Dog Air Travel

 

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: Nathan
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Labrador Retriever
From: Buenos Aires, Argentina
To: Denver, Colorado

 

My puppy is three months and two weeks old. She is just now able to have her rabies vaccination. Will she be able to fly in two weeks if I get her vaccinated? What else needs to be done to bring her home with me?

Thanks,

Nathan

 

Hi Nathan,

Thanks for the question! These are the pet import requirements for the United States. In addition to the rabies vaccine you'll need a health certificate, and other than that we advise that you spend some time choosing a pet-friendly airline that places a priority on pet safety. (United has a PetSafe program, for example.) Four months should be a reasonable age to fly a dog if everything is handled correctly.

Feel free to contact us if you have questions about any of this, and good luck with your trip!

 

 

We've been following the progress and after effects of the recent Continental/United merger, and it looks like the changes aren't favorable to every kind of pet traveler.

On the positive side, United has adopted Continental's PetSafe program, which has been in place for years and has been a model for the pet air travel industry. United now bans nine dog breeds from flying, however, so owners of Pit Bull Terriers, Staffordshire Terriers, Cane Corsos and a few others are prohibited from flying with United.

United originally made a change regarding cargo classifications that would have made pet travel much more expensive for some travelers (primarily military families), but they have since eased those rules in reply to the backlash the announcement inspired.

Thus far the "dangerous breed" rules remain in effect, but many pet owners have come together in protest through an online petition at Change.org. United is the only airline with such restrictions so owners of these breeds do have other options, but this remains a divisive topic in the pet world.

Changes is often in the air when it comes to pet travel, so remember to start planning your trips well in advance of departure, do as much research as you can, and check with airlines directly to find out about the most up-to-date rules regarding fees, breeds, and seasonal procedures.

Also, remember that PetRelocation.com is here to help! Contact us anytime for a free quote, or give us a call if you'd like to find out more about our services from one of our Pet Relocation Specialists.

Keep in touch as we continue to monitor this issue and other pet travel updates.

 

Sparta, a Pitt Bull we moved to Guam last year.

Name: Stacy
Pet's Name: Neely
From: Connecticut
To: England

 

When I found out we were moving to England I was so excited and overwhelmed all at the same time! My biggest concern with the move was being able to bring my dog with me. The thought of leaving Neely behind was not an option, and the thought of transporting her overseas terrified me. At first, I was determined to get all of Neely's travel documentation and flight plans in order myself. However, with all the other stresses of moving and the possibility of me not being able to fly out with her, my husband decided it was time that I get some help.

My husband's employer had given me Cara's contact information so that I could talk to her to see what PetRelocation.com could do to help me. After the first phone conversation I instantly felt comfortable. Cara and Ashley had both walked me through every single step that I needed to take in order to get my dog over to England. They checked and double checked every piece of paperwork and answered any questions that I may have had. They kept on top of all the changes that were being made by DEFRA, and notified me immediately as to what those changes were. They made sure that Neely's crate was appropriate for travel, and even mailed us out a welcome pack!

When I found out that I needed to go over to England before I could get Neely out there, Ashley worked with my father to complete her travel requirements. On the day of Neely's travel, she was picked up at my parent's home and brought to the airport. Ashley had notified me when Neely was up in the air and gave me a confirmation number so that I could track her. They also kept in touch with my father to let him know the same. During her travel they made sure she had a pre and post- flight potty break as well as water and clean bedding. Once Neely cleared customs they called me to let me know that she would be delivered to me shortly.

When Neely arrived she acted as though she had been on one big adventure! She was so excited to be at her new home, and most importantly she arrived safely, clean, and happy!

It's now been close to three weeks since she arrived and she has settled in without a hitch! PetRelocation.com has made this moving experience stress and worry free. Cara and Ashley always took the extra step to make sure that everything was done right and that Neely would arrive home safely. I would absolutely recommend them to anyone who has to transport a beloved pet and I would certainly use their services again in the future!

Thanks again Cara and Ashley!!!

 

Name: Stephanie
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Lab
From: Florida
To: Australia


Is there a good website that reviews/ranks specific airlines for history in moving pets as cargo? Just when I think I have figured out our dogs travel I Google and end up getting horror stories!

Are there any airlines that PetRelocation.com suggest to use/not use?

Thanks,
Stephanie




Hello Stephanie,


You're right to place a lot of importance on this decision. Choosing a pet-friendly airline is one of the key parts of planning a successful pet move. We definitely prefer some airlines over others, as some have made an effort to follow pet-safe programs and made pet safety a priority.

We actually wrote a whole series of on our blog about pet-friendly airlines (hopefully you'll take a look!), and for Australia we generally choose Qantas and Air New Zealand.

