Transporting Rare Breed from UK to US: Precautions?

[JVidal]

While visiting in London, my sister-in-law said the first time she held our mini Lion lop in her arms, she knew instantly she would settle for no other breed than this lion maned, lop-eared, compact bundle of fluff for her and her daughter Heidi, who also fell in love with Levi.

Problem is, they live in New York! I advised her they would be much better off working with Lionheads or Lionlops for Heidi's 4H hobby (US version of Young Farmers Club?). Since mini lion lops aren't a recognised breed in America.

However they are spoiled and used to getting their way with money no issue whatsoever. So now I embark on the joyous adventure of helping them find the right buck and doe(s), and flying them on my next scheduled trip to NY or if not permitted, via non-stop pet cargo into JFK using an international service specialised in relocating pets and pulling the appropriate permits, quarantine, etc.

While they are doing their research on their end, such as deciding what colour(s) they want their foundation to be, I am scouting available bunnies. They said they are not picky, but to try to get one Blue-Eyed White and one Orange, and to make sure they bear pedigree paperwork.

What are the BRC recognised colours for Mini Lion Lops? I have already contacted a few LLUK breeders and they say all their colors they work with are BRC-recognised. Is there any way to make sure? Are there any colour exclusions I should not send them carriers for? Genetics is by no means my forte but I would worry if the doe(s) buck I send them are hiding an unpermitted recessive colour, that surfaces and sabotage their lines, with such a tiny gene pool unless they outcross in America.

Many thanks, all; Cheerio!

 

[Jack's-Jane]

While visiting in London, my sister-in-law said the first time she held our mini Lion lop in her arms, she knew instantly she would settle for no other breed than this lion maned, lop-eared, compact bundle of fluff for her and her daughter Heidi, who also fell in love with Levi.

Problem is, they live in New York! I advised her they would be much better off working with Lionheads or Lionlops for Heidi's 4H hobby (US version of Young Farmers Club?). Since mini lion lops aren't a recognised breed in America.

However they are spoiled and used to getting their way with money no issue whatsoever. So now I embark on the joyous adventure of helping them find the right buck and doe(s), and flying them on my next scheduled trip to NY or if not permitted, via non-stop pet cargo into JFK using an international service specialised in relocating pets and pulling the appropriate permits, quarantine, etc.

While they are doing their research on their end, such as deciding what colour(s) they want their foundation to be, I am scouting available bunnies. They said they are not picky, but to try to get one Blue-Eyed White and one Orange, and to make sure they bear pedigree paperwork.

What are the BRC recognised colours for Mini Lion Lops? I have already contacted a few LLUK breeders and they say all their colors they work with are BRC-recognised. Is there any way to make sure? Are there any colour exclusions I should not send them carriers for? Genetics is by no means my forte but I would worry if the doe(s) buck I send them are hiding an unpermitted recessive colour, that surfaces and sabotage their lines, with such a tiny gene pool unless they outcross in America.

Many thanks, all; Cheerio!

Personally I would not do it full stop. The list of welfare risks to the Rabbits/Kits is endless You may find that you are able to receive more constructive advice from the BRC themselves as I know for a Fact that some of their so called 'Registered Breeders' both Export and Import Rabbits for various Breeding programmes. This Forum is more 'Pro Rescue' and although I know of two members (who are not posting on here these days) have transported their Pet Rabbits by Air I am unable to give you any advice about it myself, as I have said, I'd never do it.

The contact details for The BRC and the info about Recognised colours for MLs can be found on here:

https://thebritishrabbitcouncil.org/contact.htm

 

[Orenoko]

Ditto what Jack's-Jane said. Transport, even on a short journey, can be incredibly stressful for rabbits, I would research into the risks of that and share it with your family member, and strongly advise them to look for some rescues of a similar breed in their home country.

 

[Lisa1981]

Personally I would never transport any animal so far. It is a lot of stress. With rabbits being so delicate I can only emagen a bad out come. Emagen being seperated from your mother being in an environment you don’t understand with alien sounds and smells and if flying the pressure changes and temp changes and you will only be feeling a tiny part of what a rabbit would.

 

[chloemurray]

Really would not recommend doing this :shock:

 

[willowflower27]

Agree with what's already been said that is an awfully long way to travel for rabbits it's unlikely you will find an airline that will allow you to fly then within the cabin and most airlines require health certificates etc to fly then in the hold and questions usually relate to temperature fluctuations the cargo hold can become very cold, I am sure there must be similar breeds on the US that they can pursue if it's something they really want however maybe they could look at a rescue,

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[binkyCodie]

it also worries me as there have been a few cases of rabbits being "mistakenly" put in the incorrect places in the cargo of a plane and dying.

I am not sure what is / isn't possible but when I looked at moving to the netherlands I was told that due to UK law animals can't fly in the cabin in nor out of the country, and for me that was a deal breaker as I don't trust others to look after my little ones. eventually we decided against moving at the moment, and would probably try once the rabbits have passed as its just too complicated. sounds horrible I know. a flight from the UK to NL is only an hour, including security and whatnot probably a max of three to arrive and get to our destination. not "too" much but I also worry this would be enough to end them, a flight from UK to US is going to be 5 hours or so? not including security times etc. I think that would be a bit too much for the rabbits.

my two are quite quiet after a 1 hour all around vet trip in the car with me, a busy airport etc I'd be worried it might tip them over the edge.

although it can be done, I personally would want the death of my own pets on my hands for trying to move them via plane. if I was to pursue moving I'd probably have to do it via car so at least it would be more "normal" for them however its not without its risks of course.

I'd also worry about relocation services as I looked into them myself and very few had expertise on rabbits, meaning that I don't believe they'd pick up on illness such has stasis very quickly, possibly leading to the death of the animal. most deal with dogs/cats ofc, and a dog/cat not eating is slightly worrying, in rabbits its full panic call the vet s.o.s sending flashing lights and flares :lol: only kidding but its very serious and that might not be picked up upon.

I hope you reach a conclusion, personally I'd say not to go ahead with it as others have echoed

 

[DemiS]

Aside from the issues other people have pointed out, and correct me if I'm wrong, but it sounds like they're only wanting two/three rabbits. You've mentioned the gene pool issue yourself, if they are trying to 'introduce' this breed to America with only a tiny number of rabbits they're going to end up hideously inbred. How much research have they done within America? I find it hard to believe that in such an enormous country no one has already tried to cross lionhead/holland lop/american fuzzy lop to 'create' a lionlop