Here’s the research I’ve already done:

He’s a snub nosed dog so he’s not allowed underneath the planes in cargo due to risk of death. But he’s freaking dense so he’s not allowed in most cabins because they have a 15 lb weight limit.

United Airlines seems to have a size limit for dogs in the cabin, but no weight limit. However, both on the website and the app, when I search for transatlantic flights, I get error messages.

I also researched some cargo pet transport companies but I’d be looking at $3k each direction.

Our starting city is San Diego and our destination is Formentera, Spain. But if we could find a way to transport him from San Diego to anywhere in Spain or France, we could go the rest of the way by train so that would work just fine.

  • superkret@feddit.org
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    1 month ago

    I also researched some cargo pet transport companies but I’d be looking at $3k each direction.

    Well, then that’s what it costs to transport your dog.
    It’s really a first world problem.

  • gravitas_deficiency@sh.itjust.works
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    1 month ago

    Have you looked into health regulations and quarantine considerations? I think that may be a factor with pets, regardless of whether or both they’re technically certified as a service dog in the US. At any rate, I would categorically NOT assume that it’ll be smooth sailing when it comes to customs and immigration. That, in fact, might be part of what that expensive transport service is offering.

    TL;DR: definitely look into the health/immigration/vaccination/quarantine considerations, because you might be in for an unpleasant surprise if you haven’t specifically prepared for it, as the EU is rather more bureaucratic about these things.

      • IHave69XiBucks@lemmygrad.ml
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        1 month ago

        Oh i just kinda assumed that since they wanna bring the dog and didnt mention vacation that they were moving permanently. You think its a vacation?

        • intensely_human@lemm.ee
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          1 month ago

          They mentioned a “starting city”.

          My advice for OP would be to treat the dog as if it’s someone they’re responsible for, and plan their life around the dog instead of the other way around.

          Whether it’s moving or vacation, the question of the dog should have been handled first, not last.

  • Blackout@fedia.io
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    1 month ago

    You are going to need a very big trebuchet, possibly the biggest ever. Watch out for fanatics.

  • BreadOven@lemmy.world
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    1 month ago

    Go down to the docks and charter a boat captained by some salty dog. Better if they have an eye patch and/or wooden peg leg. I foresee nothing going wrong with this option.

    But on a serious note, do look into bringing animals into other countries, oftentimes it’s difficult and requires paperwork and such.

    • SturgiesYrFase@lemmy.ml
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      1 month ago

      I immigrated to the UK from Canada with my cat. He was able to go below in the cargo area. I had to get him a few rounds of rabies vaccines, microchipped and a pet passport. Then the cost of his flight with mandatory insurance was about $300 more than my flight. He had an extra 4 hours before the plane departed, and 6 after. Some animals wouldn’t have had toooo hard a time with it, but he was traumatised. It took him more than a week to come out from behind the couch for longer than to use his litter box and eat.

      I’ll never be taking him out of the country again.

      • BreadOven@lemmy.world
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        1 month ago

        Aw, sorry he had a hard time acclimating. I’ve never done it personally, but I’ve heard from a couple friends it was a pain. But their accounts were pretty much the same. Shots, passport, and chip. Glad he’s all good now though.

        I don’t plan on moving to another country, but I would like to travel with my dog. I don’t think she’d do well on a plane either. I’m just not sure if I want to do multiple day drives with her (same country) or not.

        • SturgiesYrFase@lemmy.ml
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          1 month ago

          Yeah, I get that. For a domestic flight, a loooot of these complications just go away. That said, could still be extremely expensive. Likely significantly more expensive than taking a scenic multiple day drive that your dog will absolutely love hopping out in strange places and peeing to claim it as no dog has before!

  • xmunk@sh.itjust.works
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    1 month ago

    There are some pet friendly cruise ships that cross the Atlantic - it’d probably require taking a train across the US to get there though.

  • IHave69XiBucks@lemmygrad.ml
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    1 month ago

    Im guessing this is at the very least a long term (months rather than weeks) move and thats why you arent just putting the dog in a doggy hotel or with family. If thats the case while i dont have experience crossing oceans with animals i do know even to cross state lines you need lots of paperwork for your animal so make sure thats in order. As for getting there if you havent bought your plane tickets yet it might be worth looking at chartering a small private plane for the flight. If you take into account all the costs it may not be that much more expensive and youd be able to bring the dog with you on the plane probably. Good luck figuring it out.

    • Wolf314159@startrek.website
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      1 month ago

      Fact check: You only need proof of a rabies vaccine and a recent vet checkup in practically every state to transport a dog across state lines. Most states specifically exempt tourist’s dog that are temporary and stay on leash outside. Hawaii, being an island with a delicate ecosystem, is the only state to require a quarantine.

      • IHave69XiBucks@lemmygrad.ml
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        1 month ago

        What are you on about? When did i say anything about a quarantine i literally said you need paperwork and you just specified what paperwork you need? How is that a fact check?

        • Wolf314159@startrek.website
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          1 month ago

          You said something that sounded false, so I looked it up. You’d boardly misinterpreted and sensationalized the regulations about traveling with a dog across states lines so much that what you said was not true the way you said it. That’s a fact check.

          • IHave69XiBucks@lemmygrad.ml
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            1 month ago

            Wow. Im so sorry that my internet comment wasnt specific enough for you. Misinterpreted and sensationalized lol i said 1 sentence about it as an off hand comment to make sure they have all the paperwork they need.

    • IHave69XiBucks@lemmygrad.ml
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      1 month ago

      I doubt theyd just throw then in a box and slap a stamp on it lol. Its a specialized service probably thats why its so expensive. I bet they have a team of caretakers with the animals the whole way.