Airline for Pets

"So, what exactly do you DO?" That's a question we often receive here at PetRelocation.com. People who walk by our downtown Austin, TX office look in our window and wonder what we're up to, and visitors to our Facebook page check out all the cute pet pics and find themselves enamored with, but also a little confused about, all the furry faces they see.

The simple answer is, we move pets! New jobs, military assignments, or simple wanderlust often make domestic and international moves necessary for individuals and families, and who wouldn't want to bring their pets along on this new adventure? Pets are part of the family, and figuring out how to move them safely usually becomes a top (if not THE top) priority.

Import requirements vary from country to country and airlines operate with different rules, so pet travel can quickly become a complicated endeavor that presents a number of challenges and decisions to made. Handling a pet move yourself is sometimes possible but not always preferable, so this is where we come in.

Handing over a specialized task to experts is what we're used to doing for all kinds of things (think building a deck, repairing a car engine, or talking to a financial planner), and though you may never have stopped to think about it, organizing a pet relocation falls into the same category.

There you have it! Rescue organizations are great and we fully support pet adoptions, but our business is all about helping families move the pets they already have so that everyone can stay together during a time of change.

Find out more about the services offered by PetRelocation.com, read about the reasons people end up choosing to get help with a pet relocation, and remember if you ever need to plan a move, we'd be happy to offer our assistance!

As temperatures rise, it's typical for airlines to adjust their pet travel policies. We've updated you about a few summer embargoes thus far from British Airways and United, and Delta has just announced a detailed summer pet program, as well.

Here's what they have to say:

"At Delta Cargo we take great pride in safely transporting live animals throughout the world.  We don’t just ship dogs and cats; we transport everything from hamsters to snakes to chinchillas.  We realize pets are considered family members and it is important for us to provide the same level of care and respect for them as we do their owners."

Beginning May 14, Delta Cargo will launch its 2012 Summer Live Animal Program, which entails allowing them to accept animals for transport even when temperatures exceed 85F/29C. At participating hubs, one or more air conditioned vehicles will be available to bring pets to and from the airplanes in support of their safety.

There are a few exceptions:

-If the station does not have air conditioned vehicles, animals cannot be transported if the temperature exceeds 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

-Regardless of whether or not a hub is part of the Summer Program, snub-nosed dogs and cats will not be transported if the the temperature is greater than 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

Check out the list below to find out which airports are participating in the program, and remember that things can always change, so be sure to check with the airline/airport ahead of time if you'll be traveling with your pet this summer.

As always, don't hesitate to contact PetRelocation.com if you have any pet travel questions.

Delta Cargo 2012 Summer Live Animal Program

Name: Camilla
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Mix Breed
From: Oslo
To: London

How can I arrange my dog's travel myself, which airline should I use, and how expensive is it?

Thanks,

Camilla

Hi Camilla,

Thanks for your question! It's definitely understandable that you're researching your options and working on planning your pet move yourself, as pet travel can certainly be expensive no matter how you go about it. First, here are the pet import requirements for the UK (they've recently been relaxed so that's good news). Choosing a pet-friendly airline is very important, and we often fly with British Airways when we go to London. 

Additionally, on our blog we've offered some advice that may help you: how to control the costs of a pet move and pet travel lessons from a DIY pet move. Hopefully these will help to get you started. Please contact us if you have any more questions, and good luck with everything!

 

There are many details to consider when getting a pet ready for a move, but one of the most important things to remember -- especially during the warmer months -- is the importance of hydration.

Making sure your furry little travelers have enough water in their system before, during, and after a move can make all the difference when it comes to their overall well-being, and it will make it easier for them to bounce back to their normal selves after even the longest journey.

Here are a few general tips, including how to keep your pet hydrated, that will come in handy in the hours before take-off. Travel safely, everyone!

Keep your pets on a normal schedule. Feeding and exercise should be monitored in the days before the flight to keep pets feeling as calm and normal as possible. A couple of extra walks and more playtime than usual will tire them out and increase the chances of up-in-the-air nap time, and having water available in the hours beforehand will allow them to reach healthy levels of hydration.

Don't feed pets right before a flight. Even if there's a long journey ahead, it's better to avoid food for two hours or more before take-off so that an upset tummy will be less likely.

