Travel with Pets - Getting a cat through Customs in IAD

We're moving back to the US from Germany with our cat at the end of June. We've made all the arrangements with UA and their PetSafe program. Mrs. Kikuchiyo is traveling by herself, and the cat will be traveling with her as checked baggage. They arrive in IAD then connect to CHS with about 2 hours ground time.

What is the process for a checked pet at IAD customs? I've been through there many times, and I recall seeing the pets lined up at the end of the room by the exit. Does she collect the cat, clear Customs with the cat and her other bags, then recheck the pet on the other side as if the cat was a normal bag? Will the baggage recheck handlers know what to do with a pet, or will she get told she has to take it somewhere else to recheck it?

Thanks in advance.

I'm sorry that I can't answer your questions, but I would encourage you to do anything you can to not put your cat in the hold. Can you not take her as cabin baggage? That way you know the condition and whereabouts of your cat the entire trip and you would just go through customs carrying the cat and inform them that you have a pet to declare.

I traveled from the US to Cyprus with my cat as cabin baggage. I would have been worried the entire flight about her if I had to put her in the hold.

Can you not take her as cabin baggage

No, she cannot take her in the cabin. The cat is a bit too big for the under-seat sized carriers, and she is quiet vocal. We brought her over here as checked baggage, and aren't too worried about that part.

They leave next week, so if anyone has any experience clearing Customs at IAD with a checked pet, we'd greatly appreciate any advise or information.

To answer my own question for the benefit of others:

PetSafe handled the cat all the way through Customs. Mrs. K went to the UAL baggage assistance desk inside the Customs baggage claim area just to check. The cat was not there at that moment, but the agents assured her that they would be taking Sweetie through with the other pets. Mrs. K did check the box on the blue Customs form indicating that she was bringing in a live animal, but the Customs agents didn't ask about it.

On a related note, when you check the pet with PetSafe, you attach a couple pull-off tags that you fill in with your name, pet's name, flight number, and your seat. The baggage handlers are supposed to tear one off for each leg and give them to the Purser to deliver to you at your seat so you know your pet is on-board. Didn't happen for either leg. Although on each leg a crewmember (the Capt on the regional jet!) did inform Mrs. K that Sweetie was aboard, she never got the pull-off tags.

On a related note, when you check the pet with PetSafe, you attach a couple pull-off tags that you fill in with your name, pet's name, flight number, and your seat. The baggage handlers are supposed to tear one off for each leg and give them to the Purser to deliver to you at your seat so you know your pet is on-board. Didn't happen for either leg. Although on each leg a crewmember (the Capt on the regional jet!) did inform Mrs. K that Sweetie was aboard, she never got the pull-off tags.

I would rather have a notification from the captain or crew member of my flight than have someone deliver to me a tag anytime. @:-)