Traveling Pets as Cargo
When using a pet travel Agent to organize your puppy/dog shipping, please be aware that unless your selected agent collects the dog from the centre, you will be charged a transport and handling fee from Astra Sheepdog Centre.
Sometimes when I fly I compare the uncomfortable seat, minimum leg room, never-ending boredom and queues that us humans have to put up with to the relative comfort and excellent handling that the animals have during their flight and whilst on the ground.
Regulations for the welfare of the animal in transit.
- Size of the Air Kennel as stipulated by IATA
The international Airline Transport Association (IATA) have very strict regulations on the size and construction of the Kennels used to ship animals in. The dog must have enough space to stand, turn around, lie down and sit in a natural position. He must have a food and water container.
- Temperature restrictions
Some airlines have restrictions on flying animals when the temperature is either too hot or too cold.
- Other Welfare issues
The dog should travel with plenty of water to prevent dehydration and minimal food to ensure the comfort of the dog as they do not like to soil their sleeping area. On this point the dog is well exercised prior to loading on the Aircraft.
- Road Transportation regulations
Animal welfare regulations are in place for licensed Breeders and Airline Approved Shippers to ensure that the transport of the animal to the Vets and the airport is in safe and suitable kennels, with regular stops for exercise and water.
Advice on getting the correct size airline carrier
To ensure you select the correct size of container for your pet, please follow these guidelines. They relate to an animal standing in a natural position.
A maximum of two adult animals of comparable size (maximum 14kg each), that are used to co-habiting, may be shipped in the same container. Animals exceeding this weight must travel individually.
"no more than two live puppies or kittens, 8 weeks to 6 months of age, that are of comparable size
and weighing 20 lb. (9 kg) or less each, may be transported in the same primary enclosure via air
carrier." This is a good practice to follow for all animal shipments, no matter what country they are
traveling in.
Remember, animals may become stressed and aggressive when traveling by air and should not
be placed in the same container unless they are young puppies or kittens. Animals which share
the same household may become stressed and aggressive towards each other when traveling by
air.
Measurements A, B, C and D for the largest animal should be used to determine the container dimensions. The width of the container is calculated as follows: for two animals, C x 3; for three animals, C x 4.
For two or three animals, the height and length are the same as for a single animal.
so the cage size you require is: -
length A + 1/2 B
height D
width 2 x C
Containers
The correct size of a container is essential. It must protect the animal during transport, be secure and have sufficient ventilation. If you do not meet the following requirements, British Airways World Cargo may refuse travel for your pet.
Container must be large enough for the pet to stand up, turn around and lie down in a natural manner.
Your pet will be in the container for some time, therefore, it should be as comfortable as possible.
Container must be strong enough to protect the pet during transport, be secure enough to contain it and have sufficient ventilation on all four sides to ensure the air quality in the container will not deteriorate.
The door must be secured in such a manner that it will not open accidentally or your pet cannot open it during handling and transport.
Your pet's nose and paws should not be able to fit through any ventilation opening or door mesh.
The container must have a water pot and food container accessible from outside.
The container should be constructed out of rigid plastic, wood, or a material of comparable strength. Fibreboard or wiremesh containers are not suitable for air transportation.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) Live Animals Regulations contains detailed instructions on container constructions as well as the size and stocking densities.
Most pet stores and kennels sell containers or they can be made to measure to meet IATA specifications.
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Delivery Cost to the Airport
The purchase price of our puppies and dogs is no different should you wish to visit the farm to purchase and collect your new dog/puppy.
Because of this we make a charge for this service of no more that £160.00 depending on the airport of departure. This fee can be substantially reduced if the transport to the airport is shared with another delivery.
Administration and Handling Fees
The purchase price of our puppies and dogs is no different should you wish to visit the farm to purchase and collect your new dog/puppy.
However, we offer everyone a special service to organize the required vaccinations, blood testing, export health certificates etc. together with organizing the shipping.
We also supply of the air kennel.
- Vaccinations and Blood tests are charged at cost plus a minimum fee of £10.00 for each visit to the vet this includes transport.
- Issue and completion of the Export Health Certificate £75.00.
- Issue and completion of Pet Passport excluding any vaccination £75.00
- A handling and administration fee of £25.00
- Air Kennel supplied is either a Vari Kennel or a professionally made wooden kennel to IATA specifications. Approximate. cost from £40.00 to £150.00
Currency Converter
Our prices are quoted in UK Pound Sterling therefore please use the Currency Converter to establish the approximate. total cost of your "Astra Sheepdog" in your own currency.
Please check this out BEFORE applying to us to make a purchase of your puppy/dog.
USA
Sending animals to the USA is relatively easy as the Americans are well used to traveling animals around the USA and almost all their aircraft are adapted for the carriage of animals. The USA has an embargo on accepting animals on airlines depending on the minimum and maximum temperatures on departure and arrival.
Atlanta
We have a contact who is a Border Collie owner just outside Atlanta
They also have a "State of the Art" Boarding Kennels.
Please ensure you ask us about this facility if you and/or your dog are transiting in Atlanta.
For a small fee someone will meet you and your dog at Atlanta Airport, help you to transfer your dog from the passenger side to the cargo area or visa versa.
They will provide overnight kenneling for the dog and transport for you to a hotel and when you are ready, return you and your dog back to the Airport for onward travel to anywhere else in the Americas.
