International move?

[tweaver]

Anyone here (or anyone known) made an international move with their fids? I've been offered a dream job in Sweden (I'm in the US), but am worried about being able to take my zoo (3 dogs, cat, and 4 conures -- all but 2 are rescues).

I'm hoping someone has done this, or knows someone who has done this. My concern is how the heck do I move them? Fly? Can't imagine that I could take them in the passenger cabin (can you hear the screeching?).

I already know that I have to get an export license from the US (have the paperwork) and import license from Sweden for the birds. Any recommendations for vaccines? For carriers?

Any advice is very, very welcome!

[catschair]

Congrats on the opportunity! Do you need to quarantine your critters when you get there? You will need recent health certificates (usually within 24-48 hr) and airline approved carriers. As far as actually moving them, despite the horror stories, I have taken cats as "cargo" or in the cabin and have taken my birds in the cabin on Continental, Northwest and United, without incident. Your relocation consultant should be able to hook you up with someone who specializes in moving pets. Good luck!

[tweaver]

Thanks for the info --
I've emailed Swedish authorities for more info -- I read online that EU is banning importation of pet birds because of avian flu... and I'm praying that this is wrong, because I can't handle the idea of choosing between my babies and the job.

I'm glad to hear that airlines allow the birds in the cabin -- but do you really think 3 sun conures and 1 nanday (mine are screechers) would be okay in a cabin flying for 8+ hours? I'm afraid I'd get booted from the plane because of the noise!!

[catschair]

responded via PM with some links & a bit more info!

[Ainon]

Hello, congrats to the job! In what city?

I suggest that you contact the Swedish agriculture department for the right facts about what you have to do to be able to bring then with you.
Startsida - Jordbruksverket [NS4 version]

[Eliza]

Originally Posted by tweaver

I'm glad to hear that airlines allow the birds in the cabin -- but do you really think 3 sun conures and 1 nanday (mine are screechers) would be okay in a cabin flying for 8+ hours? I'm afraid I'd get booted from the plane because of the noise!!

Generally speaking, domestic flights limit that amount of animals (dogs, cats, birds, rabbits -- whatever you fancy) that can fly in cabin. I am under the impression that it's usually a limit of 2 pets per flight within the US. Keep in mind that a service animal (seeing eye dog or emotional assistance animal) will be given consideration before a companion animal. International flights likely will do the same. I would be concerned about the noise level of your birds. There's a good chance that they all would be rather quiet, given the unusual situation but if they are vocal and other passengers complain, you may have to put them in cargo.

Here is an article that might offer some help: ParrotChronicles.com

You may want to contact the Swedish consulate in your state/ region. They should be able to provide you with helpful information regarding transporting pets and quarantine.

-e-

[qmichelle]

I hope something works out for you.

Even if you got them over there, however, I'd be worried about bringing them back to the US if you decide not to live there forever. They might not let you import them back into the US from Sweden if things don't work out.

[tweaver]

Sorry I didn't respond sooner -- didn't notice anyone had added a post.
I'm moving to Orebro. I've figured out that I need an export license from the US and an import license for Sweden. And I need to have the fids tested for avian flu antibodies, and isolated for 10 days prior to the move.

Now I'm looking for a good avian vet in Omaha, Nebraska -- anyone?

Also, I've figured out that I need to take them in the cabin of the plane -- but I can only take 2 animals at a time. Guess my husband and I will have to take separate flights. Any advice about flying? Three sun conures and a Nanday - I'm afraid they'll get screechy! I also heard that I should probably start "training" them and perhaps get them "beefed up" with stress vitamins beforehand.

Anything more?

I'm not moving until January -- and my husband may be staying until April of next year, so we really have plenty of time to figure this all out.

[tweaver]

Thanks for the concern, Michelle -- but I doubt we'll be back to the US. My husband is European and I personally spent 3 months working where my new position will be -- I fell in love with Sweden and with the people I'll be working with. I can't imagine coming back -- at least not until the US has socialized health care and gun control :)

[raddaughter]

COngrats on the dream job! Europe is so beautiful! Havn't been, but my mom was military and went to highschool in Germany. Beautiful country!

In the March issue of Bird Talk there was an article about air travel with your birds. I suggest purchasing this from Bird Talk's back issues. But, here are some of the things they said you must have/should do:

You obviously cannot ship birds through mail, but if you feel they will be happier together, they can ride via the cargo hold. If you ship via cargo hold, you have 2 options:
1. Counter-Counter shipping: when you arrive, the birds are hand carried off the plane to the airilne counter inside, as opposed to sitting on the plane for X amount of time.

2. The other option cheaper, but not as attractive. Basically, they are in the same area, but will be unloaded with the regular cargo (one peice at a time). They are taken out of the plane with the other luggage moved to the cargo hold (by equipment). The bad thing is that they are treated like baggage, not exactly animals...

You will need a permit. If you are having a connected flight (flying from one state to the other and then to Sweeden) you will need permits. Each individual bird will need health certifacates. They cost between $20-$50 (rough estimate in BT). You birds must be in an airline approved container, such as a plastic crate. You are required at least one perch which must be secure. They said you can drill a hold in the sides of the crate and attach a branch or two. Make sure the perch is only an inch or two from the bottom, as during take off and landing they are likely to loose balance and fall.

You must provide adequate food and water. Water should be in a water bottle. Make sure you know your birds won't run out, and the air line people won't refill it. Food bowls should contain a 2 day supply of thei main diet (i.e seeds or pellets) I also think you should include some hydrating fruits and veggies like grapes, cellery, oragnes, mango, etc...

Before leaving, ensure the crate is secue without permantly locking it. If something were to happen (an emegency) the air line employeese would need to remove the birds asap. One of those plastic tie cable things that you see on kid toys (the thick kind that slides smaller and then you can't pull back up) are a good idea because then the crate cannot come appart without somone cutting it.

Labeling the crates is reccommended because employees must be able to know if there is a live animal. Make sure the crate is clearly labled "LIVE ANIMAL" on all crates. It also says to label what animal is inside and whether or not it bites. Also be sure to state whether the bird is flighted or not. Attach contact information (I would use packaging tape and make sure it is in a place where the birds cannot chew) incase of emergency.

Air freight charges for pets varies. Most counter to counter shipments cost about $200 while regular air cargo freights cost runs at about $100. Cabin charges (riding with you) can be more or less expensive, depending on the size of the animal, liability issues, weight and how it may affect other passengers.

Be sure that the day you are flying the weather is nice. Birds will not be shippedin weather about 85 F. or below 45 F. It is also not good to ship birds if there is a storm brewing as it can cause delays, meaning more issues for you.

International shipping is much more difficult. You will have to find an airline that will ship your birds; not all will take them out of the country. Some carriers will ship to Canado but not Europeand Mexico, so before you buy tickets that say your birds can fly out of the country, make sure it is the country you are flying to. Each country's import and quaretein regulations will vary. Due to the bird flu scare, some will not release the bird for several weeks. Hawaii, for example (and this happened to a neighbor or mine who moved there) demands that dogs be in quarentein for 6 months. Because they have never had rabies and some other diseases, they must make sure the animal going ot the state doesn't have any illnesses and is healthy.

Sometimes where your airplane will land will have different regulations than where you are going to live. Be sure to read up on your homework and make sure you have several plans in mind in case something were to happen!