Travelling with my pet from Philippines to Colombia (South America)

Flying with my dog from Philippines to Colombia (South America)

Are you sure that your pet will be safe and sound during the flight? Can my dog support the noise of the engine? How about the temperature of the compartment? These are some questions I had in my mind whether to leave my furbaby in the Philippines or take her with me to Colombia. My pet’s name is Legend (a chocolate Labrador), a present I received from my Colombian fiancée.

Way back in Philippines, I was always alone in the house and she is my only companion. I eat with her, shower with her, walk with her and even sleep with her on my bed. The day comes that Leo (My Colombian Fiancée) asked me to go with in Colombia and start a new life. How about Legend?? I started to read articles 4 months prior my flight (March 15, 2015) on how to take a pet internationally. I was so anxious that “most” of the articles I found online were stories of a pet who wasn’t able to survive a flight. I got so scared and thinking not to bring her with me.  But the experience I am going to share is about the successful journey of my canine from Philippines to Colombia.

Things to be done:

1.       Check the requirements needed from your country of destination. For Colombia:

*Health Certificate from Licensed Veterinarian (valid for 15 days before flight)

*Updated records of Deworming and Vaccination

*Export Permit (Valid for 10 days before flight)

*Fee of 39,000 Colombian pesos (roughly 20 USD) when you claim the pet from ICA (Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario) located inside the El Dorado Airport

2.       Check the pet policy of your Preferred Airlines. Some Airline will reject your pet request due to extreme weather conditions. There is also a restriction about the animal breed. Airlines will not allow a pug nosed and snub nosed cats and dogs as checked baggage.

3.       Find an airline that will be best for you. I asked Lufthansa about the bringing my pet. The attendant told me that I need to ask for another airline to take me out to Philippines going to Asia (connecting flight). Once I am somewhere in Asia, that’s the time they will be responsible for my itinerary. It sounds like a lot of job from me so I called another airline (Delta Airlines). Jenna, the girl from Delta offered me the cheapest dates when to fly in Colombia. I purchased my ticket for March 15, 2015 four months prior my flight and it was 61,000 pesos one-way. I told her I’ll be bringing my dog with me. She asked me details about my pet like the weight, measurements as well as her kennel dimensions for the pet request. Dog as big as Labrador will be charged as excess luggage (200 USD) and will be placed among fragile items in the compartment close to the tail of the plane. No need for reservation for the pet. Just check in the pet like a regular luggage.

4.       Provide a crate that will allow your pet to move around, sit and lie down in natural position. It must be leak-proof and well ventilated on at least two sides.

                (during her check in at Ninoy Aquino International Airport)

Crate Training for Travel:

·         Introduce your pet in the crate. Never force him to go inside.

·         Leave the crate door open and place the food/treats. Once your pet is inside the kennel, close the door. As soon as he finished eating you will open the door again. This will help your pet get used eating inside the crate.

·         When the pet is familiar with the kennel. Increase the amount of time that the door stays closed. If your dog starts to cry release him and put him back again. Be patient.

·         Download classical music (Pachelbel/Mozart/Chopin) on your phone/tablet and place it inside the crate. This will calm your pet and will put her to sleep. (This is effective to my pet)

·         Exercise the pet before leaving her inside the crate.

5.       Ten days before your flight, secure the requirements needed.

*Health certificate from licensed veterinarian, the updated records of your pet’s vaccination and deworming. Once you have all of these, go directly to Bureau of Animal Industry (at Visayaz Avenue Diliman Quezon City) for the Export Permit (valid for 10 days). This is free and duration process is around 20 minutes.

After these steps, it’s time to relax. The date of my flight was fast approaching. I was getting more and more anxious. I know for myself that Legend is a strong dog and she will survive the flight. The night before our flight to Colombia. I prepare her kennel with her stuff. The red bag contains her food, plastic bag for her waste, wee wee pad for kennel, leash and the wheels of her kennel. Provide an adequate water supply to keep your pet hydrated and lastly, place a used clothing (t-shirt) to ease the anxiety and stress of your dog.

(During our check in at Ninoy Aquino International Airport)

It will be a long Journey us. Our itinerary was Manila-Japan-New York- Colombia. On Japan, my name was mentioned before disembarking the plane. I got nervous. close to the door of the plane, a girl was holding a paper with my name on it so I approached the Japanese attendant. 

She told me my dog was doing great and asked for an extra copy of export permit. I got teary eyed knowing she was safe and sound. It was 4 hour-flight from Manila to Japan. For now, I won’t see her until we get to New York. The duration of time from Japan to New York is roughly 11-12 hours. When we got to New York. It was a great sigh of relief seeing Legend. I was surprised her kennel was clean and no vomit. She was barking at me to release her from the crate immediately which I did. I walked her outside the JFK Airport for an hour even it was freezing cold. 

                            

                                (outside JFK Airport New York)

I cannot tolerate the coldness and hence spent the next hours inside the airport with Legend. We were just sitting close to the counter of Delta until I surrender her to the baggage Area. I was with Legend for four hours, just cuddling and playing with her.

After 9 hours of waiting, finally I stepped on the plane going to Bogota. It was another 6-hour flight. I was relax at this moment knowing Legend was in good condition.

   ( Arrival in El Dorado Aeropuerto Bogota Colombia together with my furbaby )

After the immigration in El Dorado Airport Colombia, I went straight ahead to the luggage area. I heard a bark and I know it is my furbaby, I was so happy, knowing we we're both fine after the long flight.