What is the best way to move to London?

Best way to move dog to london? (Moving next year)?

• Next year (around April/May) my husband and I will be moving from California to London for a 6 month contract. We'd like to bring out 8 year old lab with us. He's all set up with the new 2012 UK pet scheme regulations so I'm more concerned with how to physically get him there. I've read to bring a pet into london you have to use freight and it can run nearly to $8,000. Can someone tell me what an optimal way to get him into London that isn't as costly? Or perhaps clarify how exactly this freight transportation works and its associated costs. I think I remember reading it can be more cost effective to fly into France or Spain in cargo and then take a train or something from there, but I can't find anything on such a itinerary. A few things are for certain, because he weighs 75 lbs he'll have to go in the cargo area, but I'd like him to be in the section that is pressure and temperature controlled (so far most of the airlines have this). I'd like to fly direct somewhere- no connections, I don't want to risk switching planes. Any help would be appreciated, I'd hate to leave him for six months and would like to find a way to make it work.

• Answer:

  Flying is the best option. If you take your pet to continental Europe you would have to bring him in by car, on a ferry. It'll cost more in time and money. Animals are forbidden on both the Eurostar and Le Shuttle trains, so that is not an option.