Say NO to sedation. You may have a generally nervous pet on your hands, but sedation can be dangerous and is not advised or allowed. The best you can do is make sure your pet is well-exercised and comfortable with the travel crate, so start working on these factors well in advance of the move.

Monitor water consumption. Give your pets water before they get into their crate, secure water dishes to the inside of the crate so they have access to fluids during the flight, and you can even freeze water in the travel dishes beforehand or bring ice cubes along so that as they melt your pet will have another chance to drink.

Check for temperature embargoes. Many airlines restrict pet travel during the summer months, so make sure you have clear answers about any changes there may be in order to avoid delays or problems.

Double check with your Pet Relocation Specialist that everything is in order. Things are probably well-covered after all of this, but it  never hurts to run down the list once more if you've hired someone to help you.

Keep track of your own stress level. Some people feel inclined to limit their pet's water intake to avoid accidents in the crate -- use your own best judgment here, and don't forget that it's fine to place an old towel or some shredded newspaper in the bottom of the crate to absorb messes. Also, remember that air travel tends to dehydrate humans, too. If your pets are thirsty when they land, simply help them rehydrate as you would do yourself and focus on helping them to settle into their new surroundings.

Please contact PetRelocation.com if you have any more questions about traveling with pets.

Congratulations to Marshmallow for being named our Pet Move of the Month! This Dalmatian mix traveled from Maryland to the UK when her owners were called overseas, and we were happy to help them navigate the process during the hectic time that military families must so often face.

This was the family's first pet move and they had all the typical concerns (safety, paperwork, costs), but in the end everything turned out well and Marshmallow is enjoying life in the UK with all her favorite people. Her owner Tarnna, was kind enough to share the full story with us below. Read on to find out more about Marshmallow's military move!

What were some of your concerns going into the move?

We didn't want to put Marshmallow through the stress of a long flight only to arrive and have to be quarantined, that would have been devastating for her and our family.

Another big concern for me was how much is was going to cost. Moving internationally is not cheap, even if the military pays for some of it, so adding in this cost was a worry.

Did anything surprise you about the pet moving process?

I was shocked by the price to move a pet. Not just with this company, but every company I contacted and even trying to do it on my own. It is not an inexpensive thing to do and it made me change my thought process about military members who move around.

Most of the time military families will just give up their pets when they PCS, and I could never understand why until now. Luckily for us we had saved for emergencies and this seemed like a good time to use it.

Another thing that surprised me was how dismissive of my concerns some companies were -- luckily not this one -- but many that I contacted were and even the airlines directly. Getting these types of responses from other places is another reason I went with PetRelocation.com, everyone seemed genuine and like they actually cared that our animal got to us safe and sound.

How is Marshmallow adjusting to her new home?

Marshmallow loves our new home, just like we do! When she first arrived she was a bit scared and confused but she quickly settled in. The only thing that has changed is she has a bigger back yard to run around in, which keeps her happy. She has actually lost some weight from all the extra playtime she is getting. She was always a pretty laid back, good dog and nothing has seemed to change that.

How is life in the UK? Is it a dog-friendly place to be?

The UK seems to be a pretty dog-friendly place to be. We haven't searched out any dog parks yet, but we have taken her hiking, where she was loved on by everyone that passed us. Other than that we have only been here a little over a month so there aren't too many stories.

What advice do you have for people who might be planning a move?

To other people who are moving I would say that they need to understand that if they want their pet to arrive in good condition it will cost them, but in the end it is so worth it. I would also say to people to go with their gut feeling about a company who is moving their pet; if you get a not-so-good feeling there is probably a reason. They are your pet and they are a part of your family and they deserve to be as comfortable through the moving process as you do!

Anything else you'd care to share?

At first I was put off by the cost, but after dealing with other companies and the airlines I realized that I could not do this on my own and saw that PetRelocation.com was actually the best company to go with. Like I said earlier, everyone I dealt with from my first call to the gentlemen who brought her to our home in England seemed like they really cared about her and animals in general, and they didn't put my concerns on the back burner. There are good people working for this company!

