ADVANCED PREPARATION

Advanced reservations, proper crating, and ensuring that your pet is healthy enough to travel are the most important considerations in preparing to travel by air with your pet.  Cats and very small dogs can usually travel under your seat in a suitable container.  Make your reservations well in advance, since most carriers permit only a limited number of animals per cabin on a first come, first serve basis.  If your pet does not accompany you in the cabin, he or she can fly in the baggage compartment.  Check with your air carrier for rates and their specific rules and requirements.

AIR TRAVEL RULES

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has a complete list of regulations governing the transport of animals by air.  The main rules that apply to transporting pets in the baggage compartment are as follows:

• There is a minimum age limit of eight weeks for dogs and cats. The animal should be delivered to the carrier not more than four hours before departure time, and shipments should be planned to minimize flight time and stopovers.

• Kennels must be of sturdy material.  Hard plastic carriers are best.  The crate must provide plenty of cross ventilation, with projecting rims on the outside to keep airflow from being blocked by adjacent cargo.  It must be leak proof on the bottom, and contain litter or absorbent bedding.  There must be a way to provide food and water.  Your pet should be able to stand up, turn around and lie down comfortably.

• The crate must have handles and be clearly marked “LIVE ANIMAL” with arrows indicating the “TOP”.  It should be labeled with your name and address, as well as the pet’s name and destination.  Copies of the health certificate and other required travel documents should be securely attached to the outside.  For longer trips, you may need to provide food and water, along with feeding instructions.  Talk with your carrier about their specific requirements for the trip you are planning to take.

• A certificate of health completed by your veterinarian must accompany your pet.  The certificate usually needs to be issued within 10 days of travel, however you should contact your carrier for their specific requirements.  To get a health certificate, your animal needs to be examined by your veterinarian, who will then issue the health certificate.  You pet may need an updated Rabies vaccination depending on your destination. 

PRE-FLIGHT CHECK LIST

• Withhold food for six to twelve hours before the flight.

• Plan your trip with as few stops, layovers and transfers as possible.  Non-stop is best.

• Avoid traveling in extreme temperatures.  This is particularly important in the brachycephalic breeds of dogs (Pugs, Bulldogs, Boxers, Boston Terriers, etc.) and cats (Persians, Himalayans) where their natural breathing difficulty could be made much worse by the stress of transport.  During certain times of year, airlines will not allow animals to travel in cargo due to the extreme air temperatures that may be encountered along the travel route.

• Only travel with animals that are in excellent health and that have no significant underlying health problems.  You should discuss with your veterinarian whether your animal is healthy enough to travel by air.

USING SEDATIVES

Too much sedation has been found to be the most frequent cause of animal death during airline travel, being involved in almost 50% of the investigated cases.  Little is known about the effects of sedation on animals that are under the stress of altitude and temperature extremes that occur during air transport.  Additionally, some animals react unpredictably to sedatives.  Therefore, we do not recommend the routine use of sedatives or tranquilizers for animals being transported by air.  You should discuss with your veterinarian if you think your animal needs sedatives for air travel.

For general pet travel guidelines from the USDA, go here:
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ac/pettravel.html

Health Certificates

Go to the following link: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/sregs/

This will help you determine what the vaccination requirements are for traveling with your pet.