 | | Make
sure to carry a photo of your pet with you while traveling by air, just in case
your pet is lost. |
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 by far the 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.
Most airlines
provide information about transporting pets with them. 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.
- Do
not ship pug-nosed dogs or cats such as Pekingese, Chow Chows, and Persians in
the cargo hold. These breeds have short nasal passages that leave them vulnerable
to oxygen deprivation and heat stroke in cargo holds.
- 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. (CONTINUE...)
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