Experiences with transporting hamsters to a different country (within Europe)

[Peanut84]

Hi! I already posted this in another thread about flying with hamsters, but I thought I open a new thread to ask people who have experiences with transporting their hamsters long distances. In three month I will be moving from England to Germany and I would like to take my hamsters. I was originally hoping i could take them on a plane, but was advised against it. In the other thread many people suggested driving (which is a bit problematic, since I would not feel comfortable driving myself, but maybe I could get a friend to do it).

Are there any other safe options apart from driving by car?

If I would get a friend to drive, how can I make it as stress free fro the hamsters as possible?

I would be really thankful for any advice, maybe there are some breeders in this forum that already have transported there hamsters to different countries in Europe. Thank you!

[Rempanda]

Other than a car I really can't see a viable option I'm afraid. Planes are a no go and I wouldn't recommend a train as it's loud so very stressful, and can be very cold. And same goes with a coach.
But I have no experience with this so hopefully there will be someone else who will be able to advice!

[Peanut84]

Yes, I think I even found a friend who would drive, but I'm wondering if it is really the best way. It would be a two day drive and I'm wondering what to do with them on the ferry. It just seems really stressful as well.

[Thin Lizzy]

How long would you be on the ferry for?
You'd have your friend with you to help on the ferry.

[Pebbles82]

I know it's tricky isn't it if it is going to take more than one day. Could you not set off really early - like 5am or something, get an early ferry and then do it all in one day - that way the hammies don't need an overnight stop. You could stop for breathers along the way and get there late at night or something? On the ferry, if the hammies are in pet carriers, you could take them with you to the passenger area rather than leave them in the car maybe - although maybe have to check on regulations on this - I once brought a plant back from France in a duffle bag and saw lots of signs saying no plants to be imported due to diseases! I was only 14 and freaked! Chucked the plant when I got to the Uk!

Just looked up the regulations for P&O ferries (link below) which say animals have to stay in the car. So I guess most ferry companies would say this. But Dover to Calais is only 90 minutes, so you could stay in the car with them for a bit maybe, and then come out for a breather and then go back and check on them now and then.

P&O Ferries Pet PoliciesE - Pet Travel

I can see what you mean - if it means two days and an overnight stop then it's a long time for disruption for them.

Whereabouts in Germany are you travelling to?

Just seen this - pet transportation company. They look quite good and also offer a service where they will drive you and your pet in a car and arrange pet friendly overnight stops.

http://www.pets2go2.co.uk/services/

There's also this company - they go by eurotunnel which is something I hadn't thought of - and as they say you can take your pet with you in the cabin on an aeroplane (and have a photo of someone with a guinea pig in a carrier on an aeroplane) have just checked that out too. They say if you fly they will drive you the rest of the way from Charles de Gaulle airport in France.

http://www.pet-moves.com/

Don't know how much all that would cost though. I checked out airlines and I think Air France are the only one that allow small pets to be carried in the cabin in a pet carrier - this includes hamsters. So I guess that's why the pet transport service say they will drive you from Charles de Gaulle airport. Their regulations are one pet per person though, so if you had two hamsters to transport you would probably need someone to travel with you.

It sounds like a great option - taking your hamsters on your knee in a pet carrier and then being picked up and driven to your destination by people who understand pets! But goodness knows how much it costs. Air France aren't the cheapest. But good old French eh?! They tend to have a more relaxed attitude about animals.

Here's the Air France pet policy. Look under 'pets allowed' - it says hamsters.

http://www.pettravel.com/airline_pet.../airfrance.cfm

I'm not sure though, whether a pressurised cabin would be ok? Anyone else know? I guess it would be ok for a short flight - it's only about an hour to Paris on a plane. I did notice somewhere it mentioned that cabin travel wasn't suitable for short nosed dogs who could get respiratory problems. But the fact they accept hamsters and there is no mention of any issues is positive.

Only thing is - sometimes it can be a long haul hanging around in airport terminals rather than just popping a pet carrier in a car and leaving it there for your journey - less upheaval.

If you did go by car and ferry or eurotunnel (with Eurotunnel you just stay in your car for the train journey) and couldn't do the journey in a day and needed an overnight stop you'd probably need a temporary cage to put up overnight and a wheel so the hammies could have their normal night time activity, but I think that would cause a bit of stress maybe, rather than going straight from one home to a new one.

Eurotunnel goes from Dover to Calais for cars I think.

[ham888]

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

Don't know how much all that would cost though. I checked out airlines and I think Air France are the only one that allow small pets to be carried in the cabin in a pet carrier - this includes hamsters.

It seems only small dogs and cats are allowed in the cabin, others including hamsters go as checked baggage, so in the hold, not the cabin.

[Vectis Hamstery]

I've travelled to/from the Houten show in Holland for a few years. I go by minibus via the Eurotunnel and the journey each way takes about 9 hours. I transport the hamsters (and other rodents) in small plastic carriers with bedding, food and a water source (cucumber). I take extra cucumber so I can put more in if needed - rodents can die of dehydration during journeys. I also take care with temperature, but travel when it's cooler so lots of bedding and secure packing of the carriers in a box helps keep the temperature up. I'd be very reluctant to do such a journey in hot weather as heat is dangerous.

I've also travelled with a hamster on a ferry to the Isle of Wight (an hour on the boat, with an hour waiting to get on). On the IoW ferry you aren't allowed to stay on the car deck or go back there during the sailing. There is a 'dog area' on deck, but I decided to leave my boy in the car as it was cold and I felt he would be warmer in the car in his nest than sitting on my lap on deck in the wind!

One of my Syrian pups travelled by air to Finland at the weekend. She had to go in a carrier approved by the airline, and went (alone with many other hamsters) as hand luggage. I'm not sure about the practicalities involved apart from that, but I know it was a shorter journey than a land-based one.

[Pebbles82]

Nope - Air France will allow hamsters as hand baggage - it just says may transport something in the cargo section if it is too big to go under the seat and not a cat or dog or if it is a very long flight. I don't think this would apply to hamsters when they list them under 'checked baggage' but it would be as well to phone or email them and check:


Air France Pet Policy: Checked Baggage

"If your pet is too large to fit under the seat, it is an animal other than a dog or cat, or if it is a very long flight, Air France may transport your pet in the cargo section of the aircraft according to its regulations.

Pets Allowed: dogs or cats weighing more than 13.2 lbs. (6kg) up to a maximum weight of 165.3 lbs. (75 kg) household birds, hamsters, guinea pigs and rabbits."

I notice they won't take short nosed dogs and specify those breeds (probably due to the respiratory thing) but say it is ok to take Hamsters in an approved carrier as hand baggage (the approved carrier bit is elsewhere). You just have to check with them if your carrier is approved.

It depends where you live really - if you have a short journey to an airport where Air France flies from it might be an option. Then get picked up at the airport and driven to your destination. If that's affordable. Or maybe even a train from the airport. It would certainly be more likely the journey would be done in a day. but might mean you have to have someone with you if carrying more than one pet - but you never know - they might let you take two pet carriers if you ask them and say they are two very small pets!

[Thin Lizzy]

Serendipity - Great information!
You seem to cover everything.

[Pebbles82]

Thanks TL - hope it helps Peanut - not an easy logistical thing whichever way.