Frontier Airlines, one of the more economical pasenger airlines, has begun offering pet flights in certain locations.   With the increasing popularity of pet airlines and pet travel services, more and more airlines are starting to cater to the four-legged variety of passengers.

Frontier Airlines Pet Flight Booking Information:
All pet flights must be booked in advance with Frontier by calling:

866-945-9255 or 720-374-4651 Mon - Fri 8:00am - 5:00pm (mst) or
800-892-6580 Ext 5 Mon - Fri 8:00am - 5:00pm (cst)

Frontier Airlines Pet Flight Pricing Information:
Small Animals
(Rodents, Birds, Ferrets):
Minimum: $150 Per Pound: $1.25

Large Animals (Dogs and Cats):
Minimum: $240 Per Pound: $2.55

Kennel Sizes

Series - Cost	Dimensions	Weight
100-$240	21L x 16W x 15H	26 lbs.
200-$250	27L x 20W x 19H	53 lbs.
300-$270	32L x 22W x 23H	78 lbs.
400-$330	36L x 24W x 26H	116 lbs.
500-$460	40L x 27W x 30H	168 lbs.
600-$705	46L x 30W x 35H	249 lbs.
700-$765	48L x 32W x 38H	301 lbs.

Frontier Airlines Pet Flight Airports Served:
Atlanta, Appleton, Austin, Boston, Columbus, Dallas, Dayton, Denver, Des Moines, Detroit, Flint (Inbound only), Ft. Lauderdale, Green Bay, Grand Rapids, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Madison, Memphis, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Nashville, New York, Omaha, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh (inbound only), Portland, Sacramento, St. Louis, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Francisco, Seattle, Spokane, Tampa, Tuscon, Washington D.C., with seasonal service to Anchorage and Fairbanks

Gone are the days of crowded boarding kennels and kitty condos.  The Chicago-Tribune recently had a feature about some of the cream-of-the-crop resorts for pets across America:

While most of the time, the "pet" in "PetRelocation.com" is a dog or a cat we're moving, every so often we get to handle some pretty exotic pet relocations.  Once we moved fifty poisonous dart frogs from Switzerland to Texas and another time we handled the pet travel arrangements for one very spoiled Siamese fighting fish!  We're currently working on helping with a pet relocation of two wolf-hybrids from Oregon to the St. Francis Wolf Sanctuary in Montgomery, Texas.
Recently, our "parent" company (in the literal sense - the company is owned by our CEO, Kevin O'Brien's parents!) O'Brien Animal Transportation, helped with a very special relocation of Bolivian circus lions from inhumane conditions to a sanctuary in California.  This video is just stunning and goes to show that some stories do in fact have happy endings!

This post is for the cat travel fans of ours.  Procter & Gamble Company (P&G) has issued a voluntary recall of specific lots of its Iams canned cat food in North America.

Diagnostic testing indicated that the product may contain insufficient levels of thiamine (Vitamin B1), which is essential for cats. Cats that were fed these canned products as their only food are at greater risk for developing signs of thiamine deficiency.

Iams ProActive Health canned Cat and Kitten Food distributed in North America has been affected. No other Iams pet food is involved, so international cat travel lovers shouldn't be affected!

How can you tell if your cat or kitten has thiamine deficiency?  From the Iams recall notice:

For further information or a product refund, pet owners can call P&G toll-free at 877-340-8826 (Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM EST).

Today we had a couple of pet travel crates show up at our offices that we hadn't seen before.  They are the N2N Pet Retreat Kennels with "Calm Quil." 
These crates are definitely stylish and offer plenty of room on the inside.  They come with an "ultra-soft microfleece spa blanket" for the bottom of the crate, as well as two heavy-duty velcro tabs that you can attach to the two halves of the crate to secure them. 
We liked a couple of features quite a bit.  Pet airlines will not allow dogs or cats to travel internationally unless the crate is ventilated on all four sides, which this one is.  It also has the Calm Quil feature, which is a small pheremone cartridge that uses natural aromatherapy to help pets relax when traveling.  The cartridge goes in a small slot at the top of the crate (above the pet's head).  You can purchase replacement cartridges online or at pet stores like Petsmart.  We do wonder what international customs officials might think of this cartridge if they look inside the crate upon arrival.
Some of the things we didn't like were the supposed "safety" latches on the side of the crate.  They are supposed to lock tightly around the button but it was very easy for us to push the buttons in and slide the latches over.  While it was good to add the velcro tabs to keep the middle part of the crate latched, we also added zip ties on all sides to prevent the crate from splitting in half.  The plastic was also a little thinner than the plastic on the Varikennel SkyKennels we typically use.
Have you used the Pet Retreat? Let us know how your pet liked it!

