Shipping a dog

[lovetx]

We currently live in FLorida, but will be relocating to DC in October. We are thinking about putting our house on the market in Sept after I give birth to our 3rd child. We have two dogs-labs (choc and yellow) that are 8-9 years old. We are not sure how I'm going to be able to keep the house "show ready" with a newborn, twin 4 year olds and 2 dogs who shed a lot. My parents offered to take our chocolate lab until we move. However they live in TX and I am trying to figure out the best way to get him there. I got a quote from a pet transport company for $865 which seems high. Anyone have any experience flying a dog or any other ideas?

[dr.girlfriend]

I have shipped a cat long ago. The biggest concern was that they could not fly if the temperature on the ground was going to be above a certain number of degrees, which this time of year in Texas would be pretty much a certainty. I don't remember the details beyond that as to how we did it. It definitely didn't cost that much, though. Maybe $200?

Actually, I just read...you're thinking of sending one dog and not the other? I don't think that would help much. Just kennel them on the weekends, and vacuum before a weekday showing.

[Susie]

While I agree that a newborn + twin 4 year olds + 2 labs sounds like a handful, particularly when trying to sell a house, I don't really think reducing the crowd by one lab will make a meaningful difference. Not meaningful enough to uproot the dog, worry about shipping him (both cost and how he'd handle it), etc.

I'd look for another solution.

[ejpint]

I would not ship dogs in the heat of summer in the south of the country. $865 would be worth it to me to know that my dogs were safe, or I would find a way to meet halfway or just drive them.

[Brie]

Jul 6, 2012 14:50:15 GMT -5 Susie said:

While I agree that a newborn + twin 4 year olds + 2 labs sounds like a handful, particularly when trying to sell a house, I don't really think reducing the crowd by one lab will make a meaningful difference. Not meaningful enough to uproot the dog, worry about shipping him (both cost and how he'd handle it), etc.

I'd look for another solution.

This.

I'd get a Furminator and a cleaning lady and call it a day. Do people really not buy a house because it has dog hair? Maybe we are slacker house hunters, but I'm pretty sure that did not cross our minds once as a potential issue.

[Bob Loblaw]

Jul 6, 2012 14:50:47 GMT -5 ejpint said:

$865 would be worth it to me to know that my dogs were safe, or I would find a way to meet halfway or just drive them.

This. It would take one weekend. You could meet your parents halfway, spend the night in a dog-friendly hotel, and drive back the next day.

[Deleted]

Shipping a dog is risky. I agree that this doesn't sound like a great reason to do it, especially since you'll still have 1 dog at home.

I think when we were house hunting some people put their dogs in the garage while we were looking. Or went for a ride with their dog (or something? I don't know where they were).

[basilosaurus]

I put my dog in cargo twice: when I moved to Japan and when I moved back. It's stressful on the dog (and me, watching her all pitiful in her crate), expensive, a big hassle with temps. I drove from CO to MD to avoid shipping her when I was going overseas for 6 months.

In your case it's definitely not worth it. Nor, as others pointed out, do I think it will have much of an effect. Doggie daycare/cleaning service will be cheaper and happier for everyone involved.

[jenni232323]

100% Agree with everyone else - too stressful on the dog, especially at 8-9 years old.
Doggie daycare/cleaning service.

We had our 8 wk old puppy shipped to us from MN to FL in Sept 2006 - there's a requirement on the weather at both to/from cities. I wouldn't recommend it for any dog over that age.

[Deleted]

Please don't ship your dog(s); that just sounds awful. Will they meet you half-way?

kooshball, you shipped 2 turtles? ahahah omg that's funny. how much did that cost? Just the visual of 2 turtles on the airplane..ahaha.

[audette]

Jul 6, 2012 14:52:15 GMT -5 Brie said:

Jul 6, 2012 14:50:15 GMT -5 Susie said:

While I agree that a newborn + twin 4 year olds + 2 labs sounds like a handful, particularly when trying to sell a house, I don't really think reducing the crowd by one lab will make a meaningful difference. Not meaningful enough to uproot the dog, worry about shipping him (both cost and how he'd handle it), etc.

I'd look for another solution.

This.

I'd get a Furminator and a cleaning lady and call it a day. Do people really not buy a house because it has dog hair? Maybe we are slacker house hunters, but I'm pretty sure that did not cross our minds once as a potential issue.

It would make us think twice about a place, even if the rest of it was perfect. I'm allergic. Depending on how well the pet and the house have been kept up, making the place livable for me could be as simple as steam cleaning/duct cleaning, or as complex as replacing substantial amounts of flooring, baseboards, etc.

I can control my reaction with antihistamines, but that's not a solution for a place I plan on living...


Many non-pet-owners would think twice about getting a place that has obvious signs/smells of pet residence.

[flamingeaux]

Do you have a roomba?

