alexist

I am home. Zoe is not. You see, I called the vet yesterday about having the PETS certificate endorsed by a federal vet. "Oh, they do that at the airport." OK. I mention this to the agent at Cargo, and she says not a problem.

I get to the Animal Reception Centre at Heathrow and am told Zoe is fine but there's a slight problem and someone from Virgin will be round to talk to us. He comes round in a few minutes, and says there's a problem with the paperwork--it wasn't signed by a USDA vet. Luckily, this isn't a huge problem. They can have a vet come and sign it. The problem is that it will take a little while, and Neil had to go to work. However, they will hold your pet for up to 24 hours, and will do releases up to 22:00, so we can trek back out to Heathrow tonight.

I am now knackered, so shall be going to bed. More later :)

Zoe had to be dropped off at Virgin Atlantic Cargo yesterday. I checked JFK's website and couldn't find information on the cargo area. According to Virgin's website, they're in Building 140. OK. I forgot to get directions from Rob (who works next to JFK cargo and goes there all the time).

Now, there are 4 cargo areas at JFK, labelled A-D, and connected by a confusing loop of roads (the hallmark of John F Kennedy International Airport). The problem is that the buildings are in no real order. So we had to drive around. Naturally, we went to all 4. There does not seem to BE a building 140. However, we spotted a sign for Virgin Atlantic Cargo (at least the building signs tell you which airlines are in them). However, according to this sign, Virgin was either in the US Postal Service or the daycare centre. Doh. Drive back out, spot Virgin up the road, work out how to get there. It's building 78. It took us 45 minutes. As we got in, Neil phoned--Virgin Cargo were on the other line asking where I was!

Footnote: I just found the air cargo section on the Port Authority website (it's separate from the airport sections). I also found a map. According to this, Virgin is in Building 7 (not far from the USPS actually). I remember being told when I booked Zoe in that Virgin were moving, so I don't know if this is their new location, old location, or what!

and, postscript, I mixed up the numbers: the website says they're in Building 151. Not that it matters anyway, 151 is on the opposite side of the airport and is Swiss according to the PA!

BAA isn't any better with the website, but I asked a customs agent and he gave me directions. :-)

Zoe is here, despite a bit of drama. Apparently the vet didn't want to clear her to enter the UK, but after various phonecalls and things, she consented. I don't know the details. Someone claimed that they tried to phone several times, but I was sleeping right next to the phone and no one called but my mother.

We had to pay an extra 65 quid for all this. But we've got the cat. And we're knackered.

Zoe is exploring.

Microchip                               $50
Rabies shot                             $30
Rabies titer                            $40
Collection & shipping of sample         $40
PETS certificate, tick & tapeworm       $300
Shipping: Virgin Atlantic handling fee  $125
Shipping: Weight charge                 $225
Customs clearing / DEFRA                $390 (£215)
Vet fee at quarantine (*)               $120 (£65)

Total cost:                             $1,320

(* - unplanned, needed because of paperwork problem)

I'm feeling very broke now. I'm glad I only brought a cat. $225 was the MINIMUM weight charge, it's per kilo if you're over 14kg (including weight of kennel)!