Moving with an Amazon parrot

If you're planning a move in the next 2 months, we could share a pet charter from Florida. Not the cheapest solution but certainly less stressful for all involved.

I have prices - so please PM if you're interested.

Good morning! My family of 3 and our pets are beginning to plan our move to the V.I.. I'm wondering if anyone has moved with parrots recently and if so, how. The major airlines are saying they will gladly take my 4 indoor cats as carry on but not my parrot. She fits in a regular airline approved carrier. I'm looking for a solution that would NOT require her to be shipped as cargo. Cape Air has said my parrot can fly with me from San Juan but I'm not sure how to even get her to Puerto Rico without putting her in cargo. If anyone has any advice with this topic is greatly appreciate it.

I recall reading in incident not long ago, don't recall on this forum or may have been an article on another, where a similar bird was brought on board in the cabin. The bird started to let out some very loud shrieking squawks in the middle of the flight almost to the brink of being painful to some passengers. That may be the reason the airlines do not want them in the cabin on long flights.

Your Amazon parrot will be in good company with all our red tail boa constrictors!

Here's an article that talks about the process. Apparently United & Delta allow birds in the cabin, however American and Jet Blue do not. This was also the case when I moved here many years ago.

http://traveltips.usatoday.com/airlines-allow-animals-56311.html

You will need a health certificate dated within X days (maybe 10 or 14, not sure) of your travel with the bird. Here's a link to more information:

http://www.vifresh.com/vitnary.php

As websites (and many other things run by the VI government) aren't always maintained, it's best to call the office and get the correct information. Get the name and title of whoever you talk to and take notes of what they said. If you still don't believe them, call back again and speak with someone else who, hopefully, will give you the same info.

DPNR supposedly meets you at the airport to facilitate the "import" of your bird, but they didn't show when we brought our birds some 8 years ago.

Safe travels with your feathered friend.

Believe you may need a permit to bring a parrot to VI from Dept. Of Agriculture.
Check with Ag. Vet, Dr. Bethany Bradford.
Tel. 340 778 0997 ext. 241
340 778 0998

Health Certificate for all pets need to be issued within 10 days of departure

You need zip ties for kennels, carriers, cages to be put on after they're checked out at Customs on all 4 corners of door.
They make you take pets out of carriers to do inspection.

Better check again with the cats too. It’s ONE animal PER PERSON. How will you get 4 cats and a bird (if it’s even allowed) with 3 people?

Have also heard you need permit from adept of At. As Alana mentioned. Not confirmed though.

Thank you all for your input. I should have added that we are flying our parents down to stay the first week to help us unpack. That's how we're taking 4 cats on the plane. I know I need a Department of Agriculture certificate for my bird, Pebbles, and that all cats need a certificate of health printed within 10 days of departure. This is the beginning phases of planning the move. Our intended move date isn't until mid to late 2019. That said, I believe extensive planning is critical for a successful, less stressful move. Delta has said my parrot cannot be in the cabin..... Must ship as cargo.

When we visited in April 2017 (our first ever vacation at 37 years old!!) something happened to all 3 of us....... We fell deeply and completely in love with the Islands. We stayed 4.5 weeks and visited all 3 islands. We found a place where we "fit". Perhaps I can't describe it well or perhaps some of you who have made the move from the mainland know what I'm talking about. We wake up and go to bed missing the Islands fiercely.

We've got about a year, maybe 18 months before the move. I'm just trying to get everything figured out well in advance. I sincerely appreciate everyone's feedback and advise.

If your parrot must fly cargo, don't plan your move during summer months as no commercial airlines will fly any pets due to heat restrictions.

Good luck with the planning and eventual move.