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Life has dealt a new hand of cards to Shadow and I. No details, except we are in the process of returning to USA after long time in China.
Fortunately, I have located a Pet Relocation company to manage all the numerous details.
Vets, microchip, vaccination records, Govt Vet, health checks, time limits...….. Export out of China, Import and Export for Hong Kong, Import to USA. Pet container training. Coordination with airline to secure space for Shadow and me on the same flight. The list is extensive and detailed. One of the more complex hurdles is the Customs for Pets between the China/Hong Kong border. They open at 9 am, requires 1 hour to process......if lucky. Airline requires pet and owner to arrive 3 hours before international flight. Plane with pet accommodations departs at 11:30 am. uggh…… So, Shadow will leave a day before me to get through Customs then overnight in a kennel. Then to the airport to meet me for check in with another 24+ hours in the pet container. International flights are restricted on the number of pets they carry and the pets must travel as cargo, only Service animals in cabin. BTW, ESA animals ride in cargo. So, Shadow's ticket is based on his and the container weight. Estimate is $550 USD. I won't say about the Pet Relo costs......lets just say the service price is not for the faint of heart.
Once we arrive, then its US Customs and Immigration...…. after clearing that we have a 5+ hour car ride from Chicago to Central Iowa in December weather.
Today, Shadow is visiting the Govt approved Vet for final health check. He begins his journey on 12/19. I leave China at 5:15 am on 12/20. We board the plane on 12/20 for the flight from Hong Kong to Chicago. Jet lag is a real bummer to adjust a 14 hour time shift.
There is a silver lining to all these hurdles. We will be home for Christmas. First time in my 6 year stay in China.
International travel with a pet can be very detailed, expensive with a million "gotchas" that can pop up anytime to suck off more money. It is possible to travel with your pet. But, it is not as simple as sticking the dog in a soft bag and poking it under the seat in front of you.
Fortunately, I have located a Pet Relocation company to manage all the numerous details.
Vets, microchip, vaccination records, Govt Vet, health checks, time limits...….. Export out of China, Import and Export for Hong Kong, Import to USA. Pet container training. Coordination with airline to secure space for Shadow and me on the same flight. The list is extensive and detailed. One of the more complex hurdles is the Customs for Pets between the China/Hong Kong border. They open at 9 am, requires 1 hour to process......if lucky. Airline requires pet and owner to arrive 3 hours before international flight. Plane with pet accommodations departs at 11:30 am. uggh…… So, Shadow will leave a day before me to get through Customs then overnight in a kennel. Then to the airport to meet me for check in with another 24+ hours in the pet container. International flights are restricted on the number of pets they carry and the pets must travel as cargo, only Service animals in cabin. BTW, ESA animals ride in cargo. So, Shadow's ticket is based on his and the container weight. Estimate is $550 USD. I won't say about the Pet Relo costs......lets just say the service price is not for the faint of heart.
Once we arrive, then its US Customs and Immigration...…. after clearing that we have a 5+ hour car ride from Chicago to Central Iowa in December weather.
Today, Shadow is visiting the Govt approved Vet for final health check. He begins his journey on 12/19. I leave China at 5:15 am on 12/20. We board the plane on 12/20 for the flight from Hong Kong to Chicago. Jet lag is a real bummer to adjust a 14 hour time shift.
There is a silver lining to all these hurdles. We will be home for Christmas. First time in my 6 year stay in China.
International travel with a pet can be very detailed, expensive with a million "gotchas" that can pop up anytime to suck off more money. It is possible to travel with your pet. But, it is not as simple as sticking the dog in a soft bag and poking it under the seat in front of you.