I think I might be making a mistake...

[sirrahbed]

Oh Missy and Phred - how frustrating I called this number also:
Continental Cargo's 24 hour Pet Desk" at 1-800-575-3335 and spoke to "Christy"...
She told me that Japan does ship animals as CARGO from Japan to the US but that all arrangements must be made through a freight person in Japan. I pressed her for information as to is this freight person and Continental person or a Japanese company - OK she was gone quite awhile and came back a little frustrated but said that "only people from Narita" will accept the pet or the payment - it has to be done directly and that Continental there could give a number to call?? It is sounding like Continental is not willing to deal directly with PEOPLE trying to ship or even hget information. They would not even give Christy a price quote and the only thing she told me was that the price I had ($700-$1000) was correct - she was confused also, apologized but basically said the people in Japan could not help her either except to offer the number of someone (freight forwarder??) in Japan.

[Sirrahsim]

Nippon Express will work if we can't get Continental to cooperate... Continental would probably just save a little bit of $$ if they do indeed ship animals.

[sirrahbed]

OMEGOSH PHRED - you were still up at 4:30am THIS MORNING

I want to cry - THANK YOU for trying to get this info for Missy. You are a sweetheart to do this!! I missed this thread last night as I was doing what I call "worried and pi$$ed off" phone calls here. It sounds like you get some of the same conflicting replies. But MAYBE this supervisor will call you back - MAYBE I will get pi$$ed again and call again on a different shift - MAYBE Missy can get straight answers right from the horses mouth when she is there in person Sunday. It seems like an assertive MAN gets better answers??

Phred - thank you so, so much for taking this initiative on and making these calls as well. So frustrating I know But, ((((HUGS)))) to you for your work.

Even if Missy does have to use the middleman - maybe this is how they do it at that end - don't know for sure - but sure looks like Boomer will be flying to the USA He will have to learn cat-English (he is Japanese yanow!)

I have to go here but will check again late afternoon or evening to see if anything else shows up. Have to cry a little more - frustration I guess.....

[sasvermont]

One of our attorneys here at the office is travelling to Japan and back in early September. He will be there for meetings. He isn't the type to carry a pet around in a carrier, so I cannot offer his services. I wish I could help.

If I were you, I would ship the little devil (The Boomer) before I shipped myself and son that way the stress of having him leave and arrive in Ohio would be over with......

Missy, let me know if you need a little help with the $$$$$. If all of us sent in $5.00, you would have enough to pay for Boomer's trip.

Hope things run smoothly for you deary.

Don't stress too much about this, but I know it seems like you have no alternative. Think of it as nice stress. Is that possible!

I hope you decide to do what works for you and your family. Maybe you can find the Boom a new home, who knows. Cats can change homes VERY easily, much to our dismay sometimes. Remember Gabe? Remember Ti? Rehomed easily.

Let us know if you need to have a Boomer Trust Fund set up!

L,
SAS

[Corinna]

I would send to the Boomer fund if needed. That kitty and boy are bonded . Glad to hear he is coming one way or another. Maybe Mom could bring him as your Agent on her return. That way you would only have to worry about the baby.

[Cinder & Smoke]

... Buy your own Airplane!

Originally posted by sirrahbed

- MAYBE I will get pi$$ed again and call again on a different shift -

Don't get at the State-side Pet Folks - they really are *trying*!

NO phone call from a "Supervisor" as of 1:30 pm - so I called
the Pet Desk - again...

SUPER Friendly gal (Danetta) went off to find the Big Boss (George) -
who's at lunch.

She came back on and asked if she could try to help ...
I spilled the Tail of Grief & Woe ...

She offered three new Nuggets of Info ...

1) POSSIBLY the Continental Narita Air Cargo Ops are actually handled
by employees of Japan Airlines (under contract to Continental).
That SHOULD cause no grief, but MAYBE there is some confusion
developed by possibly different airline policies.

2) POSSIBLY the Japan phone number we've been using (476-326398)
is being answered by Passenger Reps and not real CARGO specialists ...

3) POSSIBY the Government of Japan "insists" upon a Freight Forwarder
being involved on Live Animal shipments ...

Dannie said SHE WILL find and "bug" George the Boss to get to
the bottom of the problem and get back to me.

I suggest we wait a while to see if George da Boss can dig up
a straight story that we can understand.

/s/ Phred

[Shady]

Originally posted by sasvermont
One of our attorneys here at the office is travelling to Japan and back in early September. He will be there for meetings. He isn't the type to carry a pet around in a carrier, so I cannot offer his services. I wish I could help.

If I were you, I would ship the little devil (The Boomer) before I shipped myself and son that way the stress of having him leave and arrive in Ohio would be over with......

Missy, let me know if you need a little help with the $$$$$. If all of us sent in $5.00, you would have enough to pay for Boomer's trip.

Hope things run smoothly for you deary.

Don't stress too much about this, but I know it seems like you have no alternative. Think of it as nice stress. Is that possible!

I hope you decide to do what works for you and your family. Maybe you can find the Boom a new home, who knows. Cats can change homes VERY easily, much to our dismay sometimes. Remember Gabe? Remember Ti? Rehomed easily.

Let us know if you need to have a Boomer Trust Fund set up!

L,
SAS

Count me in for the Bring Boomer Home Fund. I will gladly help.

