Flying va to lgw with a dog

Hello all vflyers,

I am going to Orlando in September and will be going to Miami and will be visiting a dog shop where they sell puppies and accessories. I was wondering if I was to purchase a puppy could I possibly bring it home with me as I know va offer the dog service? I am not too sure how it would work? I will be in Florida for 1 month if this can help me?

All comments will be helpful

Thanks

you need to read and understand this page from the VS website.

But VS will not allow you to transport a dog from MIA or MCO between 1st June and 30th September.

you need to read and understand this page from the VS website.

But VS will not allow you to transport a dog from MIA or MCO between 1st June and 30th September.

I was hoping to get a better response from here. I am returning to the uk on October 2nd so will miss the dates

you need to read and understand this page from the VS website.

But VS will not allow you to transport a dog from MIA or MCO between 1st June and 30th September.

I was hoping to get a better response from here. I am returning to the uk on October 2nd so will miss the dates

Use the link Tonty has posted above. It has the full details you need and the link to the DEFRA website to review the entry requirements.

It's not easy and certainly won't be cheap - you will effectively need to have the puppy registered with a vet, get all the vaccinations, microchip and jabs in the US.

Personally, it sounds like a stressful process - both for you and a puppy!

You need to read this: https://www.gov.uk/take-pet-abroad

As I understand it, first the dog will need to be microchipped, then have had a rabies vaccination at least 21 days before travelling. You'll also need a vet's certificate and tapeworm treatment.

Only then can you think about flying it home in the hold on the VS16 (not the VS28), checked in at least 4 hours before the flight. You get 1,000 extra miles though!

So you'd need to choose your dog and take it to the vet for its chip and rabies jab in the first week after you arrive, and then hope all the paperwork goes through in time.

At least that's how I interpret it.

But I'd tend to agree with Luke - sounds very stressful to me, and a lot of hassle. And I can't imagine vets in Florida come cheap. Dare I ask why not just get a dog here?

You need to read this: https://www.gov.uk/take-pet-abroad

As I understand it, first the dog will need to be microchipped, then have had a rabies vaccination at least 21 days before travelling. You'll also need a vet's certificate and tapeworm treatment.

Only then can you think about flying home on the VS16 (not the VS28) with the dog in the hold, checked in at least 4 hours before the flight. You get 1,000 extra miles though!

So you'd need to choose your dog in the first week after you arrive, and then hope all the paperwork goes through in time.

At least that's how I interpret it.

But I'd tend to agree with Luke - sounds very stressful to me, and a lot of hassle. And I can't imagine vets in Florida come cheap. Dare I ask why not just get a dog here?

I have read all different ways of bringing a dog to the uk so it's hard to know which one to follow. I like the ideas of the extra 1000 miles haha.

I think I will make contact with the shop and find out if they can help with the process as maybe they have done this before.

And no it's fine, there's a shop in Fort Lauderdale which do tea cup puppies (French bulldog, chihuahuas, Maltese and Yorkies). I want a French bulldog and my girlfriend wants a chihuahua, so this is why I ask about bringing a dog back home.

I can only hope it's not stressful

Why on earth would you want to do that asides subjecting the poor dog to the stress of travelling.

Sorry, but I'm not one for animals being transported in the hold in carriers when it's not entirely necessary. Think about how the animal will be stressed about the situation

Anyway, only my opinion

I agree MoJoJo.

Fordie - if your heart's set on those particular breeds there must be plenty of places in London that sell them. Or look online - a quick Google search throws up pets4homes.co.uk which has plenty of ads for chihuahuas and French bulldogs.

Unless I was emigrating I'd never make my dog fly - and I've had her 10 years so she knows and trusts me (I hope). For a tiny puppy that doesn't know or trust you yet it must be a terrifying experience.

Without wishing to sound like your mum, have you really thought this through?

I agree with MoJoJo too.

There are many registered breeders in the UK and also plenty of dogs in rescue which need homes.

arent French bulldogs banned from flights?

[
I have read all different ways of bringing a dog to the uk so it's hard to know which one to follow. I like the ideas of the extra 1000 miles haha.

What different ways?

If you are flying VS you follow the VS requirements. If you fly BA then you follow theirs.

However ALL airlines will have to follow the DEFRA rules if they transport animals into the UK. They may have some minor variations like how long before departure you have to deliver the dog to the cargo area but that's about the only difference.

There are no ways around these rules and requirements. However hard you look you won't find any.

If you are serious about importing this dog then you need to start reading and understanding the rules and requirements and the costs now and that includes the costs of the vets, the paperwork, buying a suitable travel container and the flight. This is not something just to think about when you are away.

[
I have read all different ways of bringing a dog to the uk so it's hard to know which one to follow. I like the ideas of the extra 1000 miles haha.

What different ways?

If you are flying VS you follow the VS requirements. If you fly BA then you follow theirs.

