Sending a dog back to the UK

Great stuff E_M. Going to keep your checklist for when I need it. Thanks. :)

Hi, I took two dogs (small spaniels) back with me last April and I think the total came to about AED2,700 each excluding the vet things you have to do beforehand. I'm afraid I can't remember the exact process, but it was actually really easy (easier than it first appears to be when looking at the procedures online). I'll give you everything I can remember: 1) Make sure your paperwork is 100% in order. The microchipping letter must be dated, and predate the rabies injection and testing letter, both of which must have the microchip number on them. 2) Get a dog crate to the specifications required by the airline. DKC will make a wooden one suitable for air transport and tailored to the size of your dog for AED700, or you may be able to buy one new or second-hand depending on the size of your dog. 3) The airport options are restricted to either Heathrow, Gatwick or Manchester (for Manchester the pet owner must travel with their pets) and they must travel on one of the following airlines: Emirates, British Airways or Virgin Atlantic (BA and Virgin take pets only into Heathrow). The dogs can only travel as cargo (obviously heated and pressurised). 4) I found Emirates to be marginally cheaper than the others. Email [email protected] to request a quote on the flight that you wish to take (a night flight Mon to Wed is best to avoid weekend charges).You get charged for the volume of the crate, not the weight, so a crate of the correct size is important. You must e-mail them these details: Dog Name: Color: Age: Breed: Gender: Weight: Weight + cage: Cage dimensions: Shipper details: Consignee details: 5) They will send you the quote and a C5 form for you to send to the clearing agent in the UK who will be responsible for the unload (James Cargo Services on 00441753682244, Fax no 00441753683407 and email address:[email protected]). When they have received your form they will send the ok to Emirates Dubai to confirm your dogs on the flight. (this can all be done very last minute by the way - I think I did it two days beofrehand, not that I recommend it but my plans kept changing. 6) Tick and Tape worm has to be done 48-24 hrs before departure date of flight from your private vet, who will give you the necessary form (I use the veterinary hospital in Al Quoz and they know the procedure http://www.vet-hosp.com/about/vets/). Take the form to get it stamped from the minsitry vet at Cargo Village in Emirates Skycargo Bldg (no appointment needed - just turn up). At the same time he will also issue a UAE Health Certificate which is AED100, and you can only pay by E-Dirham card which you can get from the post office. I had my dog and crate in the car but he didn't ask to see it or them. 7) Get last confirmation from the airline and go to the airport about 4 hours before the flight. I really can't remember which desks and building you must go to as you drop the dog at the cargo station with the doors for lorries, fill in 5 forms or so, then go next door to make the payments, then come back with some more forms...someone will tell you to go from desk to desk etc. 8) At Heathrow you go to the animal cargo collection point which is a separate building a long way from the terminal and wait a couple of hours for them to call you and the dog comes out on its lead looking like it saw you two minutes ago! - they are far more traumatised by going to the groomers! <em>edited by E_M on 10/01/2011</em>

Best ask your vet, you will need to get a health check plus Frontline treatment 48 hrs before flying anyway, most vets are well versed in the procedure and should be able to give you all the info.. Also do a search and post in the pets section, I am sure there used to be a good procedure checklist on there, if not someone will surely advise (sorry I can't help, we used DKC).

Hi, I found the info on the BA site quite straightforward and easy to follow - not actually gone through the process yet tho. Although they recommend using a pet travel agent for unaccompanied pets, it does outline the requirements for your pet to fly quite clearly. http://www.baworldcargo.com/products/liveanimals.shtml?site=/products/liveanimals.shtml Hope this helps

ps. if you find out can you let me know as I will probably do that myself when it is time to leave. TIA. :)

I know it can be done but do not know the exact process. I believe you need to go to Cargo Village for the paperwork. Have you tried calling K9 and asking if anyone there can tell you what to do or maybe one of the vets. :)