Tess

[Donnaj4962]

I am just reading this thread.... sorry. how can I send money to help get the little guy home? I am willing to help, wlthough it will only be a meager amount. Wish I could do more. Please let me know. Thanks.

[moosmom]

Bring that baby home Missy!!! Ask the vet for a mild tranquilizer just in case. Tell the airlines you want to witness them putting Boomer in the plane. Like Michelle said:

I say bring that baby home Missy. He loves you all so much and you all love him. I think the flight may be a lot less stressful than the rehoming and if you have people that want to help then that's all the more reason.

[barncat]

I'm so glad it seems Boomer will be coming home with you.... I don't really know you but the way you write about him and the pictures show a very special bond. Perhaps he'd form a bond again if re-homed, but you are going through so much right now I am glad you specialcat will be with you...

[Sirrahsim]

PM's have been sent let me know if I forgot you

[Cinder & Smoke]

Originally posted by sirrahbed

Even if Missy does have to use the middleman -
maybe this is how they do it at that end - don't know for sure -
but sure looks like Boomer will be flying to the USA
He will have to learn cat-English (he is Japanese yanow!)

Sorry to be so late with this - trying to spring Mutt #34 in
West Virginia took some time...

The SHORT version ...

Big Boss George didn't feel the need to call me back ...

Underling named Jocelyn (the most UNpleasant Continental person
I've run into so far!) called and asked "What's your problem?"

Basic story from HER is:

Our Japanese Number (476-326398) is "supposed" to be answered
by their "Local Freight Forwarder/Handler - Phoenix Transport"

Those folks are "supposed to know" How to Handle a pet flight to the US.

Telling her that the Continental/Phoenix people told MULTIPLE
and conflicting stories ...
She wasn't impressed.

She DID offer the "Nirata Station Manager's" name =
Hiro Donoshita with a phone number of (476-324888)

I reminded her that SOME of the Nirata folks had told Missy she
needed a "Freight Forwarder" - WHY would their contracted
Freight Forwarder be sending a custommer to ANOTHER Freight Forwarder ??
... she started playing dumb like she didn't understand me ....



So going along what this new slant ...
She offered the name of:
"Nippon Express" - phone # (476-328011) ...
(now someone passed THAT number to me last night -
but they had no idea WHOSE number it was.)

According to helpful Ms Jocelyn -
Nippon Express is "Another Freight Forwarder" who can ship via Continental.

Ms Jocelyn was NOT in the mood to call Narita -
"Too early for them to be there".

Her final suggestions were:

1) Calll our "old" number at Narita and just ask to
"Book a Flight for my Kat to the USA" .. and seee where they lead you ... "supposed to be easy to do" sez Jocelyn.

2) Call Stn Mngr Hiro at (476-324888) and ask him what his version
of the procedure is.

3) Call Nippon Express at (476-328011) and ask THEM if they can
fly Boomer -
and what you need to do to make THEM happie!

I asked WHERE on the airport the Continental / Phoenix CARGO
Terminal was?? "OH, I have no idea" was her helpful reply!
"Anyone should be able to direct your friend to them".

About the ONLY thing she seemd certain of was that Boomer
would HAVE to be "processed" by a "Freight Handler" ...

MY Suggestions:

1) Try one more call to the "old" number (476-326398) and
just start out to "Book him a flight" ... and roll along with whatever
they tell you to do ...
IF it seems reasonable and they act like they know what they're talking
about - give your payment info and get an Airbill Number, Flight Info,
and a time & place to deliver him.

If THAT seems like it's not going well ...
"Drop IN" on Sunday and try too find SOMEone at the Air CARGO
facility and try to have an intelligent conversation ...

Remember - on Sunday there prolly won't be any really High-Up
Manager types working ...
But I seem to get more info from the low-level "flunkies"!

If Sunday doesn''t go well ... we'll try again next week.

Things you CAN do right now are:

1) VISIT the Base VET Clinic and ask if they have the required
A) "International Vet Certificate" and
B) A VET who is "authorized & approved" by the Japanese Government
to SIGN the form.
C) An approved "Rabies Certificate" to give you ...

The Airline and/or Japanese Government Agents are going to
DEMAND "Original Certificates" - not copies ...
and the Vet should "try" to sign legibly.

The Vet Certificate of Health has GOT to be signed no earlier than 10 days
before take-off ... don't get it till you know when Boom is
scheduled to fly.

Make copies of EVERYthing for your records!

While you're at Nirata on Sunday - ask for a flyer detailing the
"approved" flight carrier Boomer will need.

Sure am glad this is going so well ...
Can't remember when I've heard this much double-talk or
gotten this bad a run-around!

Keep the faith ...

/s/ Phred

[Sirrahsim]

YOU are my hero
As soon as I know when Boomer will be flying I can make an appt with the base vet. They can give me all of the necessary forms and they looked at his chart to make sure that all of his shots are up to date and everything. I will still need to have a health inspection done by the vets at Narita, but as long as I have the paperwork it shouldn't be a big deal and I can do it the same day.

I appreciate all of the running around that you are doing, but I'm really starting to think that just going Nippon Express is going to be the least hassle. They seem to be a respectable company and thanks to the generosity of PT'ers the cost isn't really an issue anymore. Shipping a pet is confusing

[moosmom]

Missy,

You said that Boomer will be in the carrier for 13 hours? All 6 of my cats were in carriers (doubled up in large carriers) for a 12 hours ride from Connecticut to Michigan. I think Boomer will do just fine.