Dog Relocation Prep Work

Today I took the time to talk to 2 Pet-Relocation companies. Trying to work that out via email didn't work out that well.

That what I got out of the first company didn't particularly satisfy me. That so called 'Relocation Specialist' doesn't know much more about relocation than I did. Even during the phone call with the woman I still had the distinct impression that the dog would be treated pretty much as a piece of cargo... and that's just not good enough!! When I asked her for how long the dog was going to be stuck in the travel crate, I got a very interesting answer: "We will try our best that the travel time doesn't exceed 12 hours at a time". But she couldn't guarantee me that. That pretty much mad any further conversation a waste of time.

So I called the 'Relocation Specialist' from the 2nd company. That's the company that I had planned on choosing to begin with. That guy was absolutely knowledgeable. I was truly impressed. I've spent quite some time researching pet-relocation to Austria. But that guy was able to answer all my questions regarding timeframe, paperwork and regulations. He also told me that he wasn't entirely sure if the Austrian Authorities can scan Daisy's 9-digit microchip, but told me that he would talk to the authorities and let me know when he emails the paperwork and timetable to me, within the next few days.

He told me that there are only about 4 or 5 airlines that they work with. (Having done my 'research homework' I knew that those airlines had a very good reputation when it comes to relocating pets.) Each single airline has a designated pet safety program in place. In essence that means that the dog is not being checked as 'cargo'. She is being shipped supervised in a compartment, that has the same temperature and pressure as the passenger cabin. Besides that they make sure that the dog isn't locked in he travel crate for more than 10 hours. During the layover Daisy will have enough time to hang out in the 'Doggie Lounge'. While I was on the phone with him he could tell me exactly how long the layover for a specific travel date would be and the approximate time I can expect Daisy to be delivered to my parents house. That's definitely impressive!! OK, on the downside choosing this company will cost me about 700 to 800 bucks more, but considering that this way the relocation for Daisy will be less stressful, that's money well spent!!