would we be nuts to bring my 2 yorkies on vacation with us?

[Space Cat]

Chilean SAG has specific time frames for both vaccines (more than a month before arrival but not more than a year) and external+internal anti-parasite treatment (less than a month before arrival):
http://www.sag.gob.cl/ambitos-de-accion ... e-compania

[thisisreallycomplicated]

You might need to rule out some cheaper flights, if they don't work for your dog.

[MikieO]

Figure out the crate size and call the airlines, they have set prices for pet travel, some flights may be excluded, I have never figured out why......

OK, that's getting closer. I'll call AA tomorrow.

[thisisreallycomplicated]

One other thing to keep in mind is, even if your dog is healthy enough to travel now (and pass inspection), he might not be in the future. It's probably not worth worrying about, but just something to be aware of if you can't easily change your travel plans.

[lost gringo]

I don't know if the rules have changed as the last time I traveled with my 65lb Labrador to Chile from the U.S was 4 years ago but back then I first had to find an APIS registered veterinarian who completed a health certificate for my dog.
Rabies and Parvo shots have to be up to date. Nothing was required for parasites but that may have changed, the SAG website should give you the current requirements. Cost: $125 for each certificate only as vaccinations were current and had been done in Chile.
I then had to take that certificate to a USDA office to have it stamped and verified. Cost: $100 each certificate.

At that time American Airlines charged $350 to transport the dog from SFO to Puerto Montt via Santiago. You have to inquire about each flight as some planes are not equipped to carry animals. You must also notify them well in advance. Cost: $350.
Small dogs may be allowed to travel in the cabin with you at no or little charge. Be aware that the number of dogs allowed in the cabin of each flight is limited and that the airlines have recently changed the requirements allowing for pets in cabin.

Upon arrival at SCL presented documents to SAG without problems or delay. There was always 4 or 5 people who didn't have proper documents and could be seen arguing with SAG while I sailed through so make sure everything is in order.

Hope this helps.











i

[picalena]

One very important consideration is going to be temperatures when you are planning to travel back and forth. There are minimum and maximum temps for departure and arrival. That prohibited us from being able to travel with our larger dogs based on our necessary travel times of the year and destinations. We traveled out of DFW to Chile, so I will tell you that will severely limit when you can travel, because there are many months out of the year that it is too hot to leave DFW even on the red-eye nighttime departure. Add the complexity of opposite seasons, and it can be like threading a needle to find the right days that are not too hot or too cold. The small dog, though, was easily smuggled in the cabin on the plane and the bus (a great traveler). But shhhh, don't tell anyone!

Suerte,
pl

[72Shilden]

If you aren't going for weeks or months, wouldn't it be worth it to find a family member or friend who could care for your dogs or other pets for some time, maybe in exchange for money? That's what my parents do with their dogs, and what I do with my cat, when we go on vacation or on a professional trip. Plus, it would allow your pets to avoid the pain of a long travel ; if it's hard enough for us when we're sitting in a lit place with an access to the toilet, how hard can it be for your pet held in a cage?