Question
We are currently arranging for our pet cat to join us in the UK.
We've gone through the process of organising the trip and fulfilled (or will do) all the requirements to have the cat in the UK (she is travelling within the EU).
The problem is that I'm worried about the flight itself. She's doesn't like being transported in containers, though we've taken steps to accustom her to her container by leaving treats there and occasionally keeping her in it. We also get her to travel with us by car.
I'm particularly worried about psychological trauma as the poor thing will be kept in her container for no less than 5 hours (albeit the flight is direct, the transport company have asked us to bring her several hours prior to it).
Do you think it could be too much? There's a possibility she could stay with family. Shall we not risk it and go for that?
EDIT: We received the cat on Friday, 2014/08/22 in good health and I'm very happy to say that everything went smooth and she is adjusting fine to her new environment. Many thanks again for the helpful answers posted here.
Answer
From my experience (I shipped a cat from Brisbane, Australia to Houston, Texas - which was a LOT more than a 5 hour journey), I can offer some suggestions.
Water is essential. Most of the places that handle shipping will ensure water is available. If there are any delays or long layovers, you'll need to arrange for someone to be with the pet in the airport (I had to do this - I ended up with a relative of a friend going to the airport in question).
Sedation depends entirely on the pet. My cat had to be sedated because she was a single-person animal, I wasn't there (I'd left to move to the US a few days earlier), and she panicked so much the transit company staff decided the risk of her injuring herself was greater than the risk of sedation.
I'd recommend you include an old (something you're willing to lose) unwashed piece of clothing in the carrier - it will smell of you, which will help to reassure your cat.
If you can have her do her business before the trip, that would help, although part of the reason the transit company is having you bring her in some time before the flight is so they can prepare everything and give her a final health check.
Once you collect her at the other end of the journey, you'll want to make a big fuss of her and reassure her.
You don't mention her age: the cat I shipped was 7 at the time (she's 19 now, and going strong). The older the cat, the more stressful the experience is likely to be.
From what I've experienced, pets being shipped are usually treated with care by the shipping and airline staff, and there are relatively few issues (of course, the ones that do happen will make the news).
If you're going to be in the UK for a long time and your cat is strongly attached to you, a day of stress for her is probably better than being without you for a long time.
Answered By - Kate Paulk