Moving to St. Croix with a large dog

We moved down to stx July 1st. If your dog has to go in cargo it has to be less then 85 degrees at takeoff and when you land. I booked a really early flight from Miami to San Juan. Stayed overnight, and took a really early flight to stx. We were on cape air and they put the dog right in the cabin.

susan56, what tupe of dog did you fly and what size. I just got off the phone with a Cape Air rep that said i could only take a small to medium size kennel onboard. My dog would not fit in one of those. But, I'm sure it's all about who you talk to. Also when you say they put the dog right in the cabin was yours in a kennel or did they let it sit outside of a kennel? Thanks so much

Another option to check is http://www.airanimal.com. I think they are out of Tampa FL,. but apparently they make arrangements to and from anywhere...but haven't checked out prices.

When I fly I go the direct flight from Miami to STX. Dogs in cargo. No problems when the weather is cool.

Call seaborne...they will usually disassemble the kennel, put it in the plane and reassemble in the plane so the dog can fit. They are the most pet-firendly of all the PR tp STX airlines. They are very pet-friendly and will work hard to make things work for you.

This web page has a lot of different busnesses that move animals. Most are livestock, but some include pets in their section.
http://bluereinranch.com/PDFs/horse-brokers-international.pdf

Thanks for the advice on seaborne. That sounds promising. I've looked into a couple different "animal transport" companies and the problem is cost. Got a quote of about $4000 from one. Also in case someone else runs into this problem I spoke to Lauren at Air Propel. Who by the way is insanely helpful and friendly. She gave me a rough ballpark figure of $1000 from San Juan, PR to St. Croix. This would be a private jet, dog could sit right next to me. But also said they can put me on a list and try to get other people to share the plane with me to bring the cost down even more. Just really relieved to know I'll be able to get him there. I felt so discouraged after I learned Continental could get him all the way to STX.

Now I just need to find a place to live with a big dog and everything will be set.... 🙂

Where are you coming from? Did you ask Air Propel for a rate direct from your city? Maybe a better deal than flying commercial to SJU, then picking up the charter. Probably not, but worth asking.

If saving money is important, do you have family/friends who would keep your dog until November? The heat restriction is lifted then, and he can fly as baggage. Check on the breed though. Boxers may be on the "no-fly" list. Some breeds are, because of breathing issues.

Yeah, I have recently placed my two pugs in preparation for coming down soon. Only one year old, so sad, but they can't fly. I'd rather place them in a nice home here than risk them dying from the flight down. (sniff, boo hoo!)

I'm coming from Arizona so I didn't even bother to ask the cost of a private charter because I can only imagine it's going to be insane. November is totally an option for flying him out so that's a good idea too. We call him a boxer mix because he most closesly resembles a boxer, but he's really just a good ole big black mutt dog. I'm sure I could find a vet willing to put his breed down as something not on that "don't fly list". He's not snub nosed liked a boxer, so breathing wise he would do fine in the cargo area. I just feel horrible about doing that to him. Airlines really should just let you buy a seat for your dog. Especially really really well behaved one's like mine 🙂

Hi Jenny,
Was wondering if you were moving this August (2012)? I was just pulled off the waitlist for Barry (PA School) and now have to scramble to get everything set. I too have a large dog that will be coming with me (80 lb Pit-bull Mix). He is super sweet and dog friendly. Was wondering if you have had any luck with making reservations? - if you are looking for someone to charter a plane with? - or are looking for a dog-friendly roommate? etc. If you have any info to share, or would like to communicate about sharing costs please contact me. My dog and I will be in St Croix even if we have to swim there! PS I will be leaving from Tampa FL. - Shannon

Shannon, this post is a year old.

Be sure to check if the airlines are allowing animals to be shipped as due to the heat in summer they usually do not allow animals to fly air cargo at this time of year. If you can get to PR, check with seaborne seaplanes as I was allowed to take my 100 lb. plus dog from STT to PR for surgery. She has to be in a kennel and was put in cargo going over but coming back the flt. was fairly empty so Shadow got to be in the cabin. (in crate). At least she didn't howl the whole way back as she did on trip over! Very embarrassing! They were really wonderful about the whole thing and not having to land at the big PR airport was very nice.

Warning: Airlines do not like the Pit bulls so if a mix have your vet put whatever he is mixed with first and the pit part secondary.
Like: lab/pit mix instead of pit/lab mix. Gook luck!

Unless you are absolutely sure your dog is a pit bull mix (ie did you see the parents?) don't put pit bull down as a breed AT ALL. Certain airlines restrict them/ban them from flying. If you can get away with putting down another breed, do so!! And it definitely is a pit bull mix, then your flying options are limited. American bans them and United/Continental requires that you have a reinforced shipping crate. Check the airline websites.

Getting to PR in the summer is easy on United/Continental--heat restrictions DO NOT APPLY because the animals stay in a climate-controlled facility before being loaded onto the plane. All other airlines will have heat restrictions for checked pets.

Edited to say: a lot of people think their dogs are pit mixes and many dogs at shelters are labled pit mixes. Unless you have seen the parents, "a pit mix" may not necessarily be the right description. I thought one of my dogs could be part pit, because he has a large blocky head and big muscles. I got him DNA tested and turns out he is half catahoula leopard dog, 1/4 rottie and 1/4 rat terrier. Looking up the breed standards for the catahoula, his head fits the standards almost perfectly. The muscles are explained by the rottie. And the ridiculously short legs on a 60lb dog explained by the rat terrier. 😉 Yes, the DNA tests can be inaccurate, but it gives you a better idea than just looking at the dog and making assumptions.

Last I heard ALL pits even mixes were banned. Did that change? My son lives in another state and I wanted to pay to have him bring the dog last time he visited...we miss him. I couldn't get him a flight to save my soul.

Yes, the policy changed:

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-05-08/business/chi-united-lifts-ban-on-9-breeds-of-dog-20120508_1_pit-bull-terrier-american-staffordshire-terrier-breed-discrimination

http://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/travel/animals/restrictions.aspx

If you have a different breed listed on the health certificate (like lab mix), signed by a veterinarian, the airport is not going to question you. They base breed determination on the health certificate.

Pit Bulls is a classification of dogs, like Spitz. It's not an actual breed. American Bulldogs can't fly because their snouts are too shourt, along with other breeds that get lumped into the pitty group, like frenchies, boxers and a bunch of others that shouldn't. Staffies and Am Staffs that are Pits too, can fly just fine.

I don't think short snouts are the reason. My Persians fly and they have no nose. If the vet fills out an acclimation certificate it's no problem, the heat advisories still stand. Continental/United will fly any time because they do climate control. I don't know why other airlines won't take better care of pets.

I don't think short snouts are the reason. My Persians fly and they have no nose. If the vet fills out an acclimation certificate it's no problem, the heat advisories still stand. Continental/United will fly any time because they do climate control. I don't know why other airlines won't take better care of pets.

Snub nosed dogs and cats are banned by many airlines because of potential breathing issues so one can't generalize about the policies. Anyone traveling with a snub nosed breed should check for the latest updates from the specific airline.

You are right, I checked, however you can still fly the cats or even the dogs if you are going domestic and they are in the cabin with you. Of course this limits the size of the animal dramatically.