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Throw Money from the Plane, or: Bringing a Pet East o' the Border
Got too much money? Try bringing your pet overseas. Ask me how I did it. Well, actually, a friend and I. And an army of vets, gubmint officials, and taxi drivers, all now a bit richer.
To bring a cat to Germany from the U.S., first, you must obtain... aSHRUBBERY a microchip. This will run you $50. Oh yes, and if you would like to know what the REST of the rules are, that will be an additional $7, please. Plus shipping, handling, and applicable taxes.
Thus beginneth the Pet Passport paper-trail.
My friend in the U.S. took Cricket to get theshrubbery microchip installed at the same time she had her required immunisations (at least 30 days before travel): $129. On Delta Airlines, travelling with a pet (in a regulation carry-on1 container, $39.99) is an additional $150 -- the cheap option. Good thing little Cricket in her regulation carry-on container fit under the seat, because if she'd been a baby elephant, it would have meant saving her a special place in Cargo ($575), in a hardshell container ($24.99 - $149.99). Woo, gold-plated!
The Pet Passport rules said I needed a final certification of health for Cricket within 10 days of flying back, meaning another vet visit ($129) in a taxi ($12). There, the vet advised me cheerfully that I'd also have to make a special trip to the USDA at the airport to get the Final Stamp of Approval ($34, no cash, credit cards or money orders only. Office closes at 3pm M-F). Next door at the pet shop I bought the regulation container, a small packet of cat food, and some Children's Benadryl in case of on-board wowling ($69 total).
Walked the three miles back from the vet's with both cat carriers, credit card steaming like an overheated Ford Pinto.
( Fast-forward to flight day... )
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1Not "carrion," of course, which belongs in Cargo. [back]
informativeTo bring a cat to Germany from the U.S., first, you must obtain... a
Thus beginneth the Pet Passport paper-trail.
My friend in the U.S. took Cricket to get the
The Pet Passport rules said I needed a final certification of health for Cricket within 10 days of flying back, meaning another vet visit ($129) in a taxi ($12). There, the vet advised me cheerfully that I'd also have to make a special trip to the USDA at the airport to get the Final Stamp of Approval ($34, no cash, credit cards or money orders only. Office closes at 3pm M-F). Next door at the pet shop I bought the regulation container, a small packet of cat food, and some Children's Benadryl in case of on-board wowling ($69 total).
Walked the three miles back from the vet's with both cat carriers, credit card steaming like an overheated Ford Pinto.
( Fast-forward to flight day... )
___________________
1Not "carrion," of course, which belongs in Cargo. [back]