Moving to STT

There is no charter boat service from Florida to the VI.

Large dogs present a problem during the heat of summer months.
Airlines won't allow to go cargo and a charter boat will take a much longer voyage to get here and present its own issues with 2 large dogs..

Your best bet is a charter flight which is expensive unless you can find others with the same need to share expenses.

Check this link.

https://www.vimovingcenter.com/talk/read.php?4,265117
Best to private message the poster.

Good luck.

Don't think Scubamom is still coming but maybe 2nd poster still has an interest.
If not a private flight, then you won't be able to transport the dogs until October and temperatures drop. They can't be more than 85 degrees on tarmac, I believe.

I cannot imagine a boat trip here from FLA that would suit your needs - do you have a good idea of the distance involved? maybe look into a cruise ship if they would allow dogs.

You may find this link helpful:

https://www.vimovingcenter.com/pets/

Your two large dogs won't be allowed to travel on any commercial airline in August because of heat issues so your options are very limited. If worse comes to worst, leave the dogs with friends or family and then arrange to go back and pick them up when the embargoes are lifted come the cooler months. If you have snub-nosed breeds, check regulations for year-round travel. Good luck.

Check these links:

https://www.bing.com/search?pc=AMAZ&form=AMAZWB&q=charter+flights+for+pets

I checked into this at one time when I was looking at transporting two birds and cages down. But the charter flight was going to run about $10,000.00 for the 2 of us and the two birds. Now, if we found others who were willing to split the charter with us, the cost would have been cheaper on our end. But, the cheapest it would have been no matter how many people we would have gotten would have been like $2500.00 for the two of us plus the two birds. Transporting dogs on commercial flights aren't nearly as big a problem as trying to find a commercial airline that will allow birds either in the cabin or in cargo. Delta Pet First was the ONLY airline that I found that would allow both birds as carry on's with one pet per-person.

You might also have a problem with very large dogs like close 100 pounds each or over, some if not airlines have tightened their restrictions on the size limit of the dog even in cargo.

One last thing, remember what you have to pay to get the dogs to the Islands because when you leave and odds are you will because the average stays are about 2-5 years, you will have to bare that same expense again. This is why there is such a feral animal problem on the Islands, people bring their pets and when they get ready to leave it's usually with little to no money left so they leave the animal on the beaches to where ever to fend for themselves. That is why I like to try and get people to realize what they are up against BEFORE transporting animals to the Islands. I'm not saying you would do something like this, but has been done and will continue to be done.

mike

This is why there is such a feral animal problem on the Islands, people bring their pets and when they get ready to leave it's usually with little to no money left so they leave the animal on the beaches to where ever to fend for themselves. That is why I like to try and get people to realize what they are up against BEFORE transporting animals to the Islands. I'm not saying you would do something like this, but has been done and will continue to be done.

mike

It's extremely rare for people who take the time and spend the money bringing their pets to the islands to leave them behind running free when they leave. The most common is the younger person who comes here on a shoestring and then decides to adopt a pet while here and then when deciding to leave realizes the expense involved in getting them back to the mainland.

It's heartbreaking to see "free to good home" ads from people leaving island who for whatever reason can't or won't take their pets with them, while of course dumping them is even worse. Anybody moving here shouldn't adopt any animal unless they plan to take when and if they leave. But again, those who bring their pets with them are the very least likely to abandon them when leaving.

I might add that the St. Thomas Humane Society is filled to overflowing and couldn't accept any more pets when I was there over the weekend.
They also have some small puppies that need to go stateside and can fly in cabin.
They're also in need of funds to continue with their Pets with Wings program that relocates these animals stateside.

If you can help transport them, please contact Reah or Lisa 340-775-0599

Thanks Mike (& everyone), this is definitely a 1 way move for our family including the dogs. We will continue to explore options and hopefully find someone to share a private flight with.

Good luck to you and the pups.
Some charter flights may be able to help find a shared charter.

I know the charter gave me like a two month window to find additional people to help split the fees with. They also will help out as well. I hope when you arrive and get settled that the Island life is everything you hoped it would be. For some, it's paradise and for others it becomes a trap. But then again, it's like living any where else.

mike

For some, it's paradise and for others it becomes a trap.

mike

Neither to me - just home. 😀 Not like living anywhere else, either.