Hub and I are making a BIG decision

I think I've mentioned before about how my Hub is in the army. We were calculating his time in and his reenlistment will be coming up while he is overseas in Iraq. Anyway... with the circumstances he can pretty much ask to be sent to a specific post as a term of reenlistment. So.... we were thinking about going to GERMANY!!! This wouldn't happen for about 2 years but it will be here before we know it. I've already had Meish 6 months... time really does fly.

My worry is bringing Meishka on that long flight? Has anyone else done a long trip with their cat? Honestly that is my biggest worry about going over there. If it is difficult to take a cat overseas I will be more than happy staying in Ft. Campbell. Would she have to go with cargo? I would NEVER do that to her.

Any americans lived in Germany? Anyone on the board from Germany? I would love to chat about life over there. Feel free to PM me on board or message me on yahoo. My sn there is Ali012281.

Tricia if I remember well is from Germany...
Hope you can make a good decision.. Good Luck

And Fwan!

I'm not 100% but i think they do go in the cargo

Okay... if she is in the cargo for such a long trip do we take her to vet to be sedated? What about food, water... where will she poo and pee???

I've never traveled with her or any animal. Sorry if these are silly questions.

I'm sure the vet can sedate them?!. Theres a programme on here in the UK called "Airport" showing you the day to day things that go on in a busy airport, and sometimes when people have pets to go in the cargo such as dogs the animal department check to make sure the crate is large enough for them to move around in etc...

Your vet will help you along with the airports though.

Originally Posted by Ali012281

Okay... if she is in the cargo for such a long trip do we take her to vet to be sedated? What about food, water... where will she poo and pee???

I've never traveled with her or any animal. Sorry if these are silly questions.

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ABSOLUTELY nope is silly questions beth, , in fact I want see the responses, nobody are wisdom.

Beth, I cannot advise you on traveling with Mishka b/c I have never flown with a cat. However, as far as finding out about a PCS to Germany, go see your deployment person at Ft. Campbell's ACS (Army Community Service) building. They have videos and all sorts of information that you can look at before you and hubby decide on a PCS. Good luck with your decision

Thanks UGA. You'd think with all the community service I do here I'd have know about the videos!! I'll talk to the vet on post too. Hopefully they have some information that I can take. I know I'm planning way in advance but Hub will be leaving in a few months and it will be difficult to talk to him about this stuff while he is away. So yeah... planning 2 years in advance is a bit much but it will be easier in the long run lol.

Its exciting to think about too. Hub did 3 years in Germany already. He loved it over there but he was single back then.

Are you active in your unit's FRG? Other spouses may be able to offer some great advice as well

I haven't attended an FRG metting yet but my husband is supposed to find out the date of the next meeting for me. THe commanders wife has my number so I'm expecting a call from her sometime. A lot of people that I have met all enjoyed their tours in Germany. I have no doubt that I will love it. It will be an adventure for us. We'll be able to hop on a train and see some of Europe. My ideal dream would be being stationed in Italy. But I'd be just as happy being able to go there on a one week vacation. My biggest concern is my cat. I treat her like a real kid. lol

ALSO- since Germany is a Rabies free country, your cat would have to be UTD on shots and also have to have her blood tested for the antirabies thing and have to rate at a certain level or the cat cannot travel.. after thant she'd have to be quarantined, I think..

Hey.. here's a table of what you need to bring cats into different countries.

http://www.ramblincat.com/destinations.html

Destination: Germany
Rabies Shot:>30 days and <12 months
Health Certificate:<10 days
Quarantine: None
Import Permit: No If traveling from USA, health certificate needs USDA stamp
Notes: See additional details about the European Union requirements.
Verified: July 2004


Sweden is more strict than germany, I think..

Hey thanks. Its reassuring to know that she won't need quarantine when she gets there... of course she will be in kennel until we'd find a home. She hates cages too. I'll mark the site to show hubby.

