Moving a dog cross country?

[Metalloid]

I'm moving from Michigan to San Francisco in a month or so. I'll be flying with enough clothes to get me by for a few weeks in a hotel, and having my stuff delivered by a moving company after I find an apartment. The dog is a pitbull stray that I picked up a few weeks ago. He's very quiet and isn't the least bit agressive, but he's a little attached to me and starts to pace or cry if I leave him alone for even a few hours. He will be fine in the cargo hold of a plane for a few hours but I'll have to get a direct flight I'm thinking.

I can take him into work with me in San Francisco, so if I choose to put him on the plane with me I'll just run with him to work every day until I get an apartment and a car. I'd rather not leave him with my parents for a month until my bed and belongings are moved on a truck, nor do I know if moving companies will take a dog on the truck anyway.

Tips? How expensive are we talking here? tia

 

[Capt Caveman]

Make sure he's comfortable being in a crate, if he's not already. Can't drive? Should only take you 3 days. I have traveled cross-country a few times with my dogs via car.

But if you're flying, yes a direct flight to reduce the time and also make sure to tell the airlines and crew when you're checking that you have a dog in the hold to ensure that they heat the hold.

 

[looker001]

Check laws on pitbull in San Francisco, remember somekind of law being passed there.

 

[Metalloid]

Yea all they did was pass a sterilization law I think, and he's getting fixed next Monday.

I would drive, but some asshole stole my car a few months ago. I'm just going to buy a cheap o van or something for the first few months out there to save money for something nice.... like a new camaro maybe?

 

[MovingTarget]

Maybe I'm paranoid, but pets dont' belong in a cargo hold on a plane. Take a train cross-country. You will enjoy yourself more, as will your pet.

 

[IGBT]

Originally posted by: looker001
Check laws on pitbull in San Francisco, remember somekind of law being passed there.

..pitbulls are a serious litigation hazard here in SF (due to numerous incidents resulting in death and heinous injury). Home owner ins.may not insure you due to any high risk dog such as a pitbull.

 

[Metalloid]

Can I keep him with me on a leash or something? That sounds like the best option so far. Would be a lot cheaper too.

 

[Metalloid]

I've been looking and apparently Amtrak has a strict no pet policy except for service dogs.

I really didn't feel like making that drive again, but I'm starting to think renting a uhaul will be less work in the long run despite 3 days on the road.

 

[AlienCraft]

Originally posted by: Metalloid
I'm moving from Michigan to San Francisco in a month or so. I'll be flying with enough clothes to get me by for a few weeks in a hotel, and having my stuff delivered by a moving company after I find an apartment. The dog is a pitbull stray that I picked up a few weeks ago. He's very quiet and isn't the least bit agressive, but he's a little attached to me and starts to pace or cry if I leave him alone for even a few hours. He will be fine in the cargo hold of a plane for a few hours but I'll have to get a direct flight I'm thinking.

I can take him into work with me in San Francisco, so if I choose to put him on the plane with me I'll just run with him to work every day until I get an apartment and a car. I'd rather not leave him with my parents for a month until my bed and belongings are moved on a truck, nor do I know if moving companies will take a dog on the truck anyway.

Tips? How expensive are we talking here? tia

You contradicted yourself. Either he's anxious or he's not. I'm going with "is anxious".
No way would I let an airline handle my pet. They can't reliably handle dead baggage, HTF are they going to handle something with a heartbeat?
NO way Jose! Drive, that way if you die in a wreck, you'll both go together. :shocked:

 

[Deeko]

I ended up driving when I moved cross country because my dog has bad separation anxiety and he would freak out in the cargo hold of a plane.

 

[nutxo]

Originally posted by: Metalloid
I've been looking and apparently Amtrak has a strict no pet policy except for service dogs.

I really didn't feel like making that drive again, but I'm starting to think renting a uhaul will be less work in the long run despite 3 days on the road.

Very cool

I wish more dog owners actually gave a damn about thier dogs than thier own convenience.

 

[Deviant Grasshopper]

Dude just drive.

Make it a fun cross country trip. Instead of 3 days make it 5. Rent a huge uhaul with enough room to lay your mattress down flat. Stop at little mom'n'pop places for lunch and sleep at random scenic stops and crap.



I'm jealous.

 

[CptCrunch]

I'd suggest renting a car and driving. Will probably be cheaper than flying, you can see some sights and take your dog along for the entire trip

 

[Blieb]

Few hundred bucks.

Check ahead with airlines ... often times you can't just show up with an animal for cargo.

 

[Kelemvor]

I hear so many horror stories about pets mysteriously dying while in airplanes that I don't think id' ever do that. I'd drive the trip or have someone come visit you to drive the dog. Rather take the time to do that than end up with no dog.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Trying to fly our pups from Vegas to Cedar Rapids, we were quoted the equivalent of a one way seat for each.

We also would have to buy a shipping crate that would be big enough to keep both or two small crates (one for each)

The flight was limited to pressurized cargo which meant a low cost carrier could not be used. Direct flights are best, easiest for the animal.

Final airfare quote was $700 for two for a one way trip.

Check with the airlines from Detroit to SFO for directs Northwest and American for under $300 with advance purchase (I estimated you at 10 March)

NorthWest Pet Policy