How do I transport an animal out of BC and into AK?

March 5, 2008 1:20 PM

I want to get a dog from Topley, BC to Juneau, AK. The papers are all taken care of but transportation is a big problem. Is there any way to fly a dog out of small town BC?

Right now, my options all involve me going to Prince Rupert and picking the dog up. Any combination of Alaska Airlines and/or Alaska Marine Highway is going to cost at least $480. I sure would like to spend less money than this. I have never shipped an animal and I have no idea about getting around in Canada. I know it is a long shot that anybody is going to have a solution for me but I am at a total loss.

posted by Foam Pants to Travel & Transportation (4 answers total)

Sorry if this is a dumb obvious question, but have you called Alaska Air to ask if they will ship the dog without you on the plane? I'm assuming the dog is living somewhere - can whoever has it now put it on the plane, to be received by you at the final destination? Their live animals info page doesn't say whether you need to be present, but for some reason I didn't think you had to for AirCanada, so I'd give them a call.
posted by impactorange at 2:26 PM on March 5, 2008

Response by poster: Alaska Air only flies into St George ( I think ) starting in mid-May and then only like once a week. If I could somehow get the dog to Ketchikan I would be able to put her on Alaska Air.
posted by Foam Pants at 3:10 PM on March 5, 2008

AirCanada flies from Prince Rupert and then changes into a northwest or an Alaskan flight once it leaves... try AirCanada to see if they will fly the dog without you?
posted by impactorange at 4:11 PM on March 5, 2008

Ptui to commercial air. Call up the Burns Lake Flying Club and see if anybody wants to put some hours on. Even if you offered lunch and a planeful of gas, you'd be spending very little.

I'm not from the area, but I am familiar with small town flying clubs. They are always made up of people who love to spend a lot of time and money going places for no reason. Supplying a good excuse might be all you need to get some great people involved in a quest that will make everybody's day.

Except maybe the dog. You might want to pour her a stiff drink ahead of time.
posted by Sallyfur at 1:07 AM on March 6, 2008