Pet Transporter services?

[Lionbunny]

Well, I haven’t been on here in a VERY long time, mainly because since last May my friend has been taking care of Buns for me. I am in the middle east and will finally be returning to the US this December hopefully! I have started trying to look into my options for getting Bunny back from my friend as cheap as possible, and it isn’t looking good. For a moment I started considering having him find a new home for her out in California where she is and just adopting a new bun when I get back to the states. But then I logged onto here and started looking through discussions and all of the pictures of peoples bunnies and I remembered how much I love her! Bunny has an awesome personality, and even though she won’t cuddle, and I miss how she stopped flirting with me after I got her spayed, I still love her lots and she’s my friend. So I would definitely like to get her back!

My friend is out in Laguna Beach CA and I will be moving to Lafayette IN to attend Purdue, so I have quite a ways to move her. I have looked at  several different ways of going about things: flying out to CA and then driving her back to IN in a rental car, sneaking her on the train , having her fly as cargo, or not going to CA at all and having him ship her out here, again as cargo on the plane. I don’t really like to idea of her going as cargo on the plane. Aside from her comfort while actually on the plane, I am mostly worried about the way that the airline workers will handle her.

All of those options come to about $500 except for having her shipped on Delta, which is $260. I also googled pet transporters and there is one that physically transports the animals (doesn’t just transport them to and from the airport like many of them do) and I got a quick quote of $400 after a 15% military discount. 

I don’t like the idea of spending all of this money since once I leave here I am getting out of the military and will be unemployed… but I suppose it should also be tax deductible because it is a move because of changing jobs or a military move or something.

Anyway, I guess what I am getting at is any sort of advice anyone might have. Has anyone had experience using the pet transporters? Would you pay the extra $140, which I suppose is not that much but many people would find it ridiculous because she is a rabbit, to have them move your bun instead of shipping him or her?

[jerseygirl]

Oh, I remember your situation! I’m happy to hear you were able to keep your bunny and that you can also have her back with you.

From previous discussions here, I believe you can actually fly with a rabbit in the cabin with you. There is one or two arlines that allow this. Hopefully others who have done it will post more details.

My only other thought is getting her transported via the “bunderground railroad” of sorts. Sometimes rabbit rescues transport special needs rabbits interstate and for a fee they may take someones pet on board with them. This would take quite a bit of organising through various rescues though…

My best wishes for your own homecoming this December.

[Lionbunny]

I’ve checked quite a few airlines already and so far they either only allow dogs, cats and birds PERIOD or they will only allow rabbits as checked baggage. If, in fact, I can get her transported for me, it would end up cheaper than flying anyway, since I would have to pay about $200 for her to go on the plane, in addition to my own ticket. There may be some airlines that will let her in the cabin, but so far I haven’t found them or they aren’t ones that fly where I am going. I’ll have to do a little more research, but I have time.

The company that I am looking at using is this one: pro-pet-transports.com   Looking at their website they seem like a good option. I am still trying not to cringe at the money that it will cost. I am also trying to make this as little of a hassel for the person who is watching bun right now. So I don’t know if trying to get with a rescue group would be a good option or not.

[BinkyBunny]

Have you checked with Delta? I have heard that they accept rabbits in the cabin. Though I don’t know how recent that info I have is.

I understand the “cringing” at the pro pet price transport, especially during these hard economic times, but at the same time animals we take responsibility for depend on us. I feel that, especially with domesticated animals, we are their keeper and protector, so you do what you can. I don’t know the full price of the pet-pro-transports, but checking out the website seemed very promising. What a great resource to check out.

Keep us updated.

[lashkay]

I don’t know if this is helpful, but United I was told by United Cargo, will fly a rabbit for the price of a passenger’s ticket if you provide a decent transporting kennel and they handle animals with the utmost of care. I think they can provide a kennel for a fee if you prefer. Also the show rabbit breeder I’m getting my rabbit from told me a breeder friend who flies rabbits all the time on Frontier Airlines puts kids’ Pedialyte in the bunnies’ water and it makes the journey less stressful for the animal. I think on Frontier, you can bring a rabbit into the cabin also. Best wishes!

[Lionbunny]

I’ve checked US Airways: not allowed at all; American Airlines and their associates (american eagle, etc): not allowed at all; Delta: checked baggage only for $200 each way or shipped as cargo for $260; Southwest: not allowed at all; United: checked baggage only for $250, or shipped as cargo, price unknown. I’ll keep checking others and let you guys know what I find out.

[Lionbunny]

Posted By lashkay on 07/04/2010 03:47 AM
I don’t know if this is helpful, but United I was told by United Cargo, will fly a rabbit for the price of a passenger’s ticket if you provide a decent transporting kennel and they handle animals with the utmost of care. I think they can provide a kennel for a fee if you prefer. Also the show rabbit breeder I’m getting my rabbit from told me a breeder friend who flies rabbits all the time on Frontier Airlines puts kids’ Pedialyte in the bunnies’ water and it makes the journey less stressful for the animal. I think on Frontier, you can bring a rabbit into the cabin also. Best wishes!

I just checked Frontier and they DO allow the bun in the cabin for $75, and they aren’t an expensive airline either. They don’t have direct flights for what I need but it shouldn’t be too bad to have a layover if I can have bun with me instead of worrying about her getting left behind in the baggage compartment! I think I will see if I can book a roundtrip flight for myself but have my return flight be a few hours after I land in LA, have him meet me at the airport with bun and her stuff, and hop on a plane and take her home. Yay! I am getting so excited thinking about it   I will still keep the pet tranporter service in mind just in case.

On another note, I bet she doesn’t even know me anymore, though.    

 

[jerseygirl]

From previous threads,  Continental, Alaska and Southwest apparently let you fly with small pets in the cabin. There’s also PetAirways that just fly pets but I imagine that’d cost some $$$’s !! It’s also limited in destinations.

 

On another note, I bet she doesn’t even know me anymore, though.

It’s certainly going to take time for her to adjust to moving but she will. One thing is to learn from your friend what routines he has for her and stick with them. They like routine and this would help things go smoother. Your friend may even be using routines that you first established.

[Lionbunny]

I already checked southwest and they don’t, but I just checked continental and they allow pets on “select flights” for $125. Another option to keep in mind.

I don’t think he has much of a routine for her. He is stationed on a ship so he is gone alot and then his mom steps in and feeds her and such. He drove with her from Massachusetts out to LA when he took her and she seemed to do well from what he said, so I think the travel part will be okay.

[jerseygirl]

Are you checking via their websites? Most of the websites specify about dogs and cats for their pet policies. I believe you would have to ask specifically about rabbits.

[Lionbunny]

Yeah, just checking websites. We have to use calling cards out here and we can’t call toll-free numbers. I checked petairways and they fly from LA to Chicago and it would be about $300.

[lashkay]

I’m glad you’ve found something that works for you. Petchauffeur.com also flies bunnies and transports them from a pickup residence to the airport and back. Dave should probably give you his best price. Bun will get used to you again quickly, I’m sure after she’s been with you a while.
Good luck!

[Author]

Messages