Experience with shipping dogs and cats cross country???

[eosinophil]

We are in the final stages of planning our move from the midwest to the west coast which will happen in about a month.

We have four dogs and four cats that need to make the move. Flying sounds scary so I am looking into various shipping companies that drive them from one place to the other. My main concern is of course their safety and making sure the trip is as low stress to them as possible.

Has anyone had personal experience with these companies? I’ve got a quote from Royal Paws. Has anyone here heard of them good or bad? Other options? Opinions? Suggestions? Questions I should ask? Folks to avoid?

Thanks! I really appreciate any insight that can be provided.

[PoeKnee]

There is a company we have used, it is a 3rd party company that will have a person waiting at the airport for all departures, connecting flights and arrivals to personally walk your dog, ensure they have fresh water and food, check on their general well-being, etc. I will have to look up the name tonight and post tomorrow, but they are absolutely worth the money!

[eosinophil]

Thanks for the info, PoeKnee.

I have heard horror stories about bad outcomes with flying which had prompted me to think about having them all driven out. Did your pets tolerate the flights okay? Any bad experiences? I wish I could just drive them myself, but there are too many of them and it’s too long a drive to really consider doing myself.

[eosinophil]

Of course, the other option is I could let them drive themselves. I’d prefer they took the Subaru wagon because there’s a good amount of room in it, but it’s a stick shift. I think one dog could handle the gas/brake and steer, but adding in the extra clutch pedal, i’m not sure. Maybe one of the smaller ones could sit in the driver’s foot area and just work pedals? That might be a good job for a cat, really. But cats tend to not follow instructions and I worry they’d just curl up and go to sleep. The smaller dog is pretty trainable so he might be the best choice to work the clutch.

Otherwise, they could all go in the F250, but I think they’d be too tempted by that big open bed in the back and all ride back there to catch the wind and try to get the cats to drive. If the cats are in charge who knows where they’ll end up! Ever try to get a cat to follow a map?

Just trying to add some drama to get some more attention! Anyone have any experience shipping their pets?

[eosinophil]

Bumping one final time. Anyone with suggestions? Or anyone who could suggest other dog/cat based sites that might have folks with info? Thanks!

[Polydor]

I think there was a thread recently that had transportation suggestions … let me see if i can find it.

P.

[Polydor]

Managed to find it. It has a few options for both flying and driving I think ( i didn’t re read it but believe that was what it was about).

http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?484295-Tell-me-about-traveling-with-dogs-too-big-to-fly-(pet-transport-companies-)

P.

[PoeKnee]

Darn, I’m sorry I forgot to get the name of the company. I feel like it is Pet Safe, or Safe Pet. All of our dogs have tolerated flying extremely well.

If your dogs are good drivers, I’d probably put them in the Subaru instead of the Ford. I’ve seen the Goldens in the Subaru commercials, and they look like they’d be very safe for conscientious doggie drivers.

[TrotTrotPumpkn]

I flew a dog Delta Dash. Made sure I had a direct flight (which meant driving 4 hours one way). Positive experience.

For that many animals it is probably cheapest if you could be to drive them (rent a van?). I am a big fan of only driving with dogs/cats in strapped down crates. If you get in an accident you have animal projectiles and then if they survive they get loose on the freeway. Not good. Are you driving both those vehicles to your new place? Can’t you just crate them and bring some in each vehicle? [Assuming they can’t get their own driving licenses]

[keepthelegend]

[QUOTE=TrotTrotPumpkn;8555044]
I flew a dog Delta Dash. Made sure I had a direct flight (which meant driving 4 hours one way). Positive experience.

For that many animals it is probably cheapest if you could be to drive them (rent a van?). I am a big fan of only driving with dogs/cats in strapped down crates. If you get in an accident you have animal projectiles and then if they survive they get loose on the freeway. Not good. Are you driving both those vehicles to your new place? Can’t you just crate them and bring some in each vehicle? [Assuming they can’t get their own driving licenses][/QUOTE]

I also did Delta Dash twice with good results.