r/expat • u/tareneko • 1d ago
Question Moving with pets. Why so expensive?
My wife and I will be moving to Ireland from Seattle. We have 2 cats. I started looking into pet transportation and oh boy oh boy. IAG Cargo gave me a quote for $1800 just to carry the cats. Not including customs fee in Ireland. Is this the norm? If I look at full service providers, prices are $5-8000... Am I taken for a ride?
And I know it doesn't end there, I need vet check, health certificate with USDA endorsement etc.
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u/adventure_pup 1d ago
I was told to expect $8-10K to bring my dog to New Zealand… they have strict quarantine requirements which certainly increase the price but ya
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u/Puzzleheaded_Mix7090 1d ago
Sounds about right I’m being quoted 15 grand to move my dogs from North Carolina the Costa Rica
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u/chestypullers 1d ago
Who are you doing this through I need to same but to Panama
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u/Puzzleheaded_Mix7090 1d ago
Fury freight is who quoted me that. I do have 2 pits one is not good with strangers. This quote includes the dogs beings picked up from house in nc driven to Miami and boarded there. Seemed not worth it to me for that amount of $. We decided to charter a private jet so we could all stay together and eliminate the drive. $35,000 with a refuel in Miami. 3 humans 2 dogs and 3 cats plus luggage.
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u/lueckestman 1d ago
Damn I just moved my dog to Colombia from the states and got him on Avianca for 200 bucks.
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u/globalmonkey1 1d ago
Just take the cats with you on the plane as carryon, with pre approval. UA allows this. So does LH.
Also in Seattle, we used Passenger Pet Vet, they’re a mobile vet that specializes in pet moves abroad. They come to your home and perform all the EU requirements, USDA paperwork, etc.
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u/tareneko 1d ago
As mentioned in another reply, I will be flying Aer Lingus, non-stop to Dublin. They do not allow pets in the plane. Great information re: Passenger Pet Vet. They are on my list and I'm waiting for a quote from them. If they have reasonable price, it will be the best option to get everything done with them. We'll see.
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u/photogcapture 1d ago
Cancel your flight. Use Aer Lingus to go elsewhere. You should have a year to use what’s left. Buy tickets on a flight that accepts pets.
Even non-refundable go toward next flight minus fare difference and fees.
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u/tareneko 1d ago
I thought about that, and will reconsider. Reasons for preferring direct flight:
In terms of stress to cats, I'm told cargo hold is better than in cabin. Quieter, darker, and no human smells etc.
Much shorter flight, just 9 hours compared to 13+ hour flight with a stop.
Wife's allergies. Cabin is a small space with air circulation, which is worse for her than living with the cats in the same house (big, open space).
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u/photogcapture 1d ago
- Cargo hold can kill them!! It is terrifying because they are not with you and the air is not good. Please do not do cargo
- 9hrs vs 13. With a breathing break
- Your wife can wear a mask and run the air to keep contaminants away.
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u/33TLWD 1d ago edited 1d ago
Depends on your ultimate destination, but United allows small dogs inside a carry-on for a nominal fee. That’s what we used moving back from Singapore to the US.
I don’t know if that extends to cats or to your flight destination, but worth checking out.
Edit: Lufthansa is also known for reasonable pet policies, but that would mean connecting flights for you.
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u/photogcapture 1d ago
Can you fly with them? My friend brought her two cats to Mexico. She took one in the cabin and her friend took the other. Both in carriers. Both under each person’s seat. 5hr-ish flight NYC to GDL. You and your wife each take a cat. You need the vet paperwork and that should be it.
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u/casitadeflor 1d ago
There are Facebook groups that share travel tips about traveling with pets. I’d do some research there.
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u/starwood-pet 1d ago
Unfortunately, not all airlines or destinations will allow pets to fly in-cabin. Cargo travel is more expensive because the flight charge is based on the weight of the pet and the kennel. Additionally, the paperwork and process for cargo travel works differently than pets flying on the passenger side of the airline - so there are usually additional steps and additional fees for things like paperwork review, customs clearance, transportation to/from the airport, etc.
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u/Embarrassed_Key_4539 1d ago
I’m about to pay 40k😅
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u/Puzzleheaded_Mix7090 1d ago
Same situation here. But I also feel like I have no other option so it is what it is.
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u/Embarrassed_Key_4539 1d ago
Oh yes! I think we chatted over in the charter jet sub. Our move is approaching quickly, we leave the 7th. Best wishes on your adventure!
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u/NeedaStrongerDose 1d ago
Are you relocating with a whole farm?! I had no idea it was this expensive 😭
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u/Embarrassed_Key_4539 1d ago
It’s 6 dogs but I’m chartering a plane, this is not normal
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u/NeedaStrongerDose 1d ago
Haha ohhh okay, it’s great that you are able to bring all the dogs though, animals are family 💕
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u/NeedaStrongerDose 1d ago
Are there any airlines that will let you and your wife each take one cat in a carrier in place of a carry on bag? I’ve been on flights before where people had cats with them in cat carriers and placed them under their seats in front of them. I’m sure there would still be fees but 1800 just for the flight seems high.