Hello FTers,

Our cat will be moving with us from San Francisco to Kuala Lumpur in September and I need advice and information, particualry from anyone else who has transported pets to/from Asia with transit (change of planes) in Tokyo and/or Singapore.

I have done all the research and have all the paperwork necessary lined up. Last thing is finding flights for travel for us and the cat as checked as baggage. We considered sending her as cargo unaccompanied but I have found that the airlines require an outside IATA certified pet transport company to make all the arrangements. The quotes I have received are astronomical -- upwards of $2 - 3K. Hence the decision to check her on the same flight with us.

Well, it seems the airline options are limited. JAL, SIN fly the most direct flights with 1 stop. I am leaning toward JAL b/c other reviews and comments lead me to believe that the care of animals is good. Problem is no flight gets us to Narita early enough for the connecting flight NRT -KUL. That means we must over night at Narita.

Anyone know if the pet hotel at Narita is used for transit animals? Anyone else have experience with moving pets to SE Asia? Additional advice, information is welcome.

Thanks very much.

Hi, while I don't have personal experience on your situation, I do have some info for you. It appears the Narita Pet Hotel can be used for your situation. It's open 24 hours a day. You may be able to claim your cat and take him to the Pet Hotel for a few hours. See:

http://www.narita-airport.jp/en/guide/service/list/svc_66_t2.html


I have also referred to this website for usual (obscure) airline info for pet travel and quarantine info for various countries (and states):

http://www.pettravel.com/airline_rules.cfm

I hope this helps. Good luck!

Hi, while I don't have personal experience on your situation, I do have some info for you. It appears the Narita Pet Hotel can be used for your situation. It's open 24 hours a day. You may be able to claim your cat and take him to the Pet Hotel for a few hours. See:

http://www.narita-airport.jp/en/guide/service/list/svc_66_t2.html

Thanks, I had found this. Problem is that it appears the pet hotel is outside of Japanese customs and is designed for people living in Japan who want to drop off their pet before departure not for transit passengers. If we have to clear customs to get to the hotel we need all of the animal import paperwork, etc. for Japan. I am hoping someone may know if the hotel is used by the airline for transit animals.


I have also referred to this website for usual (obscure) airline info for pet travel and quarantine info for various countries (and states):

http://www.pettravel.com/airline_rules.cfm

I hope this helps. Good luck!

Got this all covered but it is pretty good info.

http://www.narita-airport.jp/en/guide/service/list/svc_66_t2.html

Thanks, I had found this. Problem is that it appears the pet hotel is outside of Japanese customs and is designed for people living in Japan who want to drop off their pet before departure not for transit passengers. If we have to clear customs to get to the hotel we need all of the animal import paperwork, etc. for Japan. I am hoping someone may know if the hotel is used by the airline for transit animals.


Got this all covered but it is pretty good info.

Oh, sorry, I misunderstood your post.

I remember watching Airport UK and Heathrow had an entire kennel with fulltime staff for pets who were on layovers for connecting flights. JAL does say this "(2) Japanese airports have checked available facilities near the airport in advance to provide prompt information on veterinarians when requiring consultation in an emergency and hotels for pets.(excluding certain airports)."

However, obviously I don't know if the Narita Pet Hotel is one of those hotels for pets.