US to Europe with cat (Cruiser or Cargo cruise)

[Alkan]

Hello,

 

I have been searching long and wide for options to have my mother move to France from the US while bringing her cat. The idea is to avoid the hellish traumatic experience of airplaine to the furball.

I've encoutered various issues, the main ones being the almost non-existant options due to Covid and the other issue being the handling of the cat.

 

That's why, eventualy I've turning to you guys as experts : Is there any good option to bring my mother and her cat to europe from the US in the following 6 months ?

 

PS : I've already called Cunard but no answer, so I'm waiting for an answer to the email. Apparently their kenels are full up to 2023 for dogs, but not sure about cats since they created a second, separate room from them some time ago.

Also, I can't seem to find if the Cargo Cruise are "all pets forbidden" due to some laws or if it's just the few ones I saw that don't accept it

 

Thanks for your help !

Regards,

Alkan

[zekekelso]

I’ve looked at the whole pet-on-ship thing. The consensus is it’s much more traumatic for the pet than flying. Vastly longer, there’s seasickness to deal with etc.  

 

Millions of pets fly each year. Ideal? No. But it’s a one time thing the pet soon forgets. 

[urbanhawk]

Even though I can be empathetic to the O.P.'s situation, I am an animal/pet lover, and sometimes we  have to put our beloved pet's interest/welfare 1st. As difficult as it is, perhaps putting the cat up for adoption could be one option, and getting a new cat in France. I don't mean to sound snarky.;- just looking out for the cat's best interest.

[cruisemom42]

I can't help much with cruise options. However, I do know that some airlines will allow a small pet in an approved carrier to travel in the cabin, as long as the carrier fits under the seat. Some airlines do not allow it on flights of more than 8 hours, but perhaps your mother could take it in stages -- let's say a short hop from wherever she lives to the NE coast (NY area), then an overseas flight from JFK to CDG. Or for a shorter flight, JFK to LHR and then take a train to France.

 

This is based on pre-COVID travel of course. And I believe you have to get the airline permission in advance as I think they only allow so many animals in cabin on a given flight.

 

Just throwing ideas out there. It would likely be less traumatic to your cat in cabin with the reassuring presence of your mother. A sedative is also worth looking into (for the cat, not your mother...)

 

[hallasm]

Most cruise lines do not allow pets on cruises, with the exception of Cunard

https://www.cunard.com/en-gb/inspiration/life-on-board/pets-on-board.

 

Personally, however, I am convinced that the cat will prefer 6 to 8 hours in a plane (if possible) than 6 to 8 days at sea.

[jocap]

There are regulations for taking pets into European countries, including rabies inoculations if from a country where that exists.

Friends have used specialist carriers to move animals by air, which included all checks and inoculations, plus kennelling before and after. Whilst expensive, it means the pet is looked after and passes immigration at the other end.

I understand that this will take a few days, but will probably be less time than a Cunard crossing.

[rkacruiser]

2 hours ago, hallasm said:

Most cruise lines do not allow pets on cruises, with the exception of Cunard

 

Cunard?  Yes.  However, I am pretty certain that I have seen litter type boxes for dogs on a few ships.  They would be in a secluded area of a covered, but open deck.  

[chengkp75]

8 minutes ago, rkacruiser said:

 

Cunard?  Yes.  However, I am pretty certain that I have seen litter type boxes for dogs on a few ships.  They would be in a secluded area of a covered, but open deck.  

Those are for service animals, not pets.

[chengkp75]

To the OP, as far as freighter cruising, I'm pretty sure no cargo line wants the hassle of having an animal onboard, clearing customs and immigration at each port.  Freighter cruising is "bare bones", and the passengers are almost an afterthought to the company, so handling an animal is not even on their radar.

[hallasm]

1 hour ago, chengkp75 said:

Those are for service animals, not pets.