Once I decided to hire Pet Relocation.com it was like a huge stress filled ball was lifted off me. I had enough stress just trying to get me, my daughters and my house ready all while worrying about my husband, who was still gone. I felt defeated for awhile in the process and was feeling I could not get her here, but once I hired this company I knew it would be okay.

That may sound dramatic but this was the most stressful move I have had during my husband's military career, and we have moved a lot. Nothing was working out and everything seemed to be happening to hinder our move, so when the things with the dog worked out it brought some much needed sunshine. I enjoyed all the people who helped us through the process, everyone had their part, and they did it well. We are planning on using PetRelocation.com for our next move and I have referred my sister and brother-in-law to PetRelocation.com to move their dogs during their next move. They are also in the military and coming to the UK in November. 

Hopefully I didn't get too mushy, but we are very grateful for everything this company has done. We really feel like everyone went above and beyond and worked with us and their team to get us our dog!

Take a look at the top pet news stories of the week!

Interesting --  A Pet Owner's Bill of Rights for Airline Travel.

More about Foreign Services pet travel and how things have become a little easier lately.

Changing hearts and minds re: Pit Bulls and other banned breeds.

Speaking of Pitties, United has relaxed their dog breed policy effective immediately.

Big question: should your dog be watching TV?

Don't let your pet be overweight! Fit pets have better lives and make better travelers, too.

Pet travel info from Gadling.com. Oh look, it's us!

We also offered a few pet travel tips over on Trupanion.com's blog.

Have a lovely weekend!

Name: Kathy
Pets' Names: Dolce' and Mollie
From: Rhode Island
To: California
 

Our family (pets included of course) was being relocated from Rhode Island to Southern California, a 3,000 mile trip to take place at the end of Aug. 2011. After checking several animal-friendly airlines (most of which only accept smaller animals that can be in the cabin under a seat.), we decided to fly Continental.

The animals had to be dropped off at a special holding area, and from there they are driven in a van to the plane. We were able to watch them being loaded into the air-regulated cargo area and a stewardess assured us they were on board. At the end of the flight our transportation was delayed. The people at the animal section made a call to our cell phone to let us know the animals arrived safely and were waiting to be picked up. After all the worry of having to have the animals on such a long flight, we picked up Dolce' and Mollie at the animal pick-up area.

They were well cared for throughout the whole process. We made it a point to put tags on their crates indicating live animals inside, along with their names on the crates in several places so that the handlers could call them by name. A big shout out for PetRelocation.com for getting our family from one side of the U.S. to the other!

Great news for pet travelers of a certain breed...

United Airlines has announced that they will now accept several dog breeds that have previously not been permitted, including American Staffordshire Terriers and Pit Bull Terriers. Effective immediately, dogs six months or older and weighing more than 20 pounds who meet the proper kennel requirements (kennels meeting Container Requirement #82) and show no signs of aggressiveness will be allowed to fly.

We previously reported that United's banned breed policy was being protested against by pet owners and various dog advocacy groups, and the IPATA Board of Directors also requested that United modify their policy. United is still in the process of updating their website to reflect this change, but you can take a look at the bulletin below to find out all the details.

As always, please contact PetRelocation.com with any pet travel questions.

United Airlines Acceptable Animal Breeds for Transport (Revised 4/2012)

Name: Joe
Number of Pets: 2
Pet Type: Canine
Pet Breed: Shih-tzu
From: Philippines
To: Oklahoma

What do I need to do to get my pets to the US from the Philippines???

Thanks,

Joe

Hi Joe,

Thank you for contacting us. Here are the pet import requirements for the US. In addition to following these guidelines, our advice is to start preparing well in advance and also choose a pet-friendly airline.

Please contact PetRelocation.com if you have any questions or if you'd like a free quote. Good luck!

 

Happy Friday, everyone! Take a look at the pet news of the week to see if you missed anything...

Twenty politicians with their pets.

Wasn't expecting to type these words today: the secret lives of avalanche rescue cats.

This rescue pup ran a marathon with his owner.

Things modern pet owners do: turn to the internet to help find lost dogs.

Airline updates are important to keep track of: summer pet travel embargoes.

A few tips for how to prepare your pets for spring.

Did you know that United has expanded to include an IAD/Manchester flight that will even accommodate pets?

It's not quite summer yet, but it's never a bad idea to be aware of news like this if you have a pet move in your future.

