Flying my Dog Down....
 
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Flying my Dog Down. and household stuff.

(@libby)
Posts: 6
Active Member
Topic starter
 

Hi All,

Pre Move visit is done and we will be heading down in 2 to 4 weeks. We have a place set up, school set up, and possibly even a car picked out. ....although I'm very open to suggestions. Thanks again for all the great advice! Not surprisingly, I need a little more Please 🙂 ... I used the search field here but didn't find a lot about it and I need to know what is the best way to get my dog on island. Particularly what airline/s is /are the most flexible / easy to deal with, and have the best options. My girl is a little over a year old and about 26 to 28 #s and maybe 21 to 22 inches high at her back. Ideally I would Love to just buy her a seat and carry her on but I don't think any of the airlines will allow that at her size. PLEASE correct me if I am wrong. If not then I need general info so I can choose the best option for her. ...I am aware however of the 10 day vet note and rabies requirements.

I would also like info for sending / shipping household stuff. We will be renting an unfurnished place so I'm going to need most all of the basics. I've done some checking and it looks as if shipping a container is pretty expensive and the things that we will need are pretty readily avail on island, some used, some new. ...Again PLEASE correct me if I am wrong, because if I can spend $1000 to $2000 to get our stuff here then I would probably go that route and forget having to piece it all together. If not, then I would love advice as to where to purchase neccessities, both new and used, advice as to the best way to ship the things that I want to: clothes, dvds, cds, toys, misc bedding, and a little kitchen and bath stuffs. Also, what should I skip shipping that in your experience wasn't needed or worth it, and what should I make sure to ship that you wished you had. A couple of things that I am specifically wanting advice for is our mattresses, patio furniture, and 6 drawer bed frame. ....but any and all advice is appreciated.

THANKS Again so very much for your time and advice. :))

 
Posted : September 30, 2014 8:50 pm
(@libby)
Posts: 6
Active Member
Topic starter
 

Also I did check out the Re-use store while I was there, as well as another used furniture place.

 
Posted : September 30, 2014 8:54 pm
Petra
(@Petra)
Posts: 157
Estimable Member
 

Here are some of the threads I found discussing relocating pets:

https://www.vimovingcenter.com/talk/read.php?4,230400,230603#msg-230603

https://www.vimovingcenter.com/talk/read.php?4,229200,229213#msg-229213

https://www.vimovingcenter.com/talk/read.php?4,223736,223894#msg-223894

https://www.vimovingcenter.com/talk/read.php?4,222593,222598#msg-222598

I found this line of crates that has extra ventilation for flying that I just ordered to start getting the pup acclimated to the kennel. They also make an intermediate size (30-50lbs) but looks like Petco doesn't carry it so I ordered from Chewy.com.

Hope this helps!

 
Posted : September 30, 2014 11:54 pm
Petra
(@Petra)
Posts: 157
Estimable Member
 

As for your daughter and her height/size, I would call the airlines directly.

For your HH goods and furniture, I've seen most advice is to put your things in storage for the 1st year and rent a furnished place. We realized that either way, we needed to start downsizing.

 
Posted : September 30, 2014 11:59 pm
(@klpmtm)
Posts: 239
Estimable Member
 

Hi Libby! I'm not sure if you've mentioned previously where you are relocating from, but I can tell you that moving furniture is expensive. I moved from MA to CA back in 1999 and back then it was around $1000 way back then and we didn't have do deal with crating and shipping via the ocean. However if you find a company that is cheap let us all know so we can research them too!

I too am working on moving to STX but for next year. And have asked the same questions about furniture and household items. So here's what I learned.... If your furniture is made out of cheap wood of pressed particle board, don't bring it b/c it won't last down there. Also, plenty of people suggest renting a storage locker and put your stuff in it to wait it out in case you go running back to the mainland. But before you think about doing that research what it will cost for your few pieces of furniture. Because let me tell you, it isn't' cheap to rent one for a year, I looked into it and we will mot be doing that it isn't' worth it for us. Next, look into what your plane charges for baggage. If you are allowed any free baggage, load it up! Keep in mind the wright restrictions though. Since there are 4 of us and Jet Blue allows 1 free checked bag and a free carry on, we plan on buying some decent sized inexpensive, yet durable, suitcases and packing them full of clothes. That is what we did when we moved to California. And we managed to get all of our clothes moved free. For all of your smaller items, see if there is someone in the USVI who can accept packages for you instill you get there and all the stuff through the USPS. Check to see whether flat rate shipping vs regular shipping would be cheaper. I think flat rate would be for some of the heavier items.

As for what to pack we are not there yet so I can't say for sure, but....
I can tell you that all those little things you talked about will add up when you move. For example, we left all of our hangers behind when we moved thinking we will just buy what we need when we get there. Turns out it would have been way cheaper to take our hangers with us! We must have spent almost $100 back in 1999 for just hangers!!! And I'm talking the cheap plastic kind. So guess what I plan on packing to take with me? Hangers! So just do you due diligence and research how much all those little things cost, b/c they will add up.

I hope this all helps and good luck with your move!

 
Posted : October 1, 2014 8:01 am
(@speee1dy)
Posts: 8873
Illustrious Member
 

we moved some stuff in 2004 using vi cargo. call them and ask about how much it would cost

 
Posted : October 1, 2014 12:12 pm
(@libby)
Posts: 6
Active Member
Topic starter
 

Thanks for the info so far. I've got some calls in for quotes for moving things and I read the links and did get some useful info. ... Still not much about which airlines for moving pup? ...I know it's not something you do regularly but if anyone has had, or has heard of anyone having a decent experience with any of the airlines somewhat recently I would be most appreciative if you could share. TY

 
Posted : October 1, 2014 10:28 pm
(@toninski)
Posts: 97
Trusted Member
 

Libby,
We brought two dogs down....one at a time, since my husband stayed in California for a couple years working til he moved. The first he brought was our 70 lb Labradoodle on American Airlines a
In cargo. The second, a Lab, is a registered service dog, so he was able to ride in the cabin for free, so he does not count.

With the labradoodle, he fle wthe red eye to Miami, to be able to get on the first morning flight out. If the temp is predicted to gt over 80 degrees on any given day, they won't fly the dog. Usually, they accept from October, until, spring time. He brought him down in mid October. You need a health certificate from a vet within ten days of flying, and I believe it was $150-175 charge. You have to make a reservation, because they won't take more than 2 pets per flight in cargo.

I would recommend breaking the flight into two days, depending on where you are coming from and overnight in Miami. It is pretty stressful on the pets. Our dgs have always been crate trained, but this was tough for them. They aren't allowed to eat anything, so it was well over 20 hours without food and being separated for our big guy. He did well, he was only 3 AT&T the time, but I was really worried.

Good luck with the move! Our boys love it here!!
Shannon

 
Posted : October 3, 2014 4:42 am
(@speee1dy)
Posts: 8873
Illustrious Member
 

we brought out cat when we moved down and used american. you need a certificate from the vet with all shots up to date that must be done within 10 days of flight-double check that. we have no rabies down here. we brought him as a carry on. the only time i was nervous was when he went through security , he had to be physically taken out and carried through and then put back in. luckily he was so scared he didnt mind me holding him for that

 
Posted : October 3, 2014 3:02 pm
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