Relocating...getting our dog to St. John

Have you called all the airlines?
Will they not take him at all or just during the summer heat restriction months?

It is more difficult to find rentals (especially STJ) that take pets.

There is a private company that will allow pets to fly inside cabin but at a higher cost.
Can't recall the link but possibly someone else can and post it for you.
Meantime, check out this link: https://www.vimovingcenter.com/pets/

and you can search for other dog relocating post that have come up on this board up at top of page

Have you actually come here yet to see what island living is all about and what job opportunities there would be here for you?

Your dog is going to be a BIG issue and the only option you have is a private charter flight which will cost a lot of money. Sorry not to be of more help.

Alana - commercial airlines just won't take the sub nose breeds any more.

Unless you have jobs lined up on the Island, quitting two jobs to move to a place with out jobs lined up in this economy is FOOL HARDY at best. People who have a job shouldn't give up that job unless there is reasons why other than because you get itchy feet. The job market on any of the islands are mostly seasonal, meaning you may find a short term job, but after that you may be unemployed for quite some time.

So lets see, do you have moving expenses like $10,000.00 in cash set aside? And not to mention an emergency fund of $1500.00 minimum to get you both back home if it doesn't turn out the way you want? What are you planning to do for transportation, do you own a car outright to have shipped down, most finance companies will not allow a vehicle to leave the States until it's paid off. If not then you will require a car, which can run $5000.00 for a hooptie to $8,000.00-$10.000.00 for a decent vehicle. If you ship a car to the islands, it's a minimum of $2500.00 just to ship your car.

You will need first last and security deposits for your rent, utilities, cable.

I don't want to throw a wet blanket on your enthusiasm here, but someone needs to get you to realize what's involved BEFORE you quit your jobs. Call the Suzy Ormond show and ask what she thinks about your decision. hahahahahaha

Have you actually come here yet to see what island living is all about and what job opportunities there would be here for you?

Your dog is going to be a BIG issue and the only option you have is a private charter flight which will cost a lot of money. Sorry not to be of more help.

Alana - commercial airlines just won't take the sub nose breeds any more.

I did not realize that! That is really sad for pet owners of these breeds.
Private charters are so much more expensive.

I just googled: check out the links on this page:

https://www.google.com/search?q=pet+flight+charters+to+the+Virgin+islands&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-Address&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7

http://airpropel.com/pet-propel/

My husband and I trying to decide if quitting our jobs and moving to the islands is a good idea. So far, we think YES! Our only issue is our dog (bulldog/beagle mix). We think he will be fine once we get there, inside dog, on flea/tick/heart worm meds. And I know he isn't welcome in restaurants or on the beach, which is ok. However, how do we get him there?? All the airlines I have check won't take snub-nosed dogs (bulldog or any mix). Help! We want to come so bad, but can't leave him behind. :S

As far as your dog goes, good luck finding a place that allows pets much less dogs. I have two birds and finding a place that would allow them isn't an easy task. But, if you can find a place that allows dogs, the only thing I can think of to get your pooch to the islands is by private party airlines. There is a company that is based in Miami I believe that will take you and your pet. But it's expensive and can run as much as $5000.00 for you and your pet. But if you want it for that price, you must be flexible like a month or so because they try and get up to 10 people and animals on each plane, which will minimize the cost to each passenger.

Also, are you planning to make a trip to the islands to find your dream home? Landlords usually will not even consider renting to anyone who hasn't seen the rental first hand before hand.

Thank Alana, Airpropel was the company I was referring to.

A very good friend had Airpropel lined up to bring her pets and herself from STT to Florida a few weeks ago. There was a mechanical issue with the plane in Florida and the flight was re-scheduled until the next day. Long story short.... My friend had to board her pets and get a hotel room because the plane still couldn't fly for two additional days.

My friend found another charter but Airpropel would not refund her deposit or paid ticket. They told her that as soon as the plane was repaired, the trip would begin. Needless to say, she was angry and will be battling it out with Airpropel to get a refund. Airpropel is not a charter plane company, but rather a booker for charter flights for people with pets.

This isn't all the details but I would stay away from Airpropel at all costs!

A very good friend had Airpropel lined up to bring her pets and herself from STT to Florida a few weeks ago. There was a mechanical issue with the plane in Florida and the flight was re-scheduled until the next day. Long story short.... My friend had to board her pets and get a hotel room because the plane still couldn't fly for two additional days.

