Step-by-Step guide on how I got my Dog from Bangalore, India to Chicago, US.

All below information is based on my experience and my knowledge. I would have loved to see a post like this when I was struggling to find all the information I needed to fly with my pet, Ginger. I had 3 weeks to figure everything out and I was able to do it successfully.

Our quick facts:

• Ginger & I flew: Lufthansa from Bangalore to Chicago with layover at Frankfurt
• Date of Travel: September 2013
• My Pet : 3 year old Basset-Beagle Mix weighing 20 kgs

So you're moving International. Congratulations! It's exciting! 

Wondering what you are going to do with your pet? There is no reason you should be leaving your pet behind. Yes, they can travel with you & it’s not a difficult process at all.

If travelling with your pet is not an option/choice for you, Pet Relocation Services are available. I was quoted INR 200,000 for end-to-end relocation service. Two people I got in touch with:

1. Anvis Inc India (Anand.Vishwanath@anvisinc.com)

2. http://www.furryflyers.com/

Here's a step-by-step guide for anyone intending to travel international with their pet travel, based purely on my experience:

1. Call the Airlines and let them know you intend to travel with your pet. 

If you are lucky to get a knowledgeable airline customer care personnel, you can skip this and Step 2. If not, then on this call you want to check for airline's breed restrictions, costs, pet cargo availability on the dates you want to and rules and regulations per airline. Take a couple of dates from the customer care personnel based on your travel plans to work on.

Lufthansa - Transporting Animals

Lufthansa reservation Number: 1800-102-5838

(I spoke with a very knowledgeable and helpful personnel. Yaay!)

Lufthansa Bangalore Airport Number: 08066784050/70

(The lady I spoke with here had no clue about the process!)                  

Below are 3 categories I had to choose from:

·   Category 1: Pet weighing under 8 kgs can be carried with you in the cabin

·   Category 2: Fits in a medium crate size: 100x65x75cms (Costs $210)

·   Category 3: Fits in a large crate size: 135x75x85cms (Costs $420)

Ginger passed the breed restriction test. If you've got a pug or any such short-nosed breed, you might face trouble here. In a medium crate, Ginger would have been just perfect – but leaving her with not much room to move around. So we went with large crate option.  I had not bought the crate yet.  But I measured Ginger from nose-to-tail and figured this out. 

2. Get your ticket updated with 'Pet in cargo compartment: confirmed.'

Updated e-ticket

     Once ready to book, call customer service once again to ensure pet cargo availability. Book your tickets and share your ticket details with the airlines so they can reserve appropriate pet cargo spot on your ticket. You do not have to pay for your pet at the time of booking your ticket. You pay $420/$210 on the day of your travel. You should receive updated ticket with ‘Change of reservation’ and it should say: Pet in cargo compartment: confirmed

Lufthansa Rep told me all you need on the day of departure is Vaccination records and Export Permit (I have covered this in Step 3). 

My route was Bangalore-Frankfurt-Chicago. Availability was not an issue on Bangalore-Frankfurt route. But Frankfurt-Bangalore has just one pet cargo space available. I was told that Frankfurt airport has very good service for pets. And that Ginger will be taken out of the crate and given some water and food before boarding the next 9 hour flight to Chicago.

 3. Your Pet's Travel Documents : Vaccination Records & Export Permit.

We got Ginger microchipped at CUPA. The vet also gave us a health certificate that said Ginger was OK to travel. For the Export Permit, you will need to get in touch with 'Animal Quarantine & Certification Services' at the 'Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries' to get ‘Certificate of Health’.

Don’t worry about the really long name. This is just another government office :)

In Bangalore, they are located at: BIAL, Alpha-3, Devanahalli.

(Block before Departure/Arrival)

I got the Quarantine Officer’s direct number from our vet at CUPA, RT Nagar. We called the officer and were asked to come and collect the certificate. We went in to visit them a day before my travel with all of Ginger's vaccination records and the letter from the vet. 2 hours later and some payment, we received the Export Certificate. This was easy. I did not take Ginger to this office. I was very happy that they helped so quickly as I had less than 24 hours to board my flight.

