Personally I wouldn't recommend using a pet relocation service.
I just used one because it seemed the airlines required it. I was charged $1,995 to move my dog from Dallas to Dublin via Frankfurt.
Let me be very clear, aside from booking the flight, Pet Express did literally nothing for me. I got all of the paperwork from the vet, brought my dog for the physical and worming treatment. Drove roundtrip from Dallas to Austin to get paperwork certified by USDA, etc. In addition, I dropped my dog off at the airport and was on board his flight.
Upon picking him up in Dublin I saw exactly what Pet Express paid on my behalf. $580. I cannot imagine how them booking the flight amounted to over $1400 work. It was robbery, in my opinion.
If you fly with an airline that allows you to do it yourself, as long as you use a vet that is familiar with the process, you have absolutely no need for Pet Express. My paperwork was all in order and I had no issues in that regard.
This isn't rocket science. When I previously lived in the UK I shipped my dog myself and had no issues.
Anyway, just my two cents based upon my experience. I feel a bit taken advantage of after seeing how much money they pocketed off of me.
By the way, one piece of advice, when I was giving Pet Express the dimensions of the crate (which was used to ship my dog from London to Los Angeles), along with the dimensions of my dog, they advised I should use the next crate size up. They quickly increased the price by $260. I went back to them and said I would not be increasing the size of the crate and to take the price back down to $1,995. I had a feeling they were screwing me over with that increase in price and decided I would bring the larger crate to the airport and pay the difference myself to the airline, if necessary. Well, would you believe there was no difference in price??? I saved myself $260 which would have been further thievery. My advice, estimate low on the size of the crate you need to get yourself a cheaper price. I don't think Lufthansa changes the price of the flight based upon the size of the crate.
I hope this helps! Happy moving and enjoy your new life in Ireland. It's a beautiful country which some of the nicest people you could hope to meet. 🙂
I'm going over to Ireland for the first time in December - I'm staying in Wicklow/Wexford area. I'm sure there isn't anything I won't like and my next port of call would be to move there!
I just need a guide on what and how really!!
I work in London (could potentially ask if job available in Dublin office) if not I would need to get a new job, do you interview by Skype do you have to fly over etc...? - I'm an Executive assistant so my thought process is to try Dublin City Centre for that?
I live in Essex - and own a flat (mortgaged) - what are people's thoughts on property - ideally I would like a house with some land and stables as I have horses and dogs (well I have 1 of each at the moment but when I move I plan to buy more!!) but to start with my horse could stay in Essex with my friend - I can take my dog, but do you rent first in Ireland and rent flat out at home (this does make me nervous though in case people wreck it!) - then buy once you are more settled in? (6 months I am thinking?)
Any comments or tip or hints! And in particular any areas that people think would be good and rural for me to check out but not too far from Dublin would be great! Thanks all! 🙂
Hi Zara,
Sounds like you have it all mapped out 🙂 Are you really going for the very first time though, and planning on moving soon after? What if you don't like it? What's making you want to move when you've never been?
Kildare is great horse country, and close to Dublin. I have no idea how you get set up with a place for your horse etc though. There's plenty of other options too in close commuting range to Dublin.
Welcome to the site.
Liam
Thanks for the reply Liam!
I’m going to see how I get on in December and then go back as many times as I need to after to scope out the areas etc...
To be honest I have nothing to stay in Essex for... my dad has recently gone to Spain (and I can fly as easily to there from Dublin!) and it’s the lifestyle that appeals to me in Ireland! I’m very countryside orientated and i’m Just a bit fed up of the london commute everyday! I feel like change is as good as the rest!
Liam, Could you point me in the direction to where I can find information on getting private health insurance while visiting, for 5 months, in Ireland and Northern Ireland? I will be on US Medicare insurance when we are planning on coming over next summer but I know that Medicare will not cover me while in Northern Ireland and Ireland. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated! Becky
Hi Jen,
Thank you for your valuable insight into this topic. It is a huge point of contention for many movers. It's ridiculously expensive to move pets with those kinds of companies, and if you can do it yourself (have the time etc), then I totally agree with you that that is the way to go. It isn't difficult, and you can save a ton of money! A while back, it was a requirement to use a pet service. THat's not the case anymore, so people need to explore their options.
The one thing I'd caution about your crate comment, was that there are legal requirements that the airlines have to follow for that. The pet has to be able to stand up without touching the ceiling of the crate, turn around etc. You do not want to show up at the airport with the wrong size crate, and get denied boarding. Also, those pet companies often offer you an add-on service, whereby they provide the crate. Examine the cost/savings of that, as well as the potential convenience aspect. You will save $ if you bring your own.
regards,
Liam
Liam, Could you point me in the direction to where I can find information on getting private health insurance while visiting, for 5 months, in Ireland and Northern Ireland? I will be on US Medicare insurance when we are planning on coming over next summer but I know that Medicare will not cover me while in Northern Ireland and Ireland. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated! Becky
Becky - Joanna just started a new topic along similar lines. I'll answer your question there.
https://irelandmoveclub.com/community/ireland-move-club-members-forum/health-insurance/
Hello! My name's Taylor. Nice to meet you all. =)
Just have to start off saying, this is an incredible site--so happy to have come across it. It's cleared up a lot about the whole process of moving over. Really wonderful.
I currently live in Ireland on a Working Holiday Authorization. It's my second time coming over on a WHA. I have an Irish boyfriend (now fiancé) of nearly five years. We've gone between the USA and Ireland for ages, and we're completely ready to be done with it. We're just starting the whole marriage/Stamp 4 process. Thanks to this site, I have a pretty good idea of how most of it works. (Thank you!)
Though, my only question now would be whether or not I can marry while on a WHA or if I'll need to exit Ireland and return on a regular 90 day stay. (Though, I've read that it can take longer than 90 days considering the interview is scheduled 3 months in advance in person, plus the added second interview. So, it sounds like the whole process takes a lot of back and forth between the two countries? It makes me wonder if marrying in the US, and getting a fiance visa would be the easier way to go in that case.)
Such a tough topic because everyone's situation is so different.
Hello! My name is Kevin. My family (wife, 13 yr old son) and I are planning our emigration from the States to Ireland...I'm sure to have plenty of questions to post as our departure date draws near (right now it looks like early summer), but for now I'm busy 'shopping' for a shipper. We will have one full 20' container (FCL) to ship (and probably a follow-up container of less timely items once we're settled) from Long Beach to Dublin.
I'm surprised to hear of the wide disparity in prices that we are quoted, and worried that some shippers are merely trying to get out business with an attractive quote.
My only questions at this point for The IMC :
1) Has anyone heard of / dealt with either Schumacher Cargo (based in Long Beach) or Inter Movers (based in New Jersey)?
2) Is there any shipping company that any IMC members would recommend? A shipper that stands head and shoulders above the rest for price and service?
Any insights are appreciated. Thanks.
Hi Kevin, welcome to the site.
From my experience I don't think you'll find a recommendation for a standout shipper. Sadly, most people seem to have some sort of discontent. Maybe it's just the nature of this type of service. Price, delays, lost items, etc. We've heard it all.
I personally don't recommend anyone company, but do urge people to get many (5 or 6) quotes, and scrutinize each one. Make sure they are like-for-like (door to door, or whatever you're doing), and make sure you question every fee, and lack of fees (the ones that pop up later!).
Please feel free to add new topics as things come up.
Liam