[Deleted]

Jul 6, 2012 17:21:29 GMT -5 audette said:

Jul 6, 2012 14:52:15 GMT -5 Brie said:

This.

I'd get a Furminator and a cleaning lady and call it a day. Do people really not buy a house because it has dog hair? Maybe we are slacker house hunters, but I'm pretty sure that did not cross our minds once as a potential issue.

It would make us think twice about a place, even if the rest of it was perfect. I'm allergic. Depending on how well the pet and the house have been kept up, making the place livable for me could be as simple as steam cleaning/duct cleaning, or as complex as replacing substantial amounts of flooring, baseboards, etc.

I can control my reaction with antihistamines, but that's not a solution for a place I plan on living...


Many non-pet-owners would think twice about getting a place that has obvious signs/smells of pet residence.

While this is true, wouldn't you rather know going into the house that there had been a pet living there? I think it would be worse if you found out after you bought the house that your allergies were going to be horrible once you moved in. I would think the fact that you have pets at all isn't something you should hide from a potential buyer (ethically) but I understand that if the house is covered in dog hair that might not be appealing even to a dog lover (I would not buy my own house in its current state of hairiness - haha)

Google "dog airplane death" and a bunch of articles will come up. I was going to try to link one but IDK which one to even pick. I think something has been posted here or on my facebook before about this being an issue. Not trying to be overdramatic and I know sometimes flying your dog is unavoidable - but I don't think dogs should fly in cargo unless there is truly no other choice.

[LoveTrains]

I think it is a terrible idea to attempt to ship a dog from FL to TX this summer. It is much, much too hot for them to be in the cargo hold of a plane. Your dogs could die from the heat. I just don't think its worth it.

If you are insistent that the dogs need to be some place else, drive half way to drop the dogs with your parents. Sorry.

[princesscal]

NO WAY! There is no way I would EVER ship my dog(s) anywhere unless it was absolutely necessary. I knew someone who once worked at an airport and told me things about how they treat dogs that I am still trying to erase from my mind. Now, this was many years ago so I hope things have gotten better. In your situation I would find another solution, as there were many good options proposed in PPs,

[dexteroni]

How did I miss this post? I wouldn't ship a dog period, let alone from FL to TX in the summer. I really don't think having one dog instead of two will make much of a difference fur-wise, but if you really want to do it, drive her there or meet your parents halfway. Am I reading your post correctly, this is only for a month? Yeah, just vacuum and mop really well and it will be fine. I know it will be harder with a newborn but unless your parents will take both dogs, you'll be doing this anyway, whether you have one dog or two. Or get a cleaning lady for that month - it would be nice to have one when you have a newborn anyway.

[polarbearfans]

Doggie daycare and cleaning. Don't ship the dog away

[lovetx]

Stan-I'm sorry I didn't mean to freak you out. I hope everything goes fine with your dog.

I was just trying to think of solutions...I never realized the airlines were so bad. I did not google shipping deaths because I don't want any of those images in my head but I get the idea.

I think I will just get a cleaning a lady and try to find a local doggie daycare that will take them at the last minute if we have a day were we have mulitple showings. I'm just nervous about juggling everything with a newborn. My 4 year old twins will be in preschool half days so if they call with a showing I may just load up the dogs in the back of my 4-runner and take the newborn to the park and sit in the car and read. I was thinking with only one dog I could walk the dog and wear the new baby, but unfortunately I can't walk both dogs and handle the baby. Thanks for all the advice!

[polarbearfans]

Can a friend or neighbor help? Either coming with to the park or hosting a dog or two?

[imojoebunny]

We shipped our dog a number of times growing up. She lived to be 16 years old and seemingly never had a problem with it. We shipped her via Delta. I cannot imagine that pet shipping has become more dangerous in the last 15 years, given how over the top a lot of dog owners are now. (So I had dinner with one who just bought her 120 pound dog a life jacket to wear around their pool because she was concerned that he had not spent much time swimming). I think you have to do what you need to do to make your house ready for sale. I do think that dogs in the house, especially given the clutter of 3 kids will impact your potential sales price. People might not even think they are impacted by such things, but I think any realtor will tell you that they are.

[housegeek]

Holy overexaggerations batman. Airlines will fly dogs during the summer, it's climate controlled, and they will take animal cargo into climate controlled room/ vehicle for any time longer than 20 minutes outside over 85 degrees ( or something like that). We're flying in 2 weeks a with my pup across the country.

[AAM2012]

Jul 8, 2012 23:34:52 GMT -5 housegeek said:

Holy overexaggerations batman. Airlines will fly dogs during the summer, it's climate controlled, and they will take animal cargo into climate controlled room/ vehicle for any time longer than 20 minutes outside over 85 degrees ( or something like that). We're flying in 2 weeks a with my pup across the country.

Not all airlines will do it if the temps are above a certain # due to the liability.