Does anyone have experience moving a cat from the US to France? She is old and much loved. Is there a service that could get her there more quickly than our 20 hour travel time? We have a house in Chenerailles. I could leave her behind with family, but at 18 she is used to a pampered lifestyle. And of course I would miss her.
How are you travelling? I have no experience of moving from US but when we moved our 3 cats were in a quite big cage in the back of our Berlingo van. That was from about 6pm one day to 3 or 4pm the next. The two boys weren’t particularly happy but soon got over the trip. Our female cat was perfectly happy eating, drinking, toiletting. We left food and water in with them and replaced it with a litter tray during regular stops. Our cats were 6 and 10 years old at the time. Good luck.
Our belongings will come by slow boat and possibly my husband too (he wants to anyway). I will fly. If she were younger I would bring her with me, but that is a long time in a carrier for an old lady (cat). She would have to be sedated, also a long time to be sedated.
Come with the cat by cruise and land? There is at least one US site that does clearance prices for cruises at very good rates.
Especially at 18 years old I would not be very trusting of airline handling of a cat crate.
1 Like
I don’t trust the airlines either.
Friends took 18 yo cat back to NZ by air with no problems. And she lived for 3 more happy years. Cost rather a lot as I seem to recall she travelled with them in a container, and they bought her a seat.
2 Likes
Thank you, that’s actually good to know!
Sweet to hear. Wonder what happens if someone on the plane has a cat allergy? Nicer than risking the aircraft hold though, too many stories over the years about animal crates placed in unpressurised hold, lost for days or weeks or forever at airports, etc.
They can thole it and poss take an antihistamine. Far too much pandering to people with things like allergies to cats etc. they aren’t going to be rubbing it on their face so they should be ok.
1 Like
Well Vero you’ve said the same as what I think.
But I think some airlines either refuse animals carriage in the cabin completely anyway, and others might actually overreact and not allow the cat.
Presumably a cat allergy is the same as a peanut allergy? On Easyjet in particular I can remember a number of flights had a tannoy announcement “please do not eat any peanuts and we won’t be serving any because we have someone with a peanut allergy on board”.
PS I am now eating Dakatine peanut butter thanks to your recommendation 
1 Like
Not many airlines allow cats in the cabin. Air France does, which is how we brought out 6 year old Odin from the UK to Toulouse by air.
1 Like
I think I will check with Air France, I prefer traveling by Air France anyway.
Yes, they flew Air France I believe.
We brought our 10 yr old cat in the cabin with us from Bangkok to Paris by Air France. That was a 12 hour flight, followed by 6 hour drive. She coped fine in the soft cat carrier required by the airline. Cost was around $200 if I remember correctly. Incidentally our 3 large dogs travelled in the hold ( special heated and pressurised section for animals) as excess baggage on the same flight with no problems. This way they were with us at check in and picked up at baggage reclaim. Air France were excellent throughout.
Last century I came back to Paris from Syria with my cat and her 5 small kittens in one basket with Air France and they didn’t even charge me.
1 Like
I have had a lot of experience with animals and Air France, all good.
Wow, Thank you! This really gives me some hope! I am starting to think this is doable!
We have an elderly 15yr old Rescue cat that was brought from the USA to France then dumped by her owners because they went touring and the cat was to much trouble. Very strange as they brought her from the states. However they flew with her in the cabin so it can be done.
The main thing is that you find a vet that has European chips. The box for shipment has to be big enough, that she can turnaround and stand up. Animals that are flying fall asleep at high altitude and get awoken by giving them water. KLM and Air France are very good in moving animals with adequate vet stations upon arrival.
Another factor you might want to consider the stress of the new environment and food on an old animal.
You may know of it already. Zooplus is an excellent online animal foodstuff website with a wide range of reputable brands.
,Animalerie en ligne : nourriture, accessoires | Zooplus