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Tips for Safe Pet Air Travel
HSUS
The Humane Society of the United States recommends that you do not
transport your pet by air unless absolutely necessary. Based on
reports we receive from pet owners, animals continue to be killed,
injured, or lost on commercial flights each year. Our beloved pets
can face risks including excessively hot or cold temperatures, poor
ventilation, scarcity of oxygen, and rough handling when flown in
the "cargo" area of a plane.
The airline industry treats live animals as mere baggage,
transporting them in cargo holds not designed for life support. In
the past, airlines have neither responded appropriately to reports of
animal injuries, nor provided accurate information to the flying
public.
In response to the problems associated with pet air travel, and lack
of good data on those problems, Congress passed the Safe Air Travel
for Animals Act in April 2000, for which The HSUS and its members
lobbied extensively. The U.S. Department of Transportation adopted
regulations for this law in 2003. Many airlines have responded to
this law by implementing restrictions on accepting pets as cargo.
Before you make plans to travel with your pet, follow these
suggestions:
If you plan to bring your pet on vacation, consider driving instead
of flying. Neither Amtrak nor Greyhound allows pets.) If this isn't
possible, consider leaving your pet behind under the care of a pet
sitter or boarding kennel.
If you are relocating across the country, consider using a company
whose primary business is to transport animals.
Remember, any inconvenience you might experience while researching
and looking for safe travel options for your pet is minor when
weighed against the risk of losing your companion forever. Above all,
when making travel decisions, please consider what is best for your
pet.
If you must transport your pet by air, your first decision is whether
you can take him or her on board with you, which is your best option.
If your pet is a cat or small dog, most airlines will allow you to
take the animal on board for an additional fee. To find out about
this option, call the airline well in advance of your flight, because
there are limits to the number of animals allowed in the cabin area.
When you contact the airline, be sure to find answers to these
questions:
Does the airline allow you to take your cat or small dog on board
with you?
If that option isn't available to you, does the airline have any
restrictions on transporting your pet as cargo?
Does the airline have any special pet health and immunization
requirements?
Does the airline require a specific type of carrier? Most airlines
will accept either hard-sided carriers or soft-sided carriers, which
may be more comfortable for your pet, but only certain brands of soft-
sided carriers are acceptable to certain airlines.
If your pet must travel in the cargo hold, you can increase the
chances of a safe flight for your pet by following these tips:
Use direct flights. You will avoid the mistakes that occur during
airline transfers and possible delays in getting your pet off the
plane.
Always travel on the same flight as your pet. Ask the airline if you
can watch your pet being loaded and unloaded into the cargo hold.
When you board the plane, notify the captain and at least one flight
attendant that your pet is traveling in the cargo hold. If the
captain knows that pets are on board, he or she may take special
precautions.
Don't ever ship pug-nosed animals such as Pekingese, Bulldogs, or
Persians in the cargo holds. These breeds have short nasal passages
that leave them especially vulnerable to oxygen deprivation and heat
stroke.
If traveling during the summer or winter months, choose flights that
will accommodate the temperature extremes. Early morning or late
evening flights are better in the summer; afternoon flights are
better in the winter.
Fit your pet with a collar that can't get caught in carrier doors.
Affix two pieces of identification on the collar-- a permanent ID
with your name and home address and telephone number, and a temporary
travel ID with the address and telephone number where you or a
contact person can be reached.
Affix a travel label to the carrier with your name, permanent address
and telephone number, final destination, and where you or a contact
person can be reached as soon as the flight arrives.
Make sure that your pet's nails have been clipped to protect against
their hooking in the carrier's door, holes, and other crevices.
Give your pet at least a month before your flight to become familiar
with the travel carrier. This will minimize his or her stress during
travel.
Do not give your pet tranquilizers unless they are prescribed by your
veterinarian. Make sure your veterinarian understands that the
prescription is for air travel.
Do not feed your pet for four to six hours prior to air travel. Small
amounts of water can be given before the trip. If possible, put ice
cubes in the water tray attached to the inside of your pet's kennel.
A full water bowl will only spill and cause discomfort.
Try not to fly with your pet during busy travel times such as
holidays and the summer. Your pet is more likely to undergo rough
handling during hectic travel periods.
Carry a current photograph of your pet. If your pet is lost during
the trip, a photograph will make it much easier for airline employees
to search effectively.
When you arrive at your destination, open the carrier as soon as you
are in a safe place and examine your pet. If anything seems wrong,
take your pet to a veterinarian immediately. Get the results of the
examination in writing, including the date and time.
Do not hesitate to complain if you witness the mishandling of an
animal—either yours or someone else's—at any airport.
If you have a bad experience when shipping your animal by air, please
fill out our online airline complaint form.
http://files.hsus.org/web-files/PDF/PETS_complaint_form.pdf
Copyright © 2006 The Humane Society of the United States. All rights
reserved.
Posted on SHARE Yahoo group Aug. 25, 2006