If you are traveling by air, what should be your first step in arranging for travel with your pet? First weigh your pet then contact the airline with weight and dimensions of your pet; ask the airline representative about the specific airline requirements, policies, and guidelines for travel with pets and pet carriers.
Some airlines have restrictions on the type of pets that you can transport via plane, and all airlines require airline approved pet carriers (specific to their airline – don’t assume that all airlines have the same standard). Some airlines also determine whether or not your pet will be allowed to travel with you as carry-on luggage based on the weight of the pet. The larger the pet the greater the likelihood of the pet being relegated to the cargo area; for this reason, you should weigh your pet prior to contacting the airlines.
Evaluate the Airline
Do some research on the airlines. Journalist Christopher Elliot warns “Air travel can kill animals literally. Pets die on planes, particularly when they’re in the cargo hold" (2009). A website called Third Amendment publishes an Animal Airline Incident Report that annotates the number of pets that have been lost, injured, or that have died during transport by individual airlines. The Third Amendment website posts pertinent information, but the website's author Jol A. Silversmith cautions that some airlines may have a higher number of fatalities or incidents simply because those airlines may transport more pets. Carefully evaluate the airline’s safety record before entrusting your pet into the care of the airline personnel.
Airline Approved Pet Carrier - Mandatory
Traveling on an airline with a pet is a unique situation as you cannot dictate the type of pet carrier that you will use. You must follow the rules and regulations; nonetheless, you should ensure that your pet is comfortable in the prescribed carrier. Your pet should be able to stand up and move about to some extent.
Ensure that the pet carrier is large enough to accommodate your pet comfortably, and include toys, water, favorite blanket, and snacks for your pet. You should also try to give your pet time to become familiar with the carrier by placing him/her inside of the carrier prior to the actual flight.
How Much will it Cost?
Some airlines have pet carriers available for purchase in the event that a passenger does not have the appropriate airline approved pet carrier prior to the flight; however the price may be substantially more than if the carrier were purchased from a pet store or pet supply outlet. The cost of pet carriers can range from $30 to $100 and more. And the airline’s fee for transporting your pet can range up to $150. So, transporting your pet can become quite expensive.
Airline Pet Travel Tips
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) also has some tips and useful information about traveling with pets. Among the tips for air travel:
- Provide identification of your dog and if possible “include an embedded identification microchip."
- Consider not including your pet's name on its ID tag. How a pet responds to hearing its name used could be helpful in reuniting a lost or stolen pet with its rightful owner.
- Carry proof of rabies vaccination and a current health certificate when crossing state or international borders” (AVMA Brochure)
- Keep a visual image or your pet (photograph or digital image) to aid in identification of your pet should he/she get lost or misplaced
- “Before undertaking any trip, consult your veterinarian to ensure that all required vaccinations are up-to-date and to receive a certificate of veterinary inspection within ten days prior to travel by air” (AVMA brochure).
Weigh all the Pros and Con
Determine how much the trip will cost and remember the risks – your pet could escape the carrier, be misplaced, or may not even survive the trip. Reduce these hazards as much as possible. If your pet cannot travel with you as carry-on luggage, establish communication with the flight crew and gate agent.
The gate agent can inform the crew that they have a live animal in the cargo hold and can help ensure proper transfer of your pet. Also consult question and answer forums on the internet about pet travel. Pet owners can provide information and personal travel experiences.
If after weighing all of the pros and cons, you determine that you don’t want to risk the airline transporting your pet, one last alternative is available. Pet Airways is an airline that specializes in the transport of dogs and cats. All of the animals ride in the cabin. The airlines was only recently established (June 2009 was their first flight) and flight routes are limited. But the Pet Airway Airlines was established to respond to the concerns of pet owners, and success of the airline is dependent on meeting those needs.
Main Points of Airline Travel with Pets
- Determine weight and dimensions of your pet
- Contact the airline
- Select an airline approved pet carrier that comfortably accommodates your pet
- Provide your dog with appropriate identification
Evaluate the pros and cons and determine the best way for you and your pet to travel. Ultimately you want your pet to be safe and content.
References
American Veterinary Medical Association Brochure. (2009). What you should know about traveling with pets. Animal Health Brochure. AVMA.org
Elliot, C. (2009). Doggone airlines! 4 reasons pets probably shouldn’t fly. Travel tips. MSNBC.com
Bring Fido. Airlines and Travel with pets. BringFido.com
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