Families have been left shocked at the cost of transporting their pets abroad as some say they may have no option but to leave them behind.
Transporting pets abroad has always come with a fairly hefty price tag, but this is set to increase even further as pet transfer companies raise prices.
IAG Cargo, which handles pet transfers for major airlines like British Airways and Aer Lingus, will raise prices from March 1 on select routes.
The company is seen as a key provider for transferring pets, with UK airlines having extensive requirements for bringing pets on board.
The shipping firm is also often used by military personnel looking to take their pets abroad while deployed.
And with expats often looking at taking their pets abroad with them, it could leave pet owners with difficult decisions to make.
IAG Cargo’s current policy only accepts bookings for pet transfers up to six weeks before a flight and will then confirm the space has been requested.
Two weeks before the flight, the booking is confirmed and the price is locked in. Speaking to the BBC, Sara – whose military family are moving back to the US – initially received a quote of £1,143 for two dogs. Now, the price has jumped to £5,118.
She said: “Our dogs are like our children, we would do anything for them but that doesn’t mean it’s not devastating for our finances.”
The director of another pet transfer company that helps US and UK military families move pets said some ticket prices have gone up by as much as 400 percent.
Dean Faulkner, director of Silver Birch Pet Jets, said: “Often young families will have small children and pets and get three months’ notice when restarting their whole lives from scratch.
“It’s a huge amount to organise, and within days or weeks of arriving one of those family members may be sent on to areas of conflict. The dog or cat is hugely important, it is the family’s companion when one partner is away fighting and this will be hugely distressing for them.
“It’s massively emotional and detrimental to their health and welfare.”
