Flying Elderly GSD

HoneyBone · #1 07-07-11, 02:39 PM

Hi all

Well as some of you know, I am a Brit currently living in South Africa. The time has come to get out of here. I am not going to waste a post on why I am leaving, but I am pretty sure its obvious.

My question is about flying an old GSD on a long haul flight. The flight from Johannesburg to London is 12 hours (its actually 11 hours flight time, but it is a good 12 hours of actually being on the plane, if not 13 hours).

Add on to these 12 hours the time to get to the airport, the travel time in London on arrival and so on... I estimate that the entire time will be approx 28 - 30 hours all told.

I have four dogs:

Two male GSDs (11 and 7) who will be 12 and 8 by the time they fly.
A Lab who is 7 and will be 8 at flight time.
A mix medium breed who is 11 and will still be 11 at flight time.

The only dog i am worried about is my 11 year old GSD. My lab is bomb proof, the little mix is a nutter but will be fine and my 7 year GSD is a doofus who doesnt care about the world as long as he is comfortable.

Has anyone had an experiences with flying an old dog on a long haul flight? He is a fit dog, healthy and still runs around like a 6 year old at the park, still swims, still tries to eat the post man, does not battle to get up, still very alert and eats well etc. He does get a wee stiff and slower over winter (which is now, we are freezing here), but generally people cannot believe he is 11 when they see him.

I will of course have a full blood profile done before i make my decision to fly him, and the vet will do a geriatric profile for fitness and health on all my dogs. If for any reason the vet says one of them cannot fly, then I will not do it and I will stay (much against my better judgement, but i will not ever leave my dogs - either they go with me, or i stay to live their lives out).

I am in such a state over this. If i go ahead i know i will cry non stop for 12 hours on the plane knowing they are beneath me in cargo.

Has anyone got any advice for me on this? I would be most grateful. xx

lauraburns · #2 07-07-11, 02:51 PM

I don't have any advice I am afraid, but I just want to wish you loads of luck!! That is no mean feat you are undertaking! Hope you all make it over here safe and sound soon!

frankie123 · #3 07-07-11, 02:55 PM

No advice either sorry

but all the best, hope everything turns out okay for you and your babies x

Stuart · #4 07-07-11, 04:32 PM

Is there any group that you could contact in South Africa for help?,.. a dog club, customs,
Generaly I think that the dogs would be fine, although 11 hours is not beyond them, it is a long time

These two forums may help you,.. and I am sure there would be many more on the net

Experience on flying a dog long haul...

Dogs on planes

Bonniesmummy · #5 07-07-11, 05:16 PM

Sorry hun, wish I could help

keep us posted on whatever you do though and I hope it all works out the way you need it to

xxx

chazzvetnurse27 · #6 07-07-11, 06:11 PM

It's a toughie that, how did you get them out there? Or didnt you? I know I would have a freak out about my dog being in a cargo hold for 12 hours but then I have no idea what they are like or if their supervised etc.
I'm not being very helpful...maybe contact the airport and ask? Sorry! xx

xx

Jude · #7 07-07-11, 06:32 PM

My daughter has flown two labs from UK to Japan and back again and then one went on to fly to Australia but the other stayed here with me (she failed the blood tests required for entry into Oz). They both coped very well with all their flights - I think they slept most of the time! They did not travel on the same flights as the humans but they are very well looked after and the transporters even e-mailed photos from the kennels when the dogs had to stay overnight in Tokyo having missed their connection to Sapporo. They used a specialist pet transport company who were excellent.

LOVEGSD · #8 08-07-11, 11:43 AM

Another member on here has flown her GSD's out of the country so if she logs on she'llb e able to give you her opinion.

Good luck though I hope all goes well....xx

Sheila in SA · #9 11-04-12, 02:37 PM

and have to say am very happy here - however that was not your question

I can recommend a travel service. It is called Animal Travel Services, it is run by Reikie Fourie who has German Shepherds herself. I flew my pup down from Joburg to CT with them and he was extremely well cared for. They will also take care of the paperwork for you as they are used to importing and exporting GSDs. They also have offices in Joburg. CT number is 021 934 5567

HoneyBone · #10 11-04-12, 06:00 PM

Thanks Sheila. My old boy passed away three weeks ago on 23 March. So i guess my question about flying him long haul no longer applies. Not worried about my other dogs, as nothing worries them, but my old boy was very stressy like some GSDs are... so it was always a worry. And whilst I am devastated by his loss, there is a part of me that is glad i will not have to put him through the flight when we move (which will be in about two years now - need to finish my degree first).

Thank you for the information. I have made a note of it and saved it in my "move" folder on my computer