We'd be happy to offer more specialized advice to you if you need it -- you can fill out our free quote form or give our office a call at your convenience. Good luck!

Name: Wendy
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog (puppy)
Pet Breed: Westie
From: London
To: Vancouver


I am trying to bring a three to four month old pup from London to Vancouver, Canada in the cabin with me. If I fly from London via Frankfurt or Paris, do I have to comply with their Pet Passport regulation? We would not be stopping, but as Air Canada will not fly London/Vancouver with a pet in the cabin we are having to take an alternate route so that we can do that. The other alternative is to come through the US. Any advice?




Hi Wendy,

Thanks for contacting us! In this situation you'll want to check out the pet import requirements for Canada and abide by those. In general it's not necessary to meet the import requirements for a country that you're just transiting through, but it's a good idea to consult the airline you end up choosing to find out about their specific policies. We also invite you to search our blog for any other topics you may be wondering about.

Good luck with your trip, and please contact us if you have any more questions!

Wondering how many people are flying with their pets these days? Let these statistics recently released by Virgin Atlantic give you an idea. Since 2003, this British airline has seen a 1500% increase in the number of dogs flying out of the UK and a 325% increase in the  number of cats doing the same.

This is just one airline, but clearly these numbers are worth noting and this growth trend can most likely be reflected by the industry as a whole. More and more people are traveling with their pets, and air carriers are taking notice. We look forward to watching the industry develop even further, and will report the inevitable exciting changes to you as they emerge.

For example, a smaller airline that you may or may not have reason to do business with, Air Malta, has just announced that it will be implementing a new pet policy beginning Jan. 1, 2012.

Air Malta  has been allowing guide dogs to ride in the airplane cabin for the last two years, but beginning in January, small pets (cats and dogs) will also be allowed to travel with their owners in the cabin. These new policies are based on customer and employee suggestions, and include the following:

-Small pets will be allowed in the cabin during all Air Malta flights, with the exception of those flying to and from the UK.

-Pets should be in a carrier no larger than 55cm x 40cm x 20cm. The carrier should meet all air travel requirements (it should have a leak-proof bottom, allow proper ventilation, etc.).

-The pet and the carrier cannot exceed a combined weight of 10 kg.

-Only three pets, including guide dogs, can fly on one airplane.

-Pets must remain in their carrier throughout the flight, and the carrier must remain stowed beneath the seat throughout the flight.

-Pets must be at least eight weeks old to fly.

-Pets must still meet all import requirements for the destination country and must have a valid health certificate and should have seen a vet within three days before the flight.

These rules seem pretty standard but can make all the difference to pet travelers, so hopefully more airlines out there will soon be following suit. At any rate, we'll keep you updated!

Name: Garrett
Pet's Name: Faye
From: Galien, Michigan
To: Waterloo, Belgium


We chose PetRelocation.com to ship our dog, Faye, because their staff was very friendly and professional compared to the other companies we contacted. We were treated like actual people rather than just another sales lead.

They were very helpful and flexible during the entire process, especially as our actual move date continued to stretch over two months. Their suggestion to acclimate Faye to air travel by bringing her through the car wash was very helpful. By the time we left, we had a very clean car, and Faye was much calmer in her crate during all of the loud airplane-like noises of the car wash.

Faye has settled into her new house, yard, and neighborhood very well.

Name: Stephanie
Pets' Names: Desi & Gus
From: Boston
To: San Francisco


In September I moved to San Francisco from Brooklyn, NY. My dogs moved in with my parents to Boston until I was able to get settled in CA. As if being away for my dogs for an unspecified amount of time weren't stressful enough, now I needed to find a way to get them to CA!

I NEVER thought I'd fly my pets. I had heard the horror stories and was completely ignorant to the process. Enter PetRelocation.com. Not only was my relocation specialist, Abbey, professional, educational and informative, she was compassionate and friendly. I was all at once relieved. She made the process as stress-free for me as possible. She knew my travel plans were up in the air and never pressured me or made me feel like I needed to hurry to sign the contract. In addition to Abbey's AMAZING client support, the rates were completely reasonable. They picked the dogs up at my parent's house, brought them to the airport, got them through the process and then tracked the flight the whole time. They worked with me to find the perfect flight and time and even allowed me to pick them up at the airport without going through a check out process.

I can't say enough good things about PetRelocation or Abbey. If I have to do this whole thing again I will absolutely use them. They've opened my eyes about pet travel and opened a whole world of traveling opportunities for my dogs!

Happy Friday! Change is definitely in the air (don't forgot to set your clocks back an hour on Sunday), so do your best to keep up by checking out all the latest in the world of pet travel.

-Remember the missing Jack Russell terrier who turned up 500 miles from home? Read more about Petey's long journey.

-November is Adopt-A-Senior-Pet-Month.

