Moving Dog to St Thomas

You can't ship dogs during the summer, starting in May, generally, thru the end of October due to the heat/temperature in cargo. No airlines will accept unless they're small and will fit in cabin and then they limit how many they'll accept on any given flight.

I empathize with your predicament but not fair, indeed to others with actual needs to try to "work the system."

I would imagine to have your dog certified as an emotional support dog you'd have to have a doctor's or psychologist's certified proof of such a need and the paperwork to prove it. Not to mention the paperwork the dog would necessitate.
No idea what all is involved but I'd imagine it's not simple or everyone would do so. Me...I'd need at least 3 support dogs!;-)

You may not be moving your dog to the VI in July so you might wish to make backup plans accordingly.

Perhaps you can get reduced rates with private planes that transport pets by sharing the high costs amongst a group of people that are in the same boat...er,
plane?

All I can say is good luck, I agree with Alana, the odds of you transporting a 70 pound animal in July is nill to none unless you bite the bullet and go with a charter service. But you could be looking at $5000.00 and up for this. I'm not going to rag on you about working the system because I love dogs and I would just about move heaven and earth to be able to bring my dog with me if I were indeed moving to the Islands. But getting the dog on the Island may not be your main problem, but finding a rental that will allow such a large dog could be a hurdle as well. But good luck with what ever you choose to do.

mike

I'm totally against anyone bucking the ESA system for the sake of convenience but you'll find the information you're looking for here:

https://www.certapet.com/emotional-support-animal-laws/

You must not have planned the move very well if being unable to ship your dog in the summer has come as a surprise. You could leave the dog with friends and go back for him when the weather cools down; or one of you could make the trip first (find accommodation, etc. and get settled in) with the other coming with the dog later. I know several people who've taken the latter route.

Good luck.

I disagree. The airlines make it IMPOSSIBLE to bring your (large) pet along and for some of us they are our kids. Its not only months - it's size and breed now too. They've gotten really strict. I think its just because they don't want the liability/hassle. You bet your butt I would work any system that would prohibit me having my pets. Period.

I know of a handful of friends that have done this and "worked the system" as its called. I have no problem with it. Most of them were actually rescues from STT taking back to the states. Pit Bulls to be exact. What I DO have a problem with is the airlines that wont allow an animal to have its own seat - which often times means the owners dumping or surrendering their animals. Especially when moving back to the states. Which reminds me - make sure you have enough money to get you AND your dog back if things don't work out here. They often don't.

If you are flexible in your dates then move them but if you're like us and here on a contract then I would do what you need to do to make sure your pet stays safe and with you. My .02

No. Just . . . . no. It's people who work the system who are making travel for those who really need them difficult. They need to jump through more hoops to prove they are legit. And while airlines must accommodate service and companion dogs, they can still limit how many dogs can be on a flight, for safety purposes. So you may end up bumping a legitimate dog and its owner off of their scheduled flight. People who really need these dogs with them are disadvantaged enough, without people gaming the system that was set up specifically for them.

As for doing it because the airlines make it tough not to, that's something that should have been considered when deciding to move to a hot, tropical island. I love my dog to pieces, and how to get her to the island was one of the first things we considered when making our final decision to move. Airlines, as businesses, have to take into consideration costs and liability. And too many dogs were dying from heat and pressure issues before they got strict on their temperature limitations and breed restrictions.

another thing to consider, if the animal is not a true service animal, it might behave accordingly-meaning it might bite, jump, lick etc others who dont want or need that type of interaction with an animal.

No airline has to take an emotional support dog.

They arent listed as a service animal under ADA. Not saying that you cant show your ass and the airline wont fold like a cheap suit and let you board with your "Service" animal

That being said, Its pathetic that a law that was set up to help those with disabilities function and integrate into society vice being locked away is being abused by people with the mentality that its "All about me and what I want".

No airline has to take an emotional support dog..

That's incorrect. With proper documentation and advance notice they do:
http://www.pettravel.com/passports_comfort_animals.cfm

And I know you love arguing with me for the sake of arguing, but here's the fact

From ADA.Gov

Q3. Are emotional support, therapy, comfort, or companion animals considered service animals under the ADA?

A. No. These terms are used to describe animals that provide comfort just by being with a person. Because they have not been trained to perform a specific job or task, they do not qualify as service animals under the ADA. However, some State or local governments have laws that allow people to take emotional support animals into public places. You may check with your State and local government agencies to find out about these laws.

Now again if you want to show your ass, you can get around it but the law is quite clear that emotional support animals are not service animals

You own link notes airlines may and that its case by case.

Legally theres a world of difference between Must and May

And I know you love arguing with me for the sake of arguing, but here's the fact

From ADA.Gov

Q3. Are emotional support, therapy, comfort, or companion animals considered service animals under the ADA?