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CANADA
Sending animals to Canada is relatively easy as they are well used to traveling animals around the Country and almost all their aircraft are adapted for the carriage of animals. Canada has an embargo on accepting animals on airlines depending on the minimum and maximum temperatures on departure and arrival.
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MEXICO
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BRAZIL
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Other American Countries
Please contact us for a quote.
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EUROPEAN UNION COUNTRIES
Shipping a dog to European Union Countries is relatively straightforward, most of these countries can also benefit at the present time from visiting the UK relatively inexpensively on an airline which will accept dogs as excess luggage, take this opportunity to visit Scotland on holiday.
Portugal
Some Low cost airlines will take the dog as excess luggage otherwise can be costly
Spain
Low cost airlines will take the dog as excess luggage otherwise can be costly. Shipping to Majorca is no problem.
Belgium
Suggest the ferry crossing to Rosyth and collect the dog yourself. Shipping by road possible.
France
Shipping can be arranged by Road and Air. Relatively inexpensive especially close to Calais
Italy
Can be difficult to arrange at a reasonable cost. Consider collecting yourself via Excess Luggage.
Germany
Relatively inexpensive but look into collecting the dog yourself at the centre via ferry or excess luggage.
The Netherlands
Relatively inexpensive but look into collecting the dog yourself at the centre via ferry or excess luggage. Shipping by Road is possible to Amsterdam.
Switzerland
Can be expensive and difficult to arrange.
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Norway
Norway can be easy to get to especially from Aberdeen to Oslo and not particularly expensive. We are not happy about placing the dog onto an additional flight from Oslo into the North, therefore please try to make arrangements to either collect the dog yourself from our centre or to collect from Oslo.
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Sweden
Sweden can be an expensive destination.
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Finland
We have several dogs in Finland and welcome further applications.
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Russia
Applications are welcome from Russia but it is not easy to import a dog into that country.
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Japan
We have several dogs now in Japan.
We have an agent in Japan who will be asked to check any applicant before we will allow one of our dogs or puppies to be sent into Japan.
Please contact us for more details.
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Iceland
Iceland can be difficult and expensive to take a dog into as cargo therefore we do suggest that you consider the purchase of semen as a way of taking new blood into your country.
Or to visit and take the dog back as Excess Luggage.
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Any other northern Hemisphere country
Please contact us for a quote.
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Australia
Exports into Australia - Quarantine period is 30 days and some dogs cannot handle this high stress environment.
At present all the Quarantine Facilities are running at full capacity and are fully booked for approximate three months in advance. It is essential that any one wishing to import an animal into Australia contacts their nearest Quarantine facility for availability before contacting us.
Alternatively we recommend that you look into the purchase of semen as a way of taking new blood into your country.
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New Zealand
There is no Quarantine into New Zealand, however the dog does have to remain in the UK for up to 30 days whilst undergoing certain tests prior to export.
The Flight is extremely long and tiring for a dog and we would suggest that you look into the purchase of semen as a way of taking new blood into your country.
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South Africa
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Any other southern Hemisphere Country
Please contact us for a quote.
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Still have not answered your question?
We are still building the information details of this web site and will update them from time to time.
if your question is not listed or we have not answered your question in enough detail please email us with the subject heading "Export Question".
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Advice on getting the correct size airline carrier: -
To ensure you select the correct size of container for your pet, please follow these guidelines. They relate to an animal standing in a natural position.
A maximum of two adult animals of comparable size (maximum 14kg each), that are used to co-habiting, may be shipped in the same container. Animals exceeding this weight must travel individually.
"no
more than two live puppies or kittens, 8 weeks to 6 months of age, that are of comparable size
and weighing 20 lb. (9 kg) or less each, may be transported in the same primary enclosure via air
carrier." This is a good practice to follow for all animal shipments, no matter what country they are
traveling in.
Remember, animals may become stressed and aggressive when traveling by air and should not
be placed in the same container unless they are young puppies or kittens. Animals which share
the same household may become stressed and aggressive towards each other when traveling by
air.
Measurements A, B, C and D for the largest animal should be used to determine the container dimensions. The width of the container is calculated as follows: for two animals, C x 3; for three animals, C x 4.
For two or three animals, the height and length are the same as for a single animal.
so the cage size you require is: -
length A + 1/2 B
height D
width 2 x C
Containers
The correct size of a container is essential. It must protect the animal during transport, be secure and have sufficient ventilation. If you do not meet the following requirements, British Airways World Cargo may refuse travel for your pet.
Container must be large enough for the pet to stand up, turn around and lie down in a natural manner.
Your pet will be in the container for some time, therefore, it should be as comfortable as possible.
Container must be strong enough to protect the pet during transport, be secure enough to contain it and have sufficient ventilation on all four sides to ensure the air quality in the container will not deteriorate.
The door must be secured in such a manner that it will not open accidentally or your pet cannot open it during handling and transport.
Your pet's nose and paws should not be able to fit through any ventilation opening or door mesh.
The container must have a water pot and food container accessible from outside.
The container should be constructed out of rigid plastic, wood, or a material of comparable strength. Fibreboard or wiremesh containers are not suitable for air transportation.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) Live Animals Regulations contains detailed instructions on container constructions as well as the size and stocking densities.
Most pet stores and kennels sell containers or they can be made to measure to meet IATA specifications.
more