As temperatures rise many airlines change their flight policies for pets, so we'll do our best to keep you informed as these alterations are announced.

As of now, here's what we know about summer pet embargoes:

Keep in touch, and feel free to contact PetRelocation.com at any time with your pet travel questions.

Name: Cecilia
Number of Pets: 5
Pet Type: Cats
Pet Breed: One British Short Hair, One Persian, Three Domestic Short Hair
From: Hong Kong
To: Bangkok, Thailand

Is there a quarantine for Thailand? Can my pets travel on the same aircraft as me?

Thanks,

Cecelia

 

Hello Cecelia,

Here are the pet import requirements for Thailand (and you can also find more info here). If all requirements are met there shouldn't be a quarantine.

As far as air travel, we recommend choosing a pet-friendly airline and in that case it's not necessary to travel on the same flight. You may end up hiring someone to help with your cats' passage, but just know that it's typical for pet owners to take separate flights.

Please contact us if you'd like a free quote or if you have any more questions. We'd be happy to assist you with your upcoming pet move!

We've been following the news and developments accompanying the United/Continental Airline merger, and over the past few weeks United has been following a path of general expansion.

Beginning on May 1, Manchester will become the 15th transatlantic destination served from the hub of Dulles International Airport (IAD). Also on May 1, Doha will become the fourth Middle East destination served by United Airlines.

In terms of pet travel, Manchester will be open to pet shipments immediately and Doha is expected to be animal-accessible at a later date.

We'll keep you updated with all the latest pet transportation news, so keep in touch!

(via TripAdvisor.com)

Here's some pet travel news that may be relevant to members of the Foreign Service. When Foreign Service travelers cannot check their pets as accompanied baggage, they'll now be able to take advantage of government rates of a non-contract airline that accepts pets as checked baggage. This exemption is effective immediately and applies to all airlines participating in the City Pair Program (CPP).

Recent news regarding the United/Continental merger has left many parties, including Foreign Service Officers, feeling worried about complications and increased costs. It seems that none of these new rules are set in stone, however, and adjustments continue to be announced.

Check the American Foreign Service Association pet page on their website for more information, and keep following us for more updates as they're implemented.

Pet transportation services aren't just limited to moving a dog or cat across the country when work or military duty calls the family to a new place. Along with technological advances and emerging international developments, transporting animals is a service in demand, leaving airlines and freight companies in the position of stepping up to the challenge or being left behind.

This recently published Bloomberg article goes into greater detail about Lufthansa, KLM, and the other companies who deal with shipping animals. It's pretty fascinating to see how trends have been changing recently and how these businesses are learning to handle exotic moves.

Want to know more? Here are a few details from the article, and you can read the whole thing here.

-Last year Lufthansa's Frankfurt facility handled 110 animals of various kinds (including 80 million tropical fish and 300 tons of worms).

-Lufthansa usually transports around 14,000 dogs and cats and 2,000 horses in a year.

-Animal freight makes up about one to two percent of Lufthansa's total cargo revenue.

-One of the most unconventional cargo shipments on record was a plane filled with dogs and cats evacuated from Lebanon following a missile strike.

-Before they fly out of Frankfurt, animals are inspected by up to 24 different vets.

-Some freighters are equipped with up to four different temperature zones, meaning that one flight can safely and comfortably carry warm-blooded and cold-blooded animals (think horses and penguins, for example).

-Large fish, dolphins and poisonous reptiles are not accepted for shipment by Lufthansa due to safety concerns.

Hannelore Foerster/Bloomberg

Here are a few pet travel news links for you. Happy Friday, pet lovers!

Pet travelers flying with Alaska Airlines should be pleasantly surprised at this news.

Pet business news: Rover.com has raised $3.4 million with the goal of being the Airbnb for dogs.

National Pet Day + The New York International Auto Show = Pet safety tips and fun for everyone.

A kennel cough vaccine for dogs can now be administered orally.

The Mighty Texas Dog Walk was a great success!

Foreign Service officers aren't too happy about United's new pet policies.

A loose bat on an airplane inspired officials to track down passengers due to rabies fears.

More luxury hotels are going pet-friendly these days.

Karma wishes everyone a happy weekend