Re-locating Options??

[SunnyD23]

So, we are relocating to NY in September, from WA State. It’s about a 4.5/5 hours plane ride. I know moving can be extremely stressful on rabbits but at the same time I don’t have any place for him to go here except for an animal shelter… I’d hate to give him away, so I’m wondering if any one on here had relocated their bun, and if they did– how, and what was the outcome? I read something about someone sedating their rabbit for 5 days, and that’s entirely extreme, but I’m wondering if maybe I could ask the vet for some ‘calming medicine’ so he’s able to go on the plane, it’d be just a 5 hour flight, and an hour car drive to where we need to go.

 

How would I go about doing this?? Instead of leaving him here.

[Stickerbunny]

Some air lines will let you carry animals in the cabin with you, Delta being one. If you book early enough they should let you take the bun in the cabin with you in a small carrier if he would fit under the seat in front of you. You would need to have him checked by a vet and a health certificate issued within the last 7 days, usually. Also an airline approved carrier. Call and ask around if any are free, how much it would cost etc. I would not put him in an airline that uses cargo because they tend to leave animals out with the luggage readying to be loaded (in whatever weather) – though you can find some airlines that will not do that and leave them in A/C until they load and have temperature regulated cargo spaces. Be CAREFUL though because often the person at the front desk has no clue about animal procedure.

There is also the option of driving, rather than flying, though for such a long drive a flight is probably less stressful for all involved.

Plenty of people move and bring their animals with them!

House rabbit society’s travel information page:

http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/travel.html

House rabbit society’s experience moving with animals:

http://www.rabbit.org/journal/2-10/rabbits-on-the-road.html

[RabbitPam]

If you already know what airline you’ll be taking, check out their website on flight requirements to travel with pets, and get specific about bunnies. The above is great info. for Delta. Don’t hesitate to consult a customer service rep. with any airline you’re considering to get their detailed info. on flying with a pet bunny.
There is a big difference between what you do with a dog, or even a cat, vs. a bunny, ie. the airline cargo hold is not good. But the carriers we tend to use are often airline carry-on approved, and some airlines let you have it ride at your feet, others in a seat near you. Cost can get up there, but that’s what they’ll let you know. I bought my carrier in part because it said it met airline carry on specs. Definitely possible.

[SunnyD23]

Awesome information!!! Thank you both!

[BaileyBun]

I was going to fly with my two, so I did quite a bit of research on flying with rabbits. I recommend calling any airlines you’re interested in taking. I was going to fly Delta, but their policies just changed and they wouldn’t allow bunnies in the cabin- only underneath in cargo, which seems like it would be very scary for a rabbit. I also contacted Frontier and they allow rabbits in the cabin. I believe their fee is $75 per animal. A lot of airlines allow animals like dogs and cats in the cabin, but surprisingly few allow rabbits (apparently because they’re considered livestock versus pets, arghh). I’m not sure how “flexible” airline policies are, but perhaps talking to the “higher-ups” and/or paying an extra fee might get you permission to bring your rabbit on board with you. The one thing I kept hearing was to hang onto any and all documentation you have from the airline that explicitly states that your rabbit is permitted in the cabin, because oftentimes gate employees don’t really know all of the policies.

[Stickerbunny]

Oooh, didn’t know Delta had changed their policies lately. Good idea to not go with them if they wanted to put your two in cargo, they are currently in a lawsuit because they left a hairless cat outside in snow and it froze to death waiting to be loaded in the cargo.

[longhairmike]

if you upgrade your ticket to first class,, there would be more room for the carrier in your lap.
I dont even think a coach seat would be big enough.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

As others have said you can take them on the plane and you could drive I found driving easy and I know a couple who fly their rabbits ‘home’ to visit family every Christmas. There was one on my plane this spring. So there are definitely options. I’m going to guess if it’s about 5 hours flying your looking at 35-40 hours driving. Which is very doable as well (so long as it’s not like across oceans) =you could even make a holiday out of it. When we moved from Ontario to Alberta we did that so we wouldn’t have to put our dog and guinea pig through a flight and also because it was fun. We did short driving days, went to all the tourist traps, swam in hotel pools etc. You could totally make a trip/holiday out of it too!

[SunnyD23]

I”ll call around tomorrow and see what I can do.. Hopefully I can find SOMETHING

[Molzy]

Honestly, my rabbit has never been that freaked out with moving. We’ve moved 6 times since I got him 4 years ago (college student, now in grad school!), and while none of the moves were that drastic (longest was about 4 hours), he always adjusted really well.

I’ve also flown with one of my birds – went very smoothly. Definitely call around to figure that out, and get him used to his carrier beforehand (double check with the airline which carriers they allow). I found with my bird, that while I thought being covered would calm her, she was MUCH more calm if she could see me. I would also throw some water from your current home into your luggage, or get him used to bottled water beforehand so that when you move he isn’t upset by the tap water change right away.

[longhairmike]

MOTEL 6 is pet friendly and cheap!! just call each location ahead of time to make sure they reserve you a 1st floor unit so you can bring your cage right in.

I just built an additional 2 story 3×2 NIC grid cage for our 1800 mile drive next wed-friday.

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