Pet Travel Question: Transporting Dogs to France
Name: Heather
From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
To: Provence, France
Pet: Riley, Dog, Golden Doodle
Are there alternatives to traveling by air with my dog to France? If not, do any airlines exist which would allow me to bring my 65 pound dog on board with me rather than stow her in the luggage compartment? I am moving to do my doctorate in France. My golden doodle is very sensitive and gets anxious easily. For this reason, I am wondering whether it is possible to travel with her on board with me or via ship? I've heard horror stories about air travel and would prefer to forego this opportunity than to put her through anything that would be traumatic for her.
Thanks,
Heather
Hi Heather,
Thanks for your question! Pet travel can definitely be stressful, especially when you're starting out and don't know much about the process. We move pets safely all the time, however, and would be happy to shed some light on how things work.
A dog of your size will not be able to fly in the cabin with you, but when you choose a pet-friendly airline,
flying your pet in the cargo area is a safe option. We often fly pets this way and, though it seems surprising from a human perspective, dogs probably prefer the less chaotic atmosphere of the temperature-controlled, pressure-controlled cargo area.
Hopefully this information helps to put your mind at ease, and we're happy to talk to you about your move if you have more questions or if you'd like a free quote (you can
contact us here). Good luck with everything!