Dog to Alaska

[oxn939]

Headed up to Anchorage, AK within the next year, and have a few questions about the move, mostly about pets. I have a super sweet 50 pound pit mix who will be coming with me. He's not a registered service dog, but I am a combat disabled veteran and have ESA paperwork for him. Looking at options, flying doesn't seem that cool- Delta won't put them on the same flight as you, and Alaska specifically says they have a restriction for pits. The ferry says they take pets, but their scheduling tool isn't working right now and they say dogs have to stay in the vehicle or their carrier... which would be like 4 days from Bellingham (the only L48 port) to Whittier. They also stop service in October apparently. Anyone else ever navigated this? Is driving the only path forward? Thanks in advance for any input!

 

[glass eye]

I’ve flown to Alaska numerous times from San Diego but never with my Labrador although I would love to. I’d pay for a seat for her if it was allowed. Too much time in a crate and too many connecting flights.
I drove to Alaska once so she could be with us.

 

[glass eye]

Ps.
The drive is incredible, it’s not an inconvenience, it’s an adventure.

 

[Kaitum]

A few months after I moved to AK, I flew my dog up via air cargo with Delta. I felt bad for putting her through that but it was about the quickest option. When I took the ferry, pets did have to stay in the vehicle. The ferry had a pet call three times a day where you were allowed to let your pet out of the vehicle for a bathroom break and to exercise them.

 

[oxn939]

I’ve flown to Alaska numerous times from San Diego but never with my Labrador although I would love to. I’d pay for a seat for her if it was allowed. Too much time in a crate and too many connecting flights.
I drove to Alaska once so she could be with us.

View attachment 375793

Man that looks awesome! Did you guys chase some Ptarmigan?

The ferry had a pet call three times a day where you were allowed to let your pet out of the vehicle for a bathroom break and to exercise them.

Yikes. Doing that for four days sounds like a long haul. Driving and flying sounding more and more like the two best options!

As far as getting reloading supplies up there, I assume Canada is a no go for powder and primers. Probably have to ship most firearms too I assume? Read a few threads on this before, but I know things have changed a lot in the wake of C19

 

[Salmonchaser]

I don’t know about Alaska’s pit bull restriction but I took my GSPs to King Salmon every year, 4 different dogs over 20 years. My brother took his Goldens and a few of our other guides brought their dogs. I was driving to Portland or Seattle depending on circumstances and then fly to Anchorage. Never had an issue and I found Alaska airlines folks very accommodating with getting the dogs checked in last minute. What is your dog mixed with? Get your vet to describe the dog as a Lab-mix!

 

[glass eye]

@oxn939
We sure did and her first ptarmigan retrieve was in the water. It flew across the Echooka River but I dropped it before it could make it across.
Also hunted Spruce and Sharptail Grouse near Tok. Then came home via Eastern Montana and shot more Sharptails, Hungarian Partridge and Sage Grouse.