Families shocked as the cost of taking their pets overseas rises

Families moving overseas say they are shocked and devastated that they may have to leave their pets behind due to increased animal travel costs.

IAG Cargo, which handles pet transportation for some major airlines, will increase fares on some routes starting March 1.

For Sarah, a military family returning to the US from the UK, the cost of transporting her two small dogs, Ghost and Bentley, has jumped from £1,143 to £5,118.

IAG Cargo said the higher prices reflected the complexity of the service.

IAG Cargo, a sister company of British Airways, Aer Lingus and Vueling, is considered a key provider for the transportation of pets, especially between the US and the UK.

The price change applies to anyone using IAG Cargo to move animals on a specific route. This shipping company is often used by military personnel to take their pets overseas when they are transferred.

Sarah's military family plans to return to the United States after serving three years in a British military post. The Bentley and Ghost are scheduled to ship on British Airways on March 1st.

Under current policy, IAG Cargo only accepts pet transfer reservations up to six weeks before the flight, after which it will confirm that a space has been requested and “filled.”

Once a flight is scheduled on that route, approximately two weeks in advance, your reservation will be confirmed and your price will be locked in.

Sarah originally received a quote for the trip from London to Baltimore at £1,143 for her two dogs.

However, the price has now risen to £5,118, excluding administrative fees and fees to the agent used to arrange freight transport.

Sarah said her eyes filled with tears when she saw the email from her pet shipping company on Sunday with the latest prices.

“We're paying for this out of pocket. We just bought a house in a new place,” she said.

“Our dogs are like our children. We would do anything for them, but that doesn't mean it won't be devastating to our economy.”

Sarah's shipping agent found another airline that could transport her pet at a lower rate. However, it would take 7 hours round trip to pick her up from another airport.

She added that while her dog is a small breed, transport costs for other large pets can reach between £8,000 and £9,000.

“I already know many people who didn't take their pets with them. [to the UK] People will be shocked because it costs money to transport it one way. ”

Dean Faulkner, director of Silver Birch Pet Jets, helps military families in the US and UK relocate their pets for permanent station changes. He said some ticket prices had increased by as much as 400%.

He said many military families will be left in “confusion because they won't be able to see their funds.”

Faulkner said he heard about the price change Friday and had spent the past few days trying to comfort his family and find alternative routes.

“Often young families have young children and pets and will be given three months' notice if they are starting their lives over,” he says.

“It's a huge amount to organize, and within days or weeks of arriving, someone in your family could be sent to a conflict zone. Dogs and cats are very important and When your partner is fighting, you're a family member, and it's going to be a huge pain for them.

“It's highly emotional and detrimental to their health and well-being.”

Faulkner, who has been in the industry for 12 years, said such price increases were “unprecedented” and “came without warning.”

“Even during COVID-19, when planes were flying without passengers, prices did not increase that much,” he added.

Stephanie, a British national and military spouse, has ended her relationship and will soon return home from Florida with her children.

She said the cost to ship her dog, Toby, to London on IAG in June was originally $2,600, but after handling fees and carrier fees, the total cost was about $5,000 to $6,000.

Stephanie now fears that IAG Cargo's price hikes could leave her with a bill up to $20,000 “totally unaffordable,” which would leave her in debt. That's what it means.

“I have to think about leaving Toby. That would destroy my children. Some of us have dogs, some of us have families. The thought of leaving him behind. That's something I don't even want to think about,” she told the BBC.

“It's very difficult for people like me and people in the military who have to pick up and leave everything behind…keeping families together can become unattainable. ”

The BBC also received emails from families who said the price hike was “totally unacceptable” ahead of their military-ordered move to the US in April.

Another couple returning to the U.S. for a permanent relocation said the cost of transporting their 3-year-old cat would be “exorbitant” and add to the financial burden they already face.

They called on IAG Cargo to “reconsider” and “support military families.”

Maria Lyle, director of the Royal Air Force (RAF) Families Federation, said: “It appears to be a very difficult situation for families who are returning home for a short period of time with little notice of the changes.”

She said the charity would raise the issue with the British Embassy in Washington, as the Royal Air Force had hundreds of family members serving in the US.

IAG Cargo said it has reviewed its pet shipping charges across its global portfolio and has “adjusted the number of charges across multiple routes to better reflect the complexity and consideration associated with this product.” Ta.

A company spokesperson said: “We understand that pets are as important as family members, and professional services that provide safe and secure transportation of live animals are our priority.”

“We have made several price adjustments to reflect the complexity of this bespoke service and the cost of providing the best care for pets transported as cargo.”

They encouraged customers with questions about quotes to contact a sales representative.