Am I being unreasonable? Moving overseas with rats

[Terpsichore]

I will be unexpectedly moving back to the USA from Germany. I am originally from the USA and moved to Germany 5 years ago. I currently have 2 cats and 8 rats. While taking 2 cats with you when you move overseas is certainly not unheard of, I am pretty sure taking rats with you is almost unheard of.

There are no restrictions on bringing rodents into the USA. I am currently looking into pet relocation services. There is a local german service that has experience moving all manner of animals. They move not only pets, but animals for zoos etc. I will most likely be flying into IAD (Dulles Airport). Most likely I will be moving in October.

I have rats from the age of 9 -10 months to 1.5 -2 years old. I have 4 females and 4 males. My males are going into the vet on Wednesday for neutering. I plan to get my two younger girls spayed soon after. They are all currently in good health (knock on wood). I want to and am currently making plans for them to come with me.

What I am looking really looking for is some no punches pulled feedback. Am I being unreasonable because I do not want to part with my rats? Do you think my rats would be better off if I found them a new home? Am I totally crazy? My mind is all over the place about this move and I just really want to be able to keep my family together.

If anyone knows anyone that has any experience with rats being shipped by air, I would be extremely greatful to be put in contact with any such persons.

[ratjes]

I would try anything to take them with me but if it will be too stressful or risky I'd find them a good home. it seems like you have time on your side.
When we moved to Europe I sold my horse months before we actually moved but it was a good home so I let her go earlier than I wanted initially.

[jadeangel]

If it's approved by customs and a vet and you are able to bring them with you, you might want to try to bring them as your "carry-on" for the airplane. A small pet carrier should be able to slid under your seat, as I've seen lots of people travel with cats/small dogs this way

[Kinsey]

I tried to do this with Romeo when I went on a trip. Most planes only allow rats to be in the cargo hold, which is, needless to say, a terrible idea. They usually only allow birds, dogs, and cats.

[Terpsichore]

My parents are quite set on me, for whatever reason, taking United Airlines. My mother has offered to fly over and help / accompany me on the big day. United only allows cats and dogs in the passenger cabin. When pets are put in the cargo hold of a passenger plane, they are put in a pressurized and temperature controlled area (within 10 degrees of the cabin temperature). Not all planes have one of these areas.

One of the pet relocation services, that I am looking at, mentioned that it often very hard to get owners and pets on the same plane. There is limited space in the specialized cargo area and there are two slots available for pets in the passenger cabin. If I am not able to be on the same plane as my pets, a person from the pet relocation service will be escorting them through the process in the airport.

I am strongly considering sending my cats as excess baggage (when they are in the cargo area of the same plane you are on) or as cargo. One of my cats is very scared of strangers and also has a tendency to howl when in a situation he dislikes.

http://www.taconic.com/wmspage.cfm?parm1=296
Has anyone heard of these kinds of boxes before? They are used for the transportation of rodents meant for labs. I especially like the low visibility factor of the box.

[ratjes]

Is it possible to take one stop flight only? I'd be worried that they wouldn't make it on the same plane if you had to change flights.

[Terpsichore]

I will definitely be taking a direct flight. It is not only for the sake of my pets, but mine as well. Having a non-direct flight can be a total mess when it involves international travel, especially flying into the USA. I have tragic travel stories pouring out of my ears.

[ratjes]

I will definitely be taking a direct flight. It is not only for the sake of my pets, but mine as well. Having a non-direct flight can be a total mess when it involves international travel, especially flying into the USA. I have tragic travel stories pouring out of my ears.

I don't think that you can take them with in the cabin. I think I'd transport them in the pet cargo area. tip: sprinkle their food on their bedding for the duration of the flight including frozen blue berries for their fluids. Bowls and bottles can hurt them in their enclosures. Also give them some old stuff from their cage at home in their transport cage so they might feel more at ease.
Make sure you update us on their safe arrival in the US.
We have flown our dogs back and forth across the Atlantic and it went well.

[Kiko]

Also an important note, make SURE the carrier is chew proof! Last thing you need is to find out in a fit of panic your rats chewed out of the carrier and scurried into the cargo hold

[ratjes]

From what I learned is that the airlines require a metal inside cage. They have instructions on their website I believe.