If you're planning on flying out of Phoenix with pets this summer, you're going to run into some scheduling difficulties.

Most airlines that carry pets place temperatures restrictions (or embargoes) on pets going into and out of many airports during the summer.  The best airline for summer pet travel is Continental, as they allow pets to travel year-round in climate-controlled comfort.

However, during the summer months, even Continental will embargo pets from traveling in and out of Phoenix due to the extreme temperatures Arizona faces in the summer.  This embargo will begin June 15, 2010 and will last through the summer (likely until September).  Pets will only be able to fly into and out of Phoenix before 9 AM or after 9 PM local time.

We recently moved Pikachu the guinea pig from Zurich, Switzerland to South Carolina.  When we say "Any pet, anywhere, anytime," we really mean it!  Guinea pigs are one of the many pets we move internationally.  The pet taxi that we hired to pick him up in Switzerland took this great photo of him before his flight.

After his move, Pikachu sent us this great email to let us know what he thought - it really is a fantastic PetRelocation.com customer experience when we get to hear it firsthand from the pet himself!

Thanks Pikachu!  We're glad you had a great trip!

If you want to learn how to crate train your dog for pet travel, be sure to check out Gather.com's recent article about crate training dogs.

From Gather:


What sort of pet travel crate training tips do you have? 

We move pets all the time using KLM and have outlined some pet friendly perks of the top destinations accessible on KLM Cargo flights. 

1.  Amsterdam, Netherlands

In addition to hosting the AF-KL Cargo Animal Hotel at its main airport, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, the city of Amsterdam offers pet lovers plenty of pet friendly options.

The Ibis Amsterdam City Stopera hotel is ideally located in the city centre a few minutes from the Stopera Opera House Dam Square Rembrandtplein and Waterlooplein.  They allow up to two dogs per night for a fee of 5 euros/night per dog.  Pet owners who want to get out and enjoy some of the Netherlands beautiful parks can stop by Sarphatipark, which has a doggie playground on the opposite side of a small pond.  It's also conveniently located to Albert Cuyp Market, which makes a great picnic stop!  De Bakkerswinkel also offers outdoor seating for pets and their owners.

Since Amsterdam is AF-KL Cargo's main hub, there are plenty of pet friendly flights for pets from the US and other international airports all over the world.  Pets that fly into Amsterdam will need to clear through customs at Schiphol and will need to meet the Netherlands Pet Import Rules.

We moved Murphy to Singapore using KLM Airlines - here he enjoys a ride on a pedicab!2. Singapore, Singapore

Singapore is a popular destination for expats and their pets.  There are plenty of leash-free dog parks available in Singapore where pets can run and socialize.  Bishan Park Dog Run, one of the largest dog parks in Singapore, is fenced in and centrally located.  Weekends can get cramped but it has some perks:  big breed dogs are kept separated from small-breed pets at the park.  While the park is open daily 24 hours, it is only lit from 7pm-7am.   For more dog parks, check out Time Out Singapore's dog park rundown!

AF-KL Cargo offers pet flights to Singapore Changi from their hub in Amsterdam.  For information on rules and requirements for moving your pet to Singapore, see our Singapore Pet Travel page.

3. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Every dog has its day in Kuala Lumpur!  Dogathon, an annual carnival of dogs and their owners, was started in 1997 as a 2.5km run to benefit Pro-Kasih, a public education program that supports catch-and-release spay and neuter services to help control Malaysia's stray dog problems.  Now in its thirteen year, the Dogathon offers games and events for pets and their owners. 

Pets can travel to Malaysia via AF-KL Cargo's pet flights from Amsterdam, but will need to fulfill a seven-day mandatory quarantine upon arrival in Kuala Lumpur at the government quarantine facility. Check out our Malaysia Pet Travel page for more details.

4. Stockholm, Sweden

If you're looking for a pet friendly place to stay in Stockholm, try the Grand Hotel Intercontinental, which allows up to two dogs of any size for no additional fees.  For a little exercise for your pooch, check out Vasaparken, a dog-friendly park located in Vasastaden and named after the Royal Vasa Dynasty.  Your pet will feel like he's king of the castle!

Don't forget to check out the Sweden Pet Travel rules before you go.

