traveling by air overseas

[eliza]

Hello, everybody.
I hope you can give me advice on traveling by air. I do not want to leave my dobe behind, but I am so scared! I am doing the necessary tests, and documents. Now I am told I have to wait 3 months before boarding (?) which is not feasible. I might have to go with quarantine...
But futher issues are: no direct flight (unless I go to N.Y. or Toronto), and crate dimensions/hardware (cannot be plastic) , Delta tells me it has to be a "certified crate", but no store around here knows anything about it.
Mercuzio is a blue dobe 6 1/2, 66lbs, he was never crated (he sleeps with me).
Is anybody out there who can help? Any advice? THANK YOU!

[DLS]

Can you go to the airport and talk with someone in person? So many new rules and regulations in order now. The biggest issue with cargo is the size of crate for your dog, the dog must be able to stand up and turn around with ease. Plus some airlines do not ship during too hot or too cold weather.
i have shipped a few dogs over the years without too many issues. Most dogs accept it. put something with your scent on it in the crate, write your dogs name and all contact info right on the crate.

[eliza]

Thanks, it s being awful trying to figure out what documents are needed. Just found out that the microchip inserted by my vet (who maintained he knew) is not EU complaiant, so now I have to rent/buy a scanner (500$).
you guys out there ask for 15 digits microchips, it is the only one internationally accepted !!!!
Thanks DLS, I love this dog too much, I tell you it is hell....................

[vivienne00]

I shipped 2 dogs here (California) from Australia in 1998. I had 2 custom made crates built from plywood with double meshed doors and a water recepticle. The crates were made by a person recommended by the United cargo people in Australia. I now raise turkeys in them - they are that big. The bitch had no issues - she had been rehomed from a failed show situation. The male had some anxiety and shredded his bedding - paper. He was 8 at the time and had never been crated after 3 mths old. That was about 18 hours in a crate for each of them and then being delivered into the luggage area in SF airport, then going thru Dept of Ag for clearance. We then drove from SF to Portland, OR in one go - just stopping for potty breaks and to get gas. I too was not going to have them transferred between planes.

Good luck - ask the Cargo people for help on where to get the crates. Mine are permanent fixture here now - very sturdy.

[von Cosack Dobermann]

I shipped my dog from Vancouver to Toronto to Orlando Fl last October (canada air). I needed a verikennel 700 nothing smaller would do. If your dog has never used a kennel at home (mine was never kenneled) theres a chance that he'll stress, I'd suggest you get the kennel and train him to use it at home (door opened at first) (sit with him and share food) Theres a variety of remedies to easy his anxiety (rescue remedy etc.). What country are you going to? Von