My friend found another charter but Airpropel would not refund her deposit or paid ticket. They told her that as soon as the plane was repaired, the trip would begin. Needless to say, she was angry and will be battling it out with Airpropel to get a refund. Airpropel is not a charter plane company, but rather a booker for charter flights for people with pets.

This isn't all the details but I would stay away from Airpropel at all costs!

I know they told me when I conversed with them about going from Florida to STT with my wife and I and our two birds, they wanted at least a month notice ahead of time and could go at any time during that month with only a few days notice depending on how many others have booked during that same time. Like I said, our schedule had to be flexible with a 30 day window of opportunity and even longer if we wanted the cost to be less.

Yes, it's inconvenient, yes it can be quite pricey for sure. But it all comes down to how badly do you want to move to the Islands and how badly you want your dog to come along. If this is your only option due to the type of dog you have, you may not have an option. But just realize that the fewer passengers on a charter or private flight, the more your tickets will cost. I know for the 4 of us which included our two birds was going to cost about $5000.00 IF at least 10 passengers were splitting the cost of the flight. If you want to fly at your convenience, then the cost could run $10,000.00 plus if they don't have enough time to book other passengers.

Also, when it comes to flying and the airlines says my flight is delayed for mechanical reasons. I say take all the time you need and then some. I'm in no particular hurry to die. If I have to board my birds, get a room or just sit in the airport lobby for a couple of days. It's all good. My wife always tells me I'm to worried about flying and says "if it's your time to go it's your time to go". I say not necessarily, it could be the guys time to go who is sitting next to me and the rest of us are just going along to keep him company. hhahahahahaha.

We had a similar situation with moving our puggle (pug/beagle mix) dogs to St Croix, as all of the major airlines refused to transport them (baggage or cargo) as they are considered snub-nosed breeds, regardless of weather or seasonal restrictions. However, because they actually have a longer nose, much like a beagle and less like a pug, our vet was comfortable with them flying and wrote on the health certificate and all accompanying paperwork (ie vaccination records) that their breed was beagle mix. So, talk to your vet. If they don't look entirely snub-nosed and brachycephalic, then perhaps your vet is comfortable with them flying and will use something like beagle mix as their breed on their health certificate.

Check the weather and time of year restrictions on all of the airlines too. I believe there are summer restrictions for travel when it is likely hot and also whenever it is 85F or above. When flew our dogs down when we moved in March so the weather wasn't too hot yet. Incidentally, we flew our dogs Delta Cargo (on separate cargo only flights separate from our passenger flights) to Tampa, and then with us but via checked baggage via American Airlines from Tampa onto Miami and then St. Croix, and they made it here fine. We were worried that it would be a lengthy process for them to pass through inspection upon their arrival in St. Croix, but they arrived in the baggage claim area well before our baggage. And to be honest, I don't think anyone even looked at their health certificate or vaccination record. I hope that was helpful.

Oh and one last thing. Check your state website for any rabies quarantine in your current county. We found out when we took our dogs for their health inspection three days prior to leaving for St. Croix, that their was a rabies quarantine in our county that had gone into effect about 6 weeks earlier and was due to expire in 2 more weeks. That being said, even after our vet pleaded our case with the head Vet from the Dept of Agriculture that our dogs were up to date with rabbies vaccinations and in no way exhibiting any signs of rabies, that they were unable to fly until the quarantine was lifted. Long story short, we had to board them for 2 weeks, which is why they did not travel with us at first and why we had them sent Delta Cargo. Lastly, I cannot say enough about how well the folks at Delta Cargo handled our dogs and the myriad of questions we had prior to their departure. They did any excellent job and I would certainly fly our dogs with them again.

By the way, and I speak from my experience here on St. Croix and not St. John, there are plenty of rental places that will take pets, although you probably won't have your pick. Your best bet is with renting a house verus a condo or apartment.

And it is possible to have a rental secured without inspecting it or being on island. We did just that without even setting foot on the island and viewing the property. Of course, we had assistance from the rental property services of St. Croix Coldwell Banker, as they were helpful in finding us an ideally located and pet friendly house to rent. They also have a concierge service, so our WAPA (utility service) was even turned on the day prior to our arrival. So despite what others say, with some hard work and perserverance, these things can be accomplished.

Also please keep in mind, although an inside dog, how will the dog do inside without a/c ?

I live on STJ and it is next to impossible to find long term rental on STJ with whole house a/c (actually I have never heard of any) and if you can the electric bill will be in the thousands per month and for most long term rentals on STJ that are "affordable" they won't have any at all - even in the bedrooms

Pia