Preparation and costs<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhen Googling solutions for moving countries with a pet, the advice is a resounding chorus of specialist pet relocation agents. These companies, ranging from global brands to local one-man-bands, all promise a hassle-free solution, though for a significant fee. Prices quoted to me ranged from HK$30,000 to HK$50,000 \u2013 the price of business class ticket and more. Perhaps due to these fees, there are Facebook groups that charter private jets for shared dog transport \u2013 the divided cost working out around the same as a passenger seat plus the pet transporter services. After some more research, I was fairly confident I could arrange everything myself, and save a lot of money in the process. And I did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Booking your flight<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nTransporting pets by air generally falls into three main options: cargo, checked luggage and in-cabin. Most relocation agents suggest choosing cargo, as it often provides a more direct flight and is more easily tracked, though checked luggage is a lot cheaper \u2013 often just the price of an extra case. Having a small, and somewhat mature, dog, I was keen to keep him with me in the cabin for the journey if possible, so I looked into which flights allowed this. There are only a few airlines that allow pets in-cabin out of Hong Kong airport. Even airlines such as United, that promotes its pet travel globally, doesn\u2019t offer in-cabin travel from HKG. The website Bring Fido<\/a> is a great resource for checking what each airline allows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Pet](\"http:\/\/hongkongliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/map.jpg\")
Source: Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe best bet for my route from Hong Kong to Chicago was to fly with Air Canada via Toronto, as it offered a generous allowance for pet travel in the cabin, and all for the price of an extra bag. Only a certain number of pets are allowed on each flight, so bookings must be made over the phone to ensure there is space. The airline unusually allows pets in premium economy and business classes, subject to space, weight and bag size. Before you book, double check your dog is within the size limits, and will fit comfortably (can stand and turnaround) in the given bag size on the airline\u2019s website<\/a>. If you don\u2019t already own a suitable bag, make sure you do this well in advance, so the dog can get used to going in it.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPaper work<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe documents that are required to fly, and more importantly to enter your destination, vary from country to country. Travel to either the UK or Australia is more complex, while European destinations and North America is relatively easy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As Hong Kong is considered a rabies-free, or rabies-controlled region, quarantine is not needed when entering North America. However, proof is needed that the animal is licenced, microchipped, up to date with its rabies vaccine and has a full health check from a vet. The SPCA in Hong Kong offers a rabies titer test, which assesses the animal\u2019s immunity to rabies and though this wasn\u2019t on the requirements for the US, I chose to have it done, just in case. This takes four to six weeks to process, as the blood is sent to a lab in the UK for testing. The health check needs to be done within 10 days of travelling to be valid. Keep all these documents in a safe place, as you won\u2019t be allowed to travel without them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Checking in and security<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nOnce your ticket is booked and your documents are in order, the final challenge is the airport. Having never seen a dog at the airport before, I expected this to be a challenge but in fact the ground staff were very clued up on the whole procedure. They asked to see my dog\u2019s paperwork and placed him on the bag scales \u2013 the combined weight had to be less than 10kg, even though this isn\u2019t mentioned on their website. They then radioed ahead to security to let them know a dog was coming through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/br>\n\n\n\n![\"Pet](\"http:\/\/hongkongliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/plane.jpg\")
Source: Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nAt security I was told to keep the dog in the bag and the bag was given a manual check rather than put through the metal detector. Interestingly at security in Canada, they ask you to remove the dog from the bag and go through the metal detector with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dogs must remain in their bags in Hong Kong airport, which is perhaps why I hadn\u2019t spotted one before. And though you\u2019re unlikely to be welcomed into any restaurant or lounge with a dog, keeping it discreet I was able to find a table in the general area to have something to eat and drink.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On board<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe rules state that, like any baggage, the dog bag must remain under the seat in front during take-off and landing, and staff informed me that the dog must remain in the bag at all times during the flight, though the top could be opened if needed. Due to the legs of the seats, the bag naturally fits in a space between two seats rather than any one, so it\u2019s easier if travelling with someone. I was lucky \u2013 and perhaps this was planned by the airline \u2013 that I had an empty seat next to me, as to not disturb other passengers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Transporting pets by air generally falls into three main options: cargo, checked luggage and in-cabin. Most relocation agents suggest choosing cargo, as it often provides a more direct flight and is more easily tracked, though checked luggage is a lot cheaper \u2013 often just the price of an extra case. Having a small, and somewhat mature, dog, I was keen to keep him with me in the cabin for the journey if possible, so I looked into which flights allowed this. There are only a few airlines that allow pets in-cabin out of Hong Kong airport. Even airlines such as United, that promotes its pet travel globally, doesn\u2019t offer in-cabin travel from HKG. The website Bring Fido<\/a> is a great resource for checking what each airline allows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The best bet for my route from Hong Kong to Chicago was to fly with Air Canada via Toronto, as it offered a generous allowance for pet travel in the cabin, and all for the price of an extra bag. Only a certain number of pets are allowed on each flight, so bookings must be made over the phone to ensure there is space. The airline unusually allows pets in premium economy and business classes, subject to space, weight and bag size. Before you book, double check your dog is within the size limits, and will fit comfortably (can stand and turnaround) in the given bag size on the airline\u2019s website<\/a>. If you don\u2019t already own a suitable bag, make sure you do this well in advance, so the dog can get used to going in it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The documents that are required to fly, and more importantly to enter your destination, vary from country to country. Travel to either the UK or Australia is more complex, while European destinations and North America is relatively easy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As Hong Kong is considered a rabies-free, or rabies-controlled region, quarantine is not needed when entering North America. However, proof is needed that the animal is licenced, microchipped, up to date with its rabies vaccine and has a full health check from a vet. The SPCA in Hong Kong offers a rabies titer test, which assesses the animal\u2019s immunity to rabies and though this wasn\u2019t on the requirements for the US, I chose to have it done, just in case. This takes four to six weeks to process, as the blood is sent to a lab in the UK for testing. The health check needs to be done within 10 days of travelling to be valid. Keep all these documents in a safe place, as you won\u2019t be allowed to travel without them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once your ticket is booked and your documents are in order, the final challenge is the airport. Having never seen a dog at the airport before, I expected this to be a challenge but in fact the ground staff were very clued up on the whole procedure. They asked to see my dog\u2019s paperwork and placed him on the bag scales \u2013 the combined weight had to be less than 10kg, even though this isn\u2019t mentioned on their website. They then radioed ahead to security to let them know a dog was coming through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/br>\n\n\n\n At security I was told to keep the dog in the bag and the bag was given a manual check rather than put through the metal detector. Interestingly at security in Canada, they ask you to remove the dog from the bag and go through the metal detector with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dogs must remain in their bags in Hong Kong airport, which is perhaps why I hadn\u2019t spotted one before. And though you\u2019re unlikely to be welcomed into any restaurant or lounge with a dog, keeping it discreet I was able to find a table in the general area to have something to eat and drink.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The rules state that, like any baggage, the dog bag must remain under the seat in front during take-off and landing, and staff informed me that the dog must remain in the bag at all times during the flight, though the top could be opened if needed. Due to the legs of the seats, the bag naturally fits in a space between two seats rather than any one, so it\u2019s easier if travelling with someone. I was lucky \u2013 and perhaps this was planned by the airline \u2013 that I had an empty seat next to me, as to not disturb other passengers.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPaper work<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Checking in and security<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
On board<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Pet](\"http:\/\/hongkongliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/airport.jpg\")