-Traveling with pets this season? Brush up on the do's and don'ts of feeding your dog table scraps for when you're staying with friends and family who may not know the drill.

-The Rise of the Dog-Friendly Holiday.

-Turkey day is coming up... check out these Thanksgiving holiday travel tips for dogs and cats.

-Here are some handy tips for visiting the UK with a dog.

PetRelocation.com has moved hundreds of dogs, cats, and other animals over the last few years, and we love that every move is different.

Meet Hamlet, a pug who we relocated from Washington, D.C. to Hawaii this week. Not only did Hamlet's status as a snub-nosed breed make this a special case, he also happens to be a mature fellow (14 years old). On top of that, moving pets to Hawaii requires meeting a special set of rules, so Pet Relocation Specialist Kayla had plenty of details to keep her busy with this one.

When moving older dogs and/or moving snub-nosed pets, it's especially important to choose a pet-friendly airline and to fly with a travel crate that allows plenty of space and air circulation. Luckily Hamlet is in pretty good shape (he visits the chiropractor regularly, which helps him stay fit and mobile), so he was as prepared as he could be for this overseas adventure.

We were glad to help Hamlet reach his destination safely, and can't wait to meet the next pets that come along!

Name: Billie
Number of Pets: 2
Pet Type: Dog and Parrot
Pet Breed: Staffordshire Bull Terrier and African Grey Parrot
From: Canada
To: Panama



I am reading that it could be difficult or not possible to move from Canada to Panama with my parrot due to his status on CITES. Is this true? If not what do I need to bring him directly from Canada to Panama by air?

Thank you,
Billie



Hi Billie,

Importing pets to Panama requires some advance planning, and in terms of birds it's best to check the CITES requirements as well as Panama's specific restrictions through the Ministry of Agriculture of Panama City. Since you're traveling with a Staffordshire Terrier, it would also be a good idea to research any possible restrictions you may encounter with airlines, etc. due to various breed restrictions.

We've discussed the general issues that go along with moving birds on our blog, as well. Check out the story of Sparrow, another African Grey Parrot, for some (hopefully) helpful tips.

Contact us if you need anything else, and good luck!

Meet Kratos, our Pet Move of the Month! From the beginning, it was easy to see that Kratos is a world-traveling star. He recently made the move from California to Italy in order to join his owner, Shaun, who is in the U.S. Navy. It was the first pet move for them so they were a little nervous, but with the help of their Pet Relocation Specialist Sarah, everything went well. This lovable Bulldog is surely making tons of new friends in Naples, and we wish him and Shaun all the best.

Find out more about the move below, and don't miss the great pet travel tips from Shaun. Congratulations, Kratos, and thanks again for sharing your move with PetRelocation.com!


What were some of your concerns going into the move?
My biggest concern was the plane ride. Since English Bulldogs are brachycephalic I was very concerned about the flight. Once the time came, I emailed Sarah some questions and she fully answered them and explained the whole process. It made me feel a lot better.

Another concern was, since I was already in Naples, Italy and my dog was still in Oxnard, CA, I wasn't there to get everything done. Sarah did all the work by setting up appointments for a ten day fly out, FedExing USDA paperwork, and coordinating with my former roommate on various forms and pickup times. Without Sarah my dog and I would not be together right now.

Did anything surprise you about the international pet moving process?
No, only because Sarah was always available and informed me of every part of the move as soon as it happened.

How is Kratos adjusting to his new home?
I live in Naples, Italy and picked him up in Rome. He is adjusting just fine. Nothing is different about him health wise or in terms of temperament. he was grumpy when I got him, but who wouldn't be after a flight half way around the world!

What is life like in Italy? Is it a pet-friendly place to be?
Life is great here! I'm in the U.S. Navy so we have a vet on base and a huge park called Carney Park (pet-friendly with a huge dog run track and large open fields). Out in town there are a lot of pet stores and there are vets in every little town. You can walk a dog anywhere --  the Italians love dogs and are very friendly towards them.

What advice do you have for people who might be planning a move?
If you have a brachycephalic breed (Pug, Boston Terrier, Pekingese, Boxer, Bulldog, Shih Tzu) they really need an air controlled and pressurized cargo hold. If you are planning a move, plan your pet's move early, as there are a lot of steps in the process. If you are in the military, you don't have a choice about flight carrier options so there is more planning involved. If you are doing a PCS move please take extra time and research to ensure your pet moves with you.

You can do hours of research about country requirements and pet-friendly airlines, you can crate-train your pet and talk to your vet, but you can't altogether avoid travel surprises. Hiccups happen from time to time, so the best plan of attack is to be prepared for anything that may come your way this summer pet travel season.

