Great news for all our feline-loving friends out there: if you’re moving to the U.S., your cat(s) can come too! Here’s a quick breakdown of what you need to know.
CBC Requirements
The U.S. Centre for Disease Control (CDC) doesn’t have many requirements for importing cats, except that they should appear healthy when they arrive.
Your cats will be inspected at the airport (or however you enter the country) and may be denied entry into the United States if there’s evidence that they are sick. Alternatively, if a cat looks ill, you may to pay for a licensed vet to examine them before they’re allowed to enter the U.S.
The airline you’re flying with may also ask for a health certificate from your vet stating your pet is healthy and fit to fly. This has to be completed within 10 days of the flight.
Does my cat need to be vaccinated?
Again, the CDC doesn’t have any official requirements, but it does recommend that your cat is vaccinated, so its best practice to have this done.
Are there any state-specific requirements?
All cats arriving in the state of Hawaii and the territory of Guam, even from the U.S. mainland, are subject to locally imposed quarantine requirements.
Keep an eye on the CDC’s updates and information. The CDC may change requirements if they become aware of a disease outbreak or other health issue, so make sure you check before travelling.
Can I Bring My Cat in the Cabin With Me?
When flying directly from the UK to the USA, the answer will generally no. But always check first with the airline you’re flying with! For example, KLM, Air France, and Air Canada have more pet-friendly policies.
KLM‘s website says:
There’s limited space for pets in our aircraft; the number of pets we can bring depends on the type of aircraft, destination, and operating airline. Availability may also vary based on your specific flight route. Please make a reservation for your pet as soon as possible after booking your flight. Make the reservation no later than 48 hours before the departure of your flight.
Note that your pet should travel on the same flight as you and should be at least 15 weeks old.
You can bring 1 cat or dog with you in the cabin when travelling in Economy Class, or when travelling in Business Class within Europe. Your pet should fit in a closed pet travel bag or kennel with a maximum of 46 x 28 x 24 cm because they’ll need to travel underneath the seat in front of you. Together with your pet, the travel bag or kennel can weigh no more than 8 kg. You’re not allowed to take your pet out of the kennel during the flight, so please make sure they’re small enough to move comfortably.
You cannot bring a pet in the cabin if you fly Premium Comfort Class or Business Class on an intercontinental route. In these travel classes, it’s not possible to put a kennel underneath the seat in front of you.
Make a reservation for your pet travelling in the cabin as soon as possible after booking your flight.
Air France are also cool with it, subject to certain conditions:
Permitted animals You can travel with a dog or cat weighing up to 8 kg /17.64 lb. (including the carrier) if you have received prior authorization from customer service. Your pet must be at least 15 weeks old and be up-to-date on their vaccines. Your pet must be at least 8 weeks old for flights within Metropolitan France (including Corsica) and between Metropolitan France and Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Reunion Island.
Long-haul flights in the Business cabin Air France does not accept pets in the Business cabin for long-haul flights. To ensure its safety, your dog or cat must travel in the hold. Please note that snub-nosed animals are not allowed in the hold.
Traveling with snub-nosed animals in the cabin Snub-nosed animals such as Pug, Bulldog, Boxer, Pekingese, or Shih Tzu dogs, as well as Persian cats, can experience breathing difficulties. We recommend asking your veterinarian for advice before planning air travel for your pet.
Finally, here is Air Canada’s policy:
You’re welcome to bring your cat or small dog in the cabin with you provided it is small enough to stand, turn around and lie down in its carrier under the seat in front of you.
Just make sure to let us know in advance, as space is sometimes limited. See the ‘What else do I need to know’ section (at right) for details.
And a reminder that your pet cannot travel with you in the cabin if you:
Are an unaccompanied minor
Are seated in an exit or bulkhead row
Require the use of a medical device that needs to be stowed underneath the seat
Are travelling in our Premium Economy cabin, as the layout of Premium Economy seats does not allow for the safe stowage of a pet carrier.
Who Can Help Me?
Our wonderful partners at Jets4Pets can assist you and your furry friend as you undertake your transatlantic journey. Here, they cover some Frequently Asked Questions about taking your pet to America:
Can our pets travel from our local airport?
Yes, pets can be transported out of most UK airports depending on flights available, however if you are travelling under the Pets Passport Scheme then currently only Heathrow, Gatwick, Bristol, Doncaster and Manchester can handle your return journey.
Where will my pet be placed in the aircraft during the flight?
Your pet will travel in the animal hold, below the passenger deck. The hold is pressurised and heated and remains unlit throughout the flight. This generally encourages the animals to sleep, meaning a relaxing journey.
When will my pet be fed and watered?
All the carriers are fitted with water containers. These will be refilled during any transit stops. Animals are not fed immediately prior to, or during travel, in order to avoid them soiling the carrier, as this would obviously cause discomfort to your pet.
Will my pet have enough space in the carrier?
Yes. A good pet relocation company like Jets4Pets will supply a carrier that is suitable for your pet, measured specifically to ensure that it will be big enough for your pet to stand, lie and turn around in comfort. Extra space is not recommended as it can be expensive, but more importantly can cause injury to your animal during possible periods of turbulence.
Will my pet be stressed from the flight?
Your pet will be pleased to see you and will probably enjoy a good meal at the end of their flight, but most animals travel very well and relax throughout the flight. More than a million pets fly safely world-wide every year, the captain will know animals are on board and will act accordingly in line with recommended procedures.
Will my pet be tranquillised before it travels?
In line with Defra and advice from vets, tranquillising your animal before the flight is usually strongly discouraged. Due to the change of air pressure in the pressurised hold there is a risk of adverse drug reactions and breathing difficulties. Airlines may refuse to transport sedated animals as they cannot judge their state of health.
What is the difference between ‘Excess Baggage’ and ‘Air Cargo’?
When you travel with your pet and you both check in at the passenger terminal, this is termed ‘excess baggage,’ however your pet will still travel in the animal hold. Air Cargo can be used when you travel with your pet or if your pet is travelling without you. Your pet will be checked in through the cargo terminal at your departing airport and the cargo terminals of modern day airports are used to handling and caring for animals. Some even have specialist animal holding rooms.
Are there any circumstances when animals cannot fly?
Yes. If a vet or duty manager at a handling centre is concerned about your pet it will be checked and may be held back from travel. This is for the welfare of your pet. Restrictions can also be imposed due to seasonal temperatures in the USA, again this is for the welfare of your animal, as extremes of heat or cold are not good for your pet.
How soon will my pet be allowed off the aircraft?
While you fight with the hordes of passengers to find your bags and duty free from the overhead lockers, your pet will already be off the flight. The ground teams at the arrival airport will know that animals are on the flight and they will be the priority to be removed from the aircraft. So there’s nothing to worry about!
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