Taking Your Pet on a Plane – Air Travel for Dogs and Cats
Planning to take your pet on vacation with you? If you are traveling long distances, you may be considering taking your pet on a plane. Nowadays, this is a more common occurrence, as an estimated 76 million cats and dogs travel each year! This has led to many more pet-friendly accommodations for you and your furry friends, so do some research and extra planning to make sure you find the best option to fit your family’s travel needs.
If you are thinking of traveling with your pet, make sure you talk to someone at the airlines about their pet policies before booking your flight. Most airlines will allow you to take dogs or cats, but may have restrictions on their size and age. If you have a small cat or dog, you may be allowed to carry them on, but if your pet is larger they will have to travel with your checked luggage. In either case, there will be fees associated with your pet’s travel, so ask about them in advance so you are not be surprised at check-in time. Many airlines limit the number of pets they will allow on any particular flight. So make sure you book a flight that will be amenable to you and your pet’s needs. If possible, try to book non-stop flights during the week. If this is not possible, then make sure your layover times are long enough that you can let your pet out of its carrier to get some exercise, something to drink, and use the bathroom.
When booking your flights, always be conscious of the heat and how it will affect your pet. Travel during the early morning or late evening in warmer months and during the day in cooler months. The airlines restrict pet travel in extreme temperatures; so find out what the cut-off is for each airline (as they are all slightly different). You may have to have a certificate that verifies your pet’s ability to acclimate to cooler temperatures if you are traveling to a city colder than 45 degrees F. During hot summer months, many airlines have restrictions for particular breeds of dogs and cat that easily succumb to heat stroke. Always check with the airlines beforehand to make sure you understand their restrictions in full before booking your flight. Regardless of where you are traveling (domestic or international), it is a good idea to bring health certificates and vaccination documents for your pet, as they are usually required wherever you may choose to go. Your pet may also have to remain in quarantine for some time, especially if you are traveling abroad. Check with the consulate or embassy if you have any questions on the rules and regulations for the specific destination you are planning to visit.
With the increase in pet travel over the years, there has also been an increase in pet-related accidents from travel. There are definitely things you can do to reduce the likelihood that your pet is injured. If your pet will be traveling with your checked luggage, make sure they are in a hard-sided carrier that is explicitly labeled (Caution: Live animal and This Side Up will suffice). If your pet is traveling with you, make sure they are in a small carrier that they can be stowed under your seat. Also, do what you can to ease your pet’s travel anxiety. Get them used to the carrier before travel time and give them something familiar, whether it’s their favorite toy or a shirt with your smell on it. Make sure their carrier is padded and consider lying some pee pads down for your dog (or disposable litter boxes for your cat) in case they have to go. Limit their food intake 24 hours before flight and take them for a long walk before travel time. Never use any type of sedative without first talking to your vet! And lastly, be prepared. Carry a first aid kit with some basic medical supplies in case something does happen to your pet, and bring the phone number of your vet and the national poison control center, just in case. And always have current ID tags in case you were to get separated.
If for some reason you are hesitant about taking your pet with you on your airline, there are other options. Pet Airways will be offering flights as early as July 2009. This airline is strictly for pets, and offers a comfortable way for them to travel. You can drop them off as early as 72 hours before their flight (but no later than 2 hours), and they will care for your pet until flight time. They make sure all pets get frequent potty breaks, and that your pet carriers are secure before take off. During flight, a pet attendant makes his rounds every 15 minutes to check on your furry friend. When your pets land, they are taken for another potty break and are then available for pick-up. If you have a dog and you really want to travel with your canine companion, consider becoming a member of DogTravel Company. This company helps you find ways to travel with your dog, whether you choose to travel by plane, boat, train, or auto. They look for travel arrangements that allow you to be with your dog, as well as hotels or cruise lines amenable to your dog traveling needs. Pet Airways or DogTravel Company may fit your needs if the regular airlines just don’t quite meet them. Bottom line: do your research to find the best pet travel option for your family. In today’s pet traveling world, you are almost guaranteed to find what you’re looking for.
