Other Turtle Discussion

We are transferring back to the States from Naples, Italy sometime around the end of the year, and I'm having a hard time figuring out how to get the turtles back. Does anyone know of an airline that will let me check them like you would a dog or a cat vs. them going as cargo? I've been told to call USDA, CDC, and US fish and wildlife. USDA, and CDC say they have no restrictions or requiremtents, but will not send me that in writing. US fish and wildlife have a form that needs to be faxed to their office prior to the flight, and they have to visually inspect the turtles at the point of entry into the country. The inspector I spoke to said it would be best for me to fly with the turtles, but again, I can't find an airline that will let me 'check' them. Thanks in advance for any help.

I've been looking into this for a couple of years and have zero solid information on it. I would start with the airline and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to find out what they have to say (keep a written record of names, dates, times of what is discussed).

From the US customs website:
http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/new ... t/pets.pdf

"Visitors frequently inquire about traveling with their pets to the United States. All such importations are subject to health, quarantine, agriculture, wildlife, and customs requirements and prohibitions. Pets, except for pet birds, taken out of the United States and returned are subject to the same requirements as those entering for the first time. Returning U.S. origin pet birds are subject to different import restrictions than pet birds of non-U.S. origin entering the United States. For more information on importing pet birds into the United States, see the section on Birds, or the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) web site at www.aphis.usda.gov/NCIE.

Pets excluded from entry into the United States must either be exported or destroyed. While awaiting disposition, pets will be detained at the owner's expense at the port of arrival. USDA does not inspect or detain pets at U.S. ports of entry.

The U.S. Public Health Service requires that pet dogs and cats brought into this country be examined at the first port of entry for evidence of diseases that can be transmitted to humans. Travelers with dogs originating from areas not free of rabies must bring a valid rabies vaccination certificate. Turtles are subject to certain restrictions, and monkeys may not be imported as pets under any circumstances.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is concerned with the importation, trade, sale, and taking of wildlife and with protecting endangered plant and animal species. Some wild species of dogs, cats, turtles, reptiles, and birds, although imported as pets, may be listed as endangered. Endangered and threatened animals and plants, migratory birds, marine mammals, and certain dangerous wildlife may not be imported without special federal permits. Sportsmen will find the section on wildlife of particular interest, since game birds and animals are subject to special entry requirements.

Also, check with state, county, and municipal authorities for local restrictions on importing pets. It is a general requirement that airlines require health certificates for traveling pets. You should check with your airline prior to your travel date to find out what the requirements are."

Yeah, I know for Cats and Dogs, the owner needs to provide proof of recent Vet visits and appropriate vaccinations. I've heard of people's pets being quarrentined for not having such documentation... I assume that would be bad for turtles, since they require very specific care. Also I wouldn't want to "check" them because often the baggage areas are not insulated properly (extreme hot or cold temperatures) or maintain cabin pressure like the peopled areas are.

Thanks for all the info. Living in Italy I have to go through an IPATA shipper. The first quote for the two cats/one dog/3 turtles was 3700 euro. I can't afford that so, the cats/dog will fly with me, cats in cabin...dog checked. However, the turtles have to go as cargo, so I'm working with this shipper to get them to the States. There is no way around a layover unless I fly to Atlanta or Detroit, which would keep them out of the water way longer than necessary for the drive back. With the shortest layover being almost 7 hours, it looks like they will be out of the water for almost 24 hours. Is that going to be a problem? I'm trying to fly them into Atlanta, then onto St. Louis, or KC, Mo. around October. The weather should be a lot milder than Detroit which is Delta's other hub into St. Louis or KC, Mo. While researching this I have ran across the horror stories of shipping animals. It's a nightmare. I am so worried about our little guys, but there is no other way to get them back. I've checked into heat/cook packs, and different types of containers. I was going to put moss in with them, but that presents a problem in itself, so I will have to put them on either cloth or paper. Which is harder on them...heat or cold? Sorry for all the questions. I just want to make sure they make it to the States happy (as possible), and healthy.

It's sad to know there are so few options. Neither extreme heat or cold is good for them but they might be more restful in a cooler state. 24 hours out of water is not a problem for larger, healthy RES. You should check on the various rescue sites, they will have packing/shipping information.

The turtles are about 2 years old...2 males approximately 5 inches...1 female approximately 8 inches. All are healthy. I called UPS/Fed EX...neither on ship live animals international, so I guess it's back to Delta. I would feel much better if I could make all the arrangements myself, but I have to go through the IPATA shipper. The latest quote for the turtles is $2700. I called Delta they quoted me approximately $465 for the flight from USA to Rome, Italy. I can't get a quote for the return route without going through the shipper. Even if the price is doubled from Rome to the USA a quote of 2700 is ridiculous. This is becoming a nightmare. Thanks again for your help. I will let you know what I end up doing, and how it turns out.

I have no idea why they make it so complicated or expensive.

I know this is frustrating but I am glad you started this thread. I hope you find a good solution.. it looks like the trend of Pet Airlines is slowly picking up but its limited to certain cities. I doubt they take turtles anyway

Jasmine and Theodore made it to Missouri Wednesday, around midnight! They spent 28 hours in a wood box lined with styrofoam for insulation, in a snake bag, with packing peanuts on top and below them. Delta cargo Italy was trying to make them spend the night prior to flight, and in Atlanta, without a good reason...just because that is the way it is done. We were able to talk them out of staying the night prior, but they insisted they would have to stay the night in Atlanta. However, in route the customs broker from Atlanta called and said she would get them on the flight out ASAP! She was great! She worked with Fish and wildlife to get them cleared ASAP. In Italy there was snag after snag with paper work, permits, and requirements. Just when we thought every thing was in order they would come up with something last minute. My husband had to delay his flight out one week to get extra issues taken care of. I did not want them spending two nights anywhere...after getting everything set up the pet shipper said she could not book those flights...had to be the two overnights. By the time I got the one overnight elimated the flights were booked for days we planned. We were going to have to go to different airline...continental was taking days to respond to pet shipper, so we went with delay on flight through Delta. Last minute they needed a pet passport...pet passport office said "no, we don't do passports for turtles". Delta cargo said we have to have one. Italian shipper called passport office and they told her no. The vet that did the health certificate called and convinced them to do the paperwork! Last minute...was wood for crate fumigated?...Finally, they were in flight. After I was told they could catch the next flight to St. Louis instead of spending the night I took off for the airport which is three hours away. I arrived two hours early...was a nervous wreck...sitting forever did not help the nerves. Finally the delta reps said your animals are here. I was so afraid of what I would find. I opened the wood crate...immediately Jasmine pushes open her styrofoam top and crawls out to me! She had gotten out of her snake bag and destroyed her styrofoam...so much for insulation. Theodore's styrofoam wasn't moving...I was worried. I pulled off the lid...everything was just the way he was put in. I picked him up. He was in his snake bag not moving. I opened the bag he wasn't moving. I called his name and wiggled his legs and he responded...what a relief. I was in tears...well, it was more like blubbering...lol. Now, they had a three hour drive back to Missouri. When we got them home we put them in a tub to feed them, then put them in the tank side by side. I figured they would be terrified and hid, but no, they came right to the glass to us, and crawled in our hands when we reached in for them. So far, so good...I know this was stressful on them, so I hope they don't come down with health problems. I will post pics soon. Yippe! They made it! Wasn't cheap...approximately $1200, but they are worth it.

Wow, thanks for the update. Glad you were able to get things sorted out, I really have no idea why they make it so difficult (except maybe to profit from it).

Other Turtle Discussion :: Has anyone traveled from Europe to USA with turtles?

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