I DID IT!!!
We are now all safe in Paris, but let me relate how everything went.
I flew with Air France. The people are very nice, but I was unable to get consistent information.
Paperwork:
I had the health Certificate done by my vet, 3 weeks before departure and the European Certificate, also done at my vet, also 3 weeks before departure.
I decided to have the papers endorsed bt the USDA vet at JFK, one week before departure, thinking that if something was not ok, I would still have time to correct it.
I had been told that the USDA vet had to fill out a form 7001 (International health certificate), but the JFK vet said that I didn't need it, because Air France doesn't require it.
I must say that I stressed until the day of departure, since I didn't get the same infos everywhere.
Stickers:
For example, I have been told that I would get the "Animal Alive" stickers at the check-in counter.
Every other airline I checked had such stickers, but NOT Air France and for the simple reason that they don't require them.
I spent so much time trying to find them and then, they don't require them!!!!
I am still glad I had them all over the carriers.
I also had the name of the cat and contact phone numbers written in HUGE letters on each carrier.
Check-In:
They asked me to come 3 hours before departure, which I did, but then, they tell me that it was too early to get the cats and to assign me a sit (???) and to come back an hour later (???!!!!).
She checked that the rabies was up to date and that is more or less all.
I was very relieved that the paperwork was ok.
So an hour later I went to the check-in shelter they told me to go to, waited until they called my name.
Then they said that if I wanted I could wait with the cats a little bit before they take them to the custom area.
Which I did. Then they came to pick them up and had me coming with them, which was nice.
I had a security belt around each carrier, which was not a problem. I said good-bye and then had to go through the security line.
In the meantime, I see that it was the "final call" for my flight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I had to pass to the front of the line and got my flight, but wasn't happy about all that last minute stress!!!!
At the arrival airport:
I asked at the check-in, in the plane, at the plane exit where I would get the cats in Paris and no one seemed really to know!!!!!
The general opinion was with my luggages.
When you see how the suitcases jump onto the rolling mat, it was not very reassuring!!!
I waited, got my luggages but no cats to see.
Luckily I had met at JFK a young man, a cat lover, who waited with me at CDG (Paris airport) until I got my cats back.
While I waited with the luggages, he went through the airport and discovered the 2 carriers alone ion the middle of the area, close to the custom.
ANYONE could have taken them!!!
I was furious!!!!!
Pastel seemed ok, even showed her little face - at the check-in she disappeared under the covers and I had to lift the carrier from time to time to be sure she was still in it!
Fripou was shaking and I am not sure why. When we landed it was below 32°F and the plane was very far from the terminal, so maybe he got cold.
I put the 2 carriers on top of the 2 suitcases and we walked to the customs.
The "funny" thing was that It was the young man with 1 small suitcase they stopped and not me.
I went though the custom without having to show any paperwork!
It was very surprising to me and I don't know if this is usual or, because it was 6AM, they didn't wanted to have to deal with animals ...
Anywayyyyy ... this is all behind us and I am very glad it is.!
Patricia, now in Paris with 2 happy kitties!!!
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BTW - I'm the "mom" of two 8-yr olds.)