However ALL airlines will have to follow the DEFRA rules if they transport animals into the UK. They may have some minor variations like how long before departure you have to deliver the dog to the cargo area but that's about the only difference.

There are no ways around these rules and requirements. However hard you look you won't find any.

If you are serious about importing this dog then you need to start reading and understanding the rules and requirements and the costs now and that includes the costs of the vets, the paperwork, buying a suitable travel container and the flight. This is not something just to think about when you are away.

With you on this one Sir Tonty y) The OP has raised a very serious topic and therefore has asked for serious and accurate answers. This is about an animal's well being aswell as the OP's request.

American Airlines banned brachycephalic breeds of dogs and cats shortly after four bulldogs died on its planes in a three-month period in 2010. Delta stopped accepting French, English and American bulldogs this year, after three bulldogs died from January to March.

United and Continental Airlines, which had two bulldogs die in their care this spring, banned brachycephalic dog breeds from flying during the summer, lifting the restriction on Sept. 16, when temperatures began to drop.

According to the federal Agriculture Department, 189 animals died on commercial flights from June 2005 to June 2011; of those animals, 98 — more than half — were brachycephalic breeds.

arent French bulldogs banned from flights?

Correct Penny.

listed in para 15 in the conditions of carriage

arent French bulldogs banned from flights?

Good spot, yes they are - the VS page linked to above specifically says no snub or pug nose breeds.

Fordie - seriously, forget it.

15.
Virgin regulations on pug or snub nosed dogs and cats:
We hereby reserve the right to refuse the carriage of certain breeds. The following breeds of animals have been identified as pug or snub nosed
and will not be accepted for carriage on Virgin:
Dogs:
All Pugs
Boston Terrier
Brussels Griffin
English Toy Spaniel
Japanese Spaniel (Chin)
Pekingese
English Bulldog
French Bulldog
American Bulldog
Shih Tzu

Hey everyone

I appreciate all comments on my post, I understand there will always be mixed reviews on certain subjects which Will always arise. I have thought about the amount of work involved which I don't mind but I agree to some extent about the plane ride for a dog, but a lot of other dog owners will be doing the same thing by letting there own dogs fly.

It's sad news about not be allowed a French bulldog on the flight

To all posters I am a great dog lover having my own already so this isn't a jump into it idea as I care for my dog very much. I was just considering an option as I know the shop takes great care of the dogs.

Ok dog lover here - we paid a crazy amount to bring our french mastiff here (florida) from England. it was an ordeal for him , he was very dehydrated and distressed when we finally picked him up at Miami (absolute sh1thole and disgrace -i wouldnt let them look after a pet rat)
we also have a Boston terrier (oh and a pit bull) and any snub nose dog would suffer on a plane.
ALSO and its a very emotive point, there are far too many dogs here, shops more often buy from puppy mills and I urge you not to support such obscene money making places by buying a 'designer dog' .Apologies if this is insulting but please think again....try a rescue dog, all 3 of ours are and you will be saving a life not lining someones pockets for a whiom


sorry , off the soap box now but this is a subject very dear to me (and my wifes) heart

There is a reason for the list of dogs they will not accept for carriage and I believe it is due to the rate of the breed that arrive dead as they suffer breathing issues during the flight while stressed etc.

Seriously, why on earth would you want to buy a new pet and then subject it to the horror of a transatlantic flight

Again.. just my opinion

There is a reason for the list of dogs they will not accept for carriage and I believe it is due to the rate of the breed that arrive dead as they suffer breathing issues during the flight while stressed etc.

Seriously, why on earth would you want to buy a new pet and then subject it to the horror of a transatlantic flight

Again.. just my opinion

I can understand alot of your comments and yes i do agree in some ways that it is a long flight for such a small dog. I think if i was to be moving out there it would be different but sadly i'm not and due to the list the bulldog cant come home with me. So i think at this moment in time i will have to just say no.

Good choice

If you wish to purchase while in the US, have you considered travelling back on the Queen Mary 2 from New York? They have kennels on board - and it's a GREAT way to cross the Atlantic.

If you wish to purchase while in the US, have you considered travelling back on the Queen Mary 2 from New York? They have kennels on board - and it's a GREAT way to cross the Atlantic.

funny you should mention this option. we were facing the possibility of having to return to England with our mastiff (ok to fly ,he went LHR-MIA 2 yars ago) plus our Boston Terrier...we looked at the QM2 which is the only boat allowed to bring in dogs....fully booked (the kennels that is) until July 2014 !!!!!!!!!!!!!

fortunately our problem was resolved as we were granted our green card on Monday y)

fortunately our problem was resolved as we were granted our green card on Monday y)

A little aside from the discussion, but congrats ^) ^)

So you're going to line the pockets of a breeder and then put the dog through the horrible experience of a long flight?
Meanwhile you could choose from 1000s of rescue dogs in the UK.
grr