Export permit - Front

Export permit - back

    

4. Getting a Crate

You’ll need an IATA certified crate for international travel. We measured Ginger from nose to end-of-tail. Medium was just about right so we decided to get the Large crate.  I called a few Pet shops and found one that had what I needed. This shop is located in Church Street – on the same lane as Indian Coffee House. There were 2 options available – China-make and International branded ones. China ones were available for INR12000-13000 while a certified one was INR 23000-24000. I also checked Quikr for some second-hand travel crate. But couldn't find any available at that time. But yes, there were a few expired listings.
Whichever model you decide, just make sure your pet is comfortable inside – such that he can sit/stand/curl up, provides ample ventilation and has sturdy and secure gate/lock.

Ginger in her crate

We purchased the certified crate.  I wasn't willing to risk putting Ginger in the Chinese crate. Though they looked OK, we bought Crate from an Italian Pet accessory maker Ferplast. This was the only brand available in the store. And just one Large crate.  

So, you're all set to hop on that flight. I was moving, so I had my family, lots of cartons packed and ready for movers and packers and people visiting. The first thing I did after buying the crate was set-it up next to her spot. It was a task to get her in! My 5-year old nephew went in and out and played with her. We tricked Ginger with some treats initially.. but it did take some time for her. I'm guessing they need atleast 2-3 days to get comfortable with their new crate.

On the day of travel, ensure your pet is fed well 4 hours before his flight and is exhausted.

4. Arrive at the Airport with atleast 1 hour dedicated for your pet's formalities.

Bangalore Airport

We arrived at Bangalore Airport and while my family watched over Ginger and my luggage, I headed to Lufthansa counter. I asked for help with my luggage as I was travelling alone. I got a card with a number I needed to call for help with luggage and they are allowed to come inside the airport. They're your airport coolies :).  I did not know that airports had this facility too! But so glad they do now.

After my heart-warming goodbyes to my family, I went straight to luggage screening section behind the ticketing counter. I was asked to take Ginger out of her crate and she and the crate were screened separately. And, with a lot of patience, I answered a lot of  curious questions while this was happening. After screening, we put her back in, locked the gate and put 'LIVE ANIMAL' sticker on top.  This is where you will be seeing your dog the last time in India. So I gave her a light hug and let her know I'll be with her soon and gave her favorite treat. From here, I checked in my bags and got my boarding pass. Here I was directed to go and pay up for Ginger. I went straight to pay her travel fees ($420/$210) at Lufthansa counter that has one side open to the public and not the one that issues boarding passes. I swiped my credit card and they attached her details on my boarding pass. Then the regular immigration, security check, boarding etc.

5. Check about you Pet Enroute

We were halfway there! I had to change flights in Frankfurt. I have heard about luggage being left behind. So while I boarded the flight, I asked the attendant who checked my boarding pass about Ginger. I wanted to know how she was doing, if she ate something and if she has been moved to this flight. And, thanks to my window seat on the right side. I could see Ginger, and two more dogs waiting to be moved in, out from my window.  I was Delighted and Relieved. They loaded all the luggage first and then at last placed the crates. The update I had asked took sometime but before the flight took off I got all my answers. She was OK. 

6. At the destination airport

Jet-lagged Ginger

I got through immigration, took my baggage and came out. And I saw Ginger's crate. Happy would be an understatement. I did not take her out, as I did not have her leash handy! An official came out and asked for her vaccination records.  That's all! I was ready with all her documents as if it were my interview :) Letter from her vet, export certificate (so that she isn't deported !!), all her vaccination records. I gave her the export certificate, she only looked at the back side and said, great 'You're all good to go!' 

We drove home, she ran, sniffed away to glory, and had a feast. Both of us had some jet lag for a week. But she was absolutely fine.

                   Ginger playing with her new friend China at a Dog Park. She loves it!                                

Ginger's first pain & scare free nail clipping at Petco