We have been successfully using THS for three years for sits in our home. Are there any sitters that have ever helped in escorting a pet via an international flight for the pet parents? Or others that might be interested in giving it a try? It could work like this: Pet parents provide the sitter a round-trip ticket from the U.S. to the destination (in the current case, France). The departure date and airport would be set, but the return would be at the sitter’s discretion. We’re only trying to get the pet there. The pet (small dog) is able to travel in-cabin under the seat, and pet parents are at the destination airport to take over.
Yes, there are some details to work out, so this is more about feasibility. And if there is a technique to actually post a request like this, we would be interested in hearing about it.
Do you mean where the sitter would do that for free in exchange for a flight? That would be incredibly complicated.
A sitter couldn’t be sure all the essential requirements were done within the time frames that they are supposed, like certificates/rabies/microchipped etc.
A normal sitter would be completely unaware of what the current documentation looked like too, or whether they were given correct and accurate information.
So they could make plans, just to end up with a potentially costly problem trying to deal with what happens when 1 document is incorrect.
It’s fine to do it as a business, but there’s already businesses out there offering it. But to do it in exchange for a potential free flight in the hope that all documents/jabs are correct doesn’t sound like a fair exchange.
Sorry, there should have been more info addressing these important points. The pet already has a euro-zone passport (having made this trip previously - no other documentation required) and would be handed off to the sitter at the departure airport, in carrier, ready to go. And yes, the flight is paid for and has a specified return, which the sitter can decide upon in advance. So there is an option for a short or long term stay before returning home.
Unfortunately there are not many businesses that do this (we’ve looked) and they all tend to ship as cargo. We’d much rather have the pet in the care of a Trusted Housesitter. But I agree, it is not for everybody.
I think that sounds like an interesting situation. Really this forum is a great place to maybe find someone interested. I’m sure details could easily be worked out. We aren’t going to Europe this next year, otherwise we would be interested! Sounds like it could be a win, win for someone!
Sorry if this a dumb question, but if the pet parent has to buy a round trip ticket anyway, why wouldn’t they go pick up the dog themselves?
It’s a long flight and if it were me I would have a lot of questions. Is it an adult dog or a puppy? Is it trained to wear diapers or go on pee pads (it’s a long flight from the US to France)? Will the dog’s medical/vaccination records be available? Is the dog vocal and likely to cause a disruption on the plane? Has the dog flown before? Probably many more but those are just to start with.
I’m sure you would find someone to take you up on this offer but I don’t think there is a way to post for this on THS. Unless the pet parents post based on their location in France for 1 night and state in the listing that sitter needs to fly from the US with the dog and pet parents pay for the round trip flight.
Also a quick Google search says a Euro zone pet passport is for travel with Europe only. From the US to France requires an EU health certificate completed by a USDA registered veterinarian along with other documents (rabies, microchip, etc).
We have something similar in Türkiye for our adopted street dogs. It tends to be shuttles between there and the UK (sometimes mainland Europe) and the charity KAPSA organises it all and then volunteers take on the trips. We deliver the dogs to their new owners homes in person. If it wasn’t the USA we’d be interested but there must be people willing to help you. Can a friend not do it? #totallypossible
I think there are plenty who would do this. My friend travels with her pet, under or near the seat, she travels first class. Though if traveling economy, some of the seating is so cramped now, there would have to be room for the pet.
Are you only paying for a one way flight? If you wanted a sitter, maybe you could post a sit for a night on the US end. I think if you offered a RT open ended ticket, many could do it, since they could book a sit in the destination cities at each end. I would do it if the timing worked. That is the issue with sitters, timing, location. Anything is possible.
I am interested in accompanying this small dog from the U.S. to France. I am originally from France, have both French and U.S. passports, and travel frequently between France and Southern California, where I live. I have been a THS member for 10 years, successfully completed 250 pet and house sits worldwide in the last 11 years, through THS and other platforms.
If I understand correctly, you, “aivset”, are trying to get the small dog from the U.S. to his pet parents in France, the dog is able to travel in-cabin under the seat, and pet parents are at the destination airport to take over.
I do have some questions:
Where in the U.S. is the departure airport?
Where in France is the destination airport?
When is the departure date?
You mentioned the pet parents are in France and this particular dog has flown between the U.S. and France before. How old is this dog? Are the pet parents related to you?
My name is linked to my THS profile, so you can contact me directly if you wish.
A longer search would show that the USDA method is used if a EU pet passport is not in hand. And these must be obtained through a European vet, so at least one trip must be made via USDA. After that, the passport allows entry from most countries (incl U.S.) into any Schengen area country (which is most of the EU).
Yes, these are all legitimate questions that are part of the “details” mentioned above to discuss with any sitter willing to give it serious consideration.
As mentioned in the original post, pet parent provides the RT ticket to sitter. The departure airport and date are set, the return date is up to the sitter, and can even be structured to return to a different U.S. airport.
BTW, while travelling business or first domestically with a pet is generally o.k. (depending on size or weight), we know of no airline that allows this on international flights due to the lie-down configuration of business and 1st class seats. The exception is La Compagnie, but they have a strict 7.5 kg limit for pet and carrier (limiting one to a 13-14 pound pet).
In the past, we have flown with our pet in a carrier that does fit under an economy seat, so we know it can be done.
