Name: Betty
Number of Pets: Two
Pet Type: Dogs
Pet Breed: Bulldog, Mixed Breed
From: Charlottesville, VA, USA
To: Auckland, NZ
I'm very worried about flying our Bulldog because of temperature extremes, etc. for the exceptionally long flights and layovers to New Zealand. Are there any options? Cruise ships? Please help!
Thanks,
Betty
Hi Betty,
Thanks for your questions, and please know that your concerns are totally understandable. Flying internationally with pets, particularly snub-nosed breeds, can be stressful, but starting the process early and doing some research will help ease your anxiety.
We've moved many Bulldogs long-distance, and there are a few important things to do to help the trip go well. First, talk to your vet and consider doing a full health-diagnostic on your dog to reveal any underlying issues. If you decide to proceed from there, choose a travel crate that's nice and big so as to promote good air flow, and be sure your dog is comfortable spending time in the crate (you may need to start training several weeks in advance of the trip). Another crucial element is the airline you choose. Be sure to go with a pet-friendly airline, one that has established pet policies and well-trained employees so that temperature issues do not come into play.
This is just a quick overview (here's another link with some smart pet travel tips), and we'd be happy to talk with you further. Feel free to give our office a call or fill out our free quote form if you're interested in finding out more about our services. Either way, we hope this helps and wish you a great trip!