Cunard offers kennel services for cats and dogs on Transatlantic Crossings on board Queen Mary 2, departing from Southampton, Hamburg and New York.

Edited August 9, 2021 by hallasm

[chengkp75]

21 minutes ago, hallasm said:

Cunard offers kennel services for cats and dogs on Transatlantic Crossings on board Queen Mary 2, departing from Southampton, Hamburg and New York.

Yes, but the poster was speaking of other lines than Cunard.

[hallasm]

9 hours ago, chengkp75 said:

Yes, but the poster was speaking of other lines than Cunard.

The poster was specifically saying “PS : I've already called Cunard but no answer”

[sanger727]

Has your mom discussed options with her vet? A coworkers dog is very scared of fireworks so he gives him a benadryl on the 4th of July so the dog sleeps through them. If there is a cat safe sedative, them sleeping through the flight would be far easier on it than being locked in a kennel for several days.

[2wheelin]

5 hours ago, hallasm said:

The poster was specifically saying “PS : I've already called Cunard but no answer”

That was the OP, not the poster Cheng responded to. The discussion was expanded to “other ships”.

[rkacruiser]

On 8/9/2021 at 4:23 PM, chengkp75 said:

Those are for service animals, not pets.

 

Did not know that and had not thought of that possibility.  Thank you.

 

7 hours ago, 2wheelin said:

That was the OP, not the poster Cheng responded to. The discussion was expanded to “other ships”.

 

You are correct.  Thanks for your post.  

[sailing canary]

The main issue is the cat isn't a temporary visitor, you are in fact importing an animal to France. As such there are various regulations you need to comply with. Your best bet is to contact a reputable pet relocation service which will give you all the advice and information you need.

I know of someone who brought their dog from Chicago to France and she travelled (the dog that is!) in a special crate, but in the cabin, not as cargo. So it is possible.

[jocap]

17 hours ago, sailing canary said:

The main issue is the cat isn't a temporary visitor, you are in fact importing an animal to France. As such there are various regulations you need to comply with. Your best bet is to contact a reputable pet relocation service which will give you all the advice and information you need.

I know of someone who brought their dog from Chicago to France and she travelled (the dog that is!) in a special crate, but in the cabin, not as cargo. So it is possible.

Friends brought a pet from Australia to the UK, and another friend brought one from an African country... in both cases they said that the paper work involved was enormous, and they couldn't have managed without specialist help. 

[cruisemom42]

18 hours ago, sailing canary said:

The main issue is the cat isn't a temporary visitor, you are in fact importing an animal to France. As such there are various regulations you need to comply with. Your best bet is to contact a reputable pet relocation service which will give you all the advice and information you need.

I know of someone who brought their dog from Chicago to France and she travelled (the dog that is!) in a special crate, but in the cabin, not as cargo. So it is possible.

 

37 minutes ago, jocap said:

Friends brought a pet from Australia to the UK, and another friend brought one from an African country... in both cases they said that the paper work involved was enormous, and they couldn't have managed without specialist help. 

 

I think in recent years it has become easier to move pets from one country to another. Some countries (like the UK) are more rigorous. But other countries have worked to standardize and streamline the requirements for bringing a dog or cat into another country. As long as you have your vet fill out the paperwork and your pet has the correct vaccinations, there is usually not a lengthy quarantine period. A little online research should help with that. I don't think you need a specialist.

[RSLeesburg]

There are many companies who focus purely on transporting pets to international locations.  I would contact one of those as they can help with the paperwork, and have the most experience in doing these kinds of relocations.  

[sailing canary]

 

This might be useful reading.

 

 

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel/by-country/eu/pettravel-france

[ldubs]

One of our relatives moved their household, including pet dog, from California back to the Philippines.  I don't recall specific details but remember them talking about all the hoops they had the jump through and the cost.    That was maybe 10 years ago.  

 

Alkan, sorry I can't help with your questions.  I hope you will come back and share how this all worked out for you guys.