Originally Posted by turtlecat

ALSO- since Germany is a Rabies free country, your cat would have to be UTD on shots and also have to have her blood tested for the antirabies thing and have to rate at a certain level or the cat cannot travel.. after thant she'd have to be quarantined, I think..

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I hate to contradict you, Denise, but Germany most definitely isn't rabies-free. As a matter of fact, they're culling foxes and martyns right now in my area because of a few cases of rabies.
It's been a long time since I came here with a dog and a cat, and the laws have changed. Also, many airlines are now refusing to transport pets, or require them to travel in the cargo hold. It's impossible to give information that'll still apply in two years. I do know that certain shots are required, as is microchipping and an "EU pet passport". There's no quarantine in Germany.
I would suggest asking for information at your base, the nearest German Consulate (which will supply you with the necessary forms your vet will have to complete), and the airlines.
The regulations that apply now won't necessarily apply in two years due to the harmonization of EU members' laws, and airport security.

Here's a current link: http://www.germany-info.org/relaunch...uirements.html

This last post is right. But you can go online to the EU website and find all hte regulations about bringing pets in. Rabies shots and a certificate from a vet saying the shots have taken (needs bloodwork a month after the shots) are the most important things. I have never airlifted a cat but the last two transatlantic flights I have taken (one last August) both had people with cats in the cabin. I was sitting next to one lady with her cat who said she did it regularly, sedating the cat. It didn't make a sound between LA and London. This was on United.

From what I've gathered, some airlines allow pets up to 5 kilograms (just under 12 lbs,) in the cabin as carry-on luggage, but restrict the number per plane to 3. You have to make arrangements far in advance, and get to the airport 2 to 3 hours before the flight. The pets cannot be let out of their carriers during the flight, so they have to eat and eliminate in their carriers. You'll need a water bottle and absorbent pads. Some airlines won't transport pets during very hot or cold weather, so spring and fall are the best times to travel. Try for a non-stop flight. Nowadays, security checks include pet carriers, so your cat should be wearing a harness, and you should have a leash with you. Insist that the carrier be inspected in a closed room. If your cat has to travel as cargo, raise a ruckus until he/she is unloaded and in your hands. We moved to Germany from the U.S. with a cat (traveled with my husband as hand luggage) and a dog (traveled with me as cargo, as he was rather large). The cat was okay, although he "sang" during the flight, but the dog was very disturbed by all the rigamarole. It might be best if you and your husband could travel separately, meaning somebody goes ahead and has everything ready for your cat's arrival. If you have questions about Germany, PM me - I've spent over half my life here, and speak German.

yeah ask tricia.
She is actually closer to the US army base.
Where as im closer to the British army base.
My german is very good just to get around but as tricia has lived here for a much longer period than i have and has married a german its better to ask her
But ey! if you ever need some shopping discounts or plan to meet up i will be more than pleased to

Good luck with the decision Beth!

We have lived in Germany, my husband is in the Army and we have taken our dogs and cats back and forth before. They didnt require them being quarantined, but you have to have a health certificate and rabies certificate and that was it for us. They had to travel in the cargo section and I was a nervous wreck, but they did fine. What I did do was make sure that the door to the carrier was secured with some kind of tie, so it wouldnt accidentally be opened, someone would have to untie it to get them out, for me it was just a fear that the door would come open some how and they would get out.
We brought home from Germany last time we lived there a dog and 3 cats. I remember when we got to the last little commuter plane going from Atlanta to Alabama the bags had gotten there to be loaded and the animals hadn't when we had to walk out and board the plane, so I stood there and made absolutely sure all mine were on the plane before I got on, I know they thought I was a crazy woman.

Sorry Tricia, you're right (of course) I think I assumed Germany was, as Sweden is (when we were thinking about moving to sweden, we looked that all up, and I was under the impression that most EU countries were "rabies free" which i'm not sure if it's possible, but I know that if the tests don't read a certain rabies antibody level in sweden, they don't allow them in the country. Thanks for clarification