Here are a few unexpected scenarios and how to deal with them:


Surprise Layover
You thought you had a nonstop flight, but suddenly you find yourself rebooked. Handle surprise stop-overs by over-preparing your pet. Even if your final destination doesn't require certain vaccinations, get your pet up-to-date on all the basics (consult your vet or Pet Relocation Specialist about what these basics may be).

Flight Cancellations
A malfunctioning aircraft or weather problems could lead to a canceled flight. Be ready for anything by giving yourself a little wiggle room when it comes to pet documents and when they expire -- in other words, don't get your time-sensitive paperwork too early just in case you end up having to wait around to get into the air.

Lost Paperwork
In the scramble to pack, get to the airport, check in for your flight and keep track of all your belongings (and your pet, of course), it's conceivable that something could get lost along the way. You may be able to live without some things, but when it comes to important pet import documents, there's no room for error. Carry copies of everything in a separate place so that you won't be stuck in a messy situation.

Your Pet's Carrier/Crate Won't Fit on the Plane
Not all planes are equipped to handle oversized pet crates, and if you're flying in the cabin with your dog or cat, you may find variations in under-seat accommodations. The best way to avoid this setback is to call the airline ahead of time for confirmation that you'll be good to go, double-check when you get to the airport, and then keep a record of who you spoke to and what they said.

Your Pet is Sick
Like many travel problems, prevention is the best solution for this one. Keep your pet on as regular a schedule as possible in terms of feeding, exercise and play time. Pets can sense when something is up and may grow nervous in advance of a move, so do your best to remain calm yourself and take the time to attend to your pet's basic needs. If your furry friend falls ill right before the move, contact your vet as soon as possible, and when you book your flight, find out about rescheduling policies just in case.

Contact PetRelocation.com for more advice about any possible tangles, confusion or snafus that may arise during your pet travels. Here's wishing everyone a smooth journey!

No two pet moves are the same, but some are definitely more complicated than others. Recently PetRelocation.com had the opportunity to move 36 military dogs from Texas to Afghanistan, and Director of Client Relations Matt Kincaid headed up this high-priority operation. Here's what he had to say about this challenging and ultimately successful experience:


In March I was contacted by IQ Global Solutions based in Fort Washington, MD.  They were inquiring about the costs and feasibility of relocating 36 dogs from San Antonio, Texas to Kandahar, Afghanistan in a very short period of time on behalf of the US government.  I knew immediately that these dogs weren’t your typical canines.  Every one of them is specially trained in either search and rescue or to sniff out IEDs and other explosives, and each would join the front line in the war in Afghanistan.     

Never being one to turn down a challenge, I did the research needed to begin piecing together the relocation, and I put together a tentative logistics plan for moving forward.  This consisted of transporting by ground all dogs from their origin near San Antonio to Houston Intercontinental Airport, then flying from Houston to Frankfurt, Germany. From Frankfurt the dogs would travel to Dubai, and then from Dubai they’d go to Kandahar.  

Given our experience in relocating family pets, we have the resources available to ensure that the animal’s welfare is treated as the primary concern.  This shipment would be no exception, so we chose to fly with Lufthansa Airlines via Frankfurt, as their live animal program and Animal Lounge in Frankfurt make up one of the best pet travel programs in the world. 

To facilitate the Dubai transit, I worked closely with Yohannes Hailemariam of Move One Relocations.  I worked with Yohannes to arrange three separate stations for each dog to pass through upon their arrival in Dubai.  Station One consisted of having the dog cleared through customs, removed from his/her crate, and provided with food.  Station Two entailed the exercising of each dog, while Station Three was for bathing the dogs. 

There was a delay in Dubai which prevented the dogs from departing as scheduled, so the dogs were kept in Dubai for an additional two days.  Fortunately, due to our preparedness, each dog continued to rotate through the stations and was properly exercised and fed during the delay.

On the morning of their arrival in Kandahar, I received a call that all dogs had arrived at the Kandahar Air Force Base in great condition.  The clients on the receiving end in Afghanistan were extremely happy wi h the condition and general heath of the dogs, and stated that “the animals arrived in the best health and shape of any of the previous shipments.”
 



 
      

Name: Karin
Number of Pets: 3
Pet Type: 1 dog, 2 cats
Pet Breed: Terrier, Domestic Short Hair, Tortie Siamese
From: North Carolina
To: Italy

Is it ok to put a cat in a larger pet carrier along with a small litter box? I have an elderly cat and I can't expect her to hold her fluids for 19+ hours.
Thank you,
Karin

Hi Karin,

Generally we advise placing an absorbent material (a towel or something similar) in the bottom of the crate to minimize messes. Here's some more info about cat air travel that may help.

Also, here's some information regarding pet import requirements to Italy. Please contact us if you need anything else, and good luck!