A. No. These terms are used to describe animals that provide comfort just by being with a person. Because they have not been trained to perform a specific job or task, they do not qualify as service animals under the ADA. However, some State or local governments have laws that allow people to take emotional support animals into public places. You may check with your State and local government agencies to find out about these laws.

Now again if you want to show your ass, you can get around it but the law is quite clear that emotional support animals are not service animals

You own link notes airlines may and that its case by case.

Legally theres a world of difference between Must and May

It's true that companion and therapy dogs are not service dogs. But the airlines have their own set of rules under FAA regulations that are slightly different than the ADA rules. Companion dogs, flying under such terms as "emotional support" dogs are approved with a current letter from a licensed psychiatric professional. This rule has been in effect since the '90's. Therapy dogs, are generally not covered, as they are not trained to assist/comfort a specific person.

Exactly. If the protesting poster would even take the time to read before jumping ...

Come on people, stop flaming the poor poster rather than sympathizing with them. They asked not to be flamed because of the thought of doing what they said was a viable option although not the RIGHT one. They didn't say they were going to do it!

mike

Mike, they've been politely (in most cases) given the information they're seeking. Some are merely suggesting that better planning would have eliminated the problem and, even at that, they do have options other than bucking the system. Forums are for discussion - but it's a shame that a very few have no idea how to disagree without resorting to rudeness and personal attacks.

Agreed, I guess some times when banging on a key board versus face to face, it loses a little bit in translation and comes across a bit harsher than intended. I've been guilty of this myself a time or three.:-o

mike

Mike, they've been politely (in most cases) given the information they're seeking. Some are merely suggesting that better planning would have eliminated the problem and, even at that, they do have options other than bucking the system. Forums are for discussion - but it's a shame that a very few have no idea how to disagree without resorting to rudeness and personal attacks.

Call the kettle black much?

I remember not so long ago you "resorting" to telling me that I should be on RX meds when I got a little heated about a certain topic. Look in the mirror OT.

an emotional support animal and service are two different things but with an emotional support animal the airline will take them with proper documentation.
Please do not buck the system and get your dog certified under false pretenses. The abuse of it is what causes more airlines to be strict. check the American and United website for their restrictions on checked animals. Delta is stopping accepting animals as checked baggage. Yes I am an airline employee.

Curious stxsailor, can one person travel with multiple animals?
I haven't yet looked into that.

I will be facing this dilemma next year as will need to travel solo with my 80 lb. Lab, 50 lb. Island mix and a 12 lb. Chihuahua/Jack Russell mix. I'm hoping I can carry her on since she's so small and the other 2 go cargo STT/Orlando.

I know I'll have to travel in April or wait until October/November when temps drop.
It would be so much easier to travel in May as my sister and brother in law head to FL at that time but then I may not be able to transport the ones that need to go in cargo.

Curious stxsailor, can one person travel with multiple animals?
I haven't yet looked into that.

I believe you have to contact whichever airline you plan to travel on as each has different policies and they change frequently. I know some mandate only one pet per person while others are more flexible.

Come on people, stop flaming the poor poster rather than sympathizing with them. They asked not to be flamed because of the thought of doing what they said was a viable option although not the RIGHT one. They didn't say they were going to do it!

mike

I didn't mean to come across as unsympathetic. I am. I know it's a bear getting large dogs to and from the islands. But to me, it may have well have said "I'm thinking of breaking FAA regulations and putting one over on the airlines, by abusing a system put in place to accommodate the handicapped, even though I know it's wrong, because I just realized it might be outrageously expensive to bring my dog here legally, Has anyone successfully found a disreputable shrink to write a bogus medical letter?"

Hence my reaction. Sorry, I know too many people who have pulled this stunt, and think it's a selfish and despicable practice that sticks it in the faces of those who really need the accommodations.

AandA, could not agree with you more.

Call the kettle black much?

I remember not so long ago you "resorting" to telling me that I should be on RX meds when I got a little heated about a certain topic. Look in the mirror OT.

I have absolutely no doubt at all that the tongue in cheek quip was in response to something you posted in the wee hours when you got a little carried away. "Tongue in cheek" being key.

an emotional support animal and service are two different things but with an emotional support animal the airline will take them with proper documentation.
Please do not buck the system and get your dog certified under false pretenses. The abuse of it is what causes more airlines to be strict. check the American and United website for their restrictions on checked animals. Delta is stopping accepting animals as checked baggage. Yes I am an airline employee.

WOW, this is really a shame, because Delta was one of the only airlines left that was pretty good about accepting animals on their airlines even if being in Florida I would have to fly up to either Atlanta or Charlotte to fly to St. Thomas with an animal.

mike

All airlines have different rules but if you say you are going STT to Orlando i am assuming Jet Blue, not sure of their rules. Many airlines do the one dog per passenger rule. check each airline website. I was fairly lenient on check dog fees leaving the island (especially shelter dogs) but I got in a bit of hot water so i had to stop.

Thanks. I'll have to check Jet Blue, Spirit and American Airline policies.
Fingers crossed.