easier than others. Asian countries may come under the more difficult because of rabies in those countries.

"The trouble with being in the rat race is that even if you win, you're still a rat."

Posted
01-Nov-2009 19:58
by: kberry

Posts: 32
Registered: 29/02/08

8

thanks westwood for defending me.

this is certainly a tough decision and while she's in good health now and would probably make the trip over okay, i think it may be better in the long run to leave her with friends in the States for the two years. it'll be like leaving a family member behind though!

thanks all for the advice.

Posted
02-Nov-2009 00:13
by: everbrite

Posts: 15,747
Registered: 19/06/01

9

OP - for future reference ignore picadura who often seems to follow up my posts on this branch with unnecessary comments many of which have been deleted in the past by the moderators.

Ruth

Posted
02-Nov-2009 15:41
by: majortraveller

Posts: 1,619
Registered: 13/07/07

10

We flew our dog back from Spain to Canada. We found out which airlines will fly a dog and the requirements are for the cage. We went to the vet to get the shots that our dog needed.With the cage and the costs for flying the dog over it was approx 400 euros. My partner had a lay over in Frankfurt with our dog and he managed it alone. We have a very well behaved dog and if you do too there should be no problem. You can also give your dog a sleeping pill too (the vet can advise you) and we had some just in case. But, Sheba (our dog) was fine without it.

I'm so glad I brought my dog and if you feel like your dog is your family member then I suggest taking her along.

I'm an IT expert and work doing contracts, this allows me to earn the money I need to travel and gives me alot of free time to do so. I travel cheap, I guess that would be my signature, I do it as cheap as possible.

Posted
02-Nov-2009 19:26
by: jiejie

Posts: 1,143
Registered: 30/06/02

11

The logistics of moving the animal are only the start of the issues. An 11 year old dog is a senior citizen, especially if a large enough breed to weigh 75 pounds. This will be a very hard trip, and a very hard transition for any animal, let alone an elderly one. And I think you will find that the health risks to dogs in Nepal (as for humans) increases compared to the USA, that decent clean water and food must be sourced, also that appropriate veterinary care in Nepal will be tough to find, certainly not up to US standards. It is possible that if you take the animal, it may die in Nepal of old age or other causes; it is also possible that if you leave the dog behind, it will pine and pine for you. However, my suggestion is that you leave the dog in the US with friends or family, after first making sure the dog has a lot of face-time and is very comfortable with his "foster family". Frankly, this is not a great choice to have to make, but you need to be clear on whether your priority is the dog's welfare or yours.

Posted
06-Nov-2009 09:36
by: Bisbee

Posts: 1,774
Registered: 07/10/03

12

I had the choice of moving my 75lb Lab with me to Asia. I decided against it and left her with my family. It was very hard to say goodbye, but I think the decision was in the best interest of my dog. I would have been gone everyday for 8-9 hours with nobody there to take of the dog. That and they eat dogs where I was going and there are many instances of dogs going missing. Instead she got to hang out with 2 other dogs in the USA and had a swimming pool at her disposal.

Life's what you make it!

Posted
06-Nov-2009 13:51
by: westwood

Posts: 9,848
Registered: 21/10/02

13

#10, big difference between Spain and Nepal!! Not only for people but for animals as well.

"The trouble with being in the rat race is that even if you win, you're still a rat."

Posted
07-Nov-2009 10:43
by: i_luv_z

Posts: 90
Registered: 19/07/09

14

i thought very hard about taking my dog overseas with me, im going for 2 years and can hardly bear to think abounot having him. but being from australia our quarentine laws are very strick, and the countries im going to are a bit 'rough' so while tking him over there wouldnt be much of a problem , bringing him back into the country would be the horrible part, it would included a stay in quarentine of up to 3 months and i just couldnt do it to the little guy . So ive found a family memeber whos willing to take care of him and give him lots of love while im gone.
as much as your going to miss your dog, maybe the best thing to do would be to find someone to love him while your gone....

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