Here's Wheezy, a Boston Terrier we moved to Bali using KLM Airlines!5. Bali, Indonesia

Bali is an exotic location that has been booming with tourism and business-which means the pets followed shortly behind!  The Bali Street Dog Foundation is a non-profit animal welfare organization that aims to reduce the numbers of unhealthy, neglected street dogs in Bali and hosts occasional events to raise awareness.  Most recently, they had a Fun Walk for Animals to help raise money to control the spread of rabies within Bali.  If you run out of supplies for your favorite pet, not to worry:  the Bali Pet Shop has four locations in Sanur, Denpasar, Kuta and Seminyak selling "complete products for your lovely animal."

 

Booking your pet's flight correctly is one of the most important parts of your trip.  After all, how else will your pet get to where you're going?  Below is a step-by-step guide to booking a flight on KLM Airlines for your pet.

Accompanied Pets

Please Note:

If you are traveling with your pet to Australia, Hong Kong, Ireland, the United Arab Emirates, Kenya, South Africa or the United Kingdom, please skip this section and proceed to Unaccompanied Pets.

1)  First you will need to determine whether your species of pet can travel in cabin.  KLM only allows small cats and dogs up to 6 kg (13 lbs) including their carrier in the cabin.  If you have a dog or cat who weighs under 6 kg (13 lbs) with his carrier, go to step 2. If you have another species of pet, go to step 6.

2) Your pet will need to travel in a hard-shelled kennel no higher than 20 cm or in an animal travel bag (soft-sided) that expands to a maximum of 115 cm (L+W+H).  Your pet will need to be able to stand up comfortably in the carrier while traveling.  If your pet cannot fit comfortably in a carrier or kennel of this size, go to step 4. 

3) Call to Book Your Flight:  To make reservations by phone, please contact your country's KLM Telephone Reservations Line.

When you call to book your flight, you will need to notify the person making the reservation that you will be traveling with a pet in cabin.  While you can book your flight up until the last minute, KLM requires at least 48 hours advance notice for pets traveling in cabin.  Your pet will also need to fulfill the international pet travel requirements for your destination country (if traveling internationally).

4)  If your dog or cat cannot travel in cabin due to size or weight restrictions, your pet can travel underneath the plane in the air-conditioned cargo hold as "Accompanied luggage."  Your pet must be transported in a hard-shelled pet travel crate approved for pets as cargo (see below).  Your pet and kennel combined may not weigh more than 75 kg (165 lbs).  If your pet weighs under 75 kg with his carrier, proceed to step 5.  If your pet weighs more than 75 kg with his carrier, proceed to step 6.

Travel Crates for Pets as Cargo:  Your pet's travel crate will need to be up to IATA (International Air Transport Association) standards.  We sell IATA-approved pet travel crates through our website, which are suitable for domestic and international travel.  Lufthansa also requires pet travel crates to be equipped with a water dish.  We recommend attaching your pet's water dish to the inside of the crate door (see: All About Pet Travel Crates).

5) Call to Book Your Flight:  To make reservations by phone, please contact your country's KLM Telephone Reservations Line.

When you call to book your flight, you will need to notify the person making the reservation that you will be traveling with a pet in the cargo hold as accompanied luggage.  While you can book your flight up until the last minute, KLM requires 48 hours advance notice of pets accompanying their owners and traveling in the cargo hold.

Unaccompanied Pets (or Pets Traveling as Cargo)

6) Your pet should be transported as freight by Air France-KLM Cargo if:

• Your pet and kennel weigh more than 75 kg (165 lbs). 
• The kennel is larger than 292 cm (115 inches) (l + w + h). On some types of aircraft, the kennel must not be larger than 247 cm (97 inches) (l + w + h).
•  The pet is travelling to Australia, Hong Kong, Ireland, the United Arab Emirates, Kenya, South Africa or the United Kingdom. 

For your pet to travel unaccompanied via Air France-KLM Cargo, a cargo account is required and pricing is based off a dimensional or volume weight.  If your pet is going to be traveling unaccompanied, it is best to obtain a quote from a PetRelocation.com Specialist by filling out our International Quote Request form.

Air France-KLM Pricing Structure for Pets

Accompanied:   For pets traveling within Europe on most AF-KL flights, the pricing per pet is EUR 70.  For all other international flights, the price per pet is EUR 200.

Unaccompanied/Cargo:  The pricing is based on dimensional weight and varies per pet.  Fuel surcharges and other fees also apply.

Outside the Air France-KLM Animal Hotel in Amsterdam

Imagine a place at the airport where you could retreat to your private, air-conditioned room, take a nice walk in a grassy park and grab a bite to eat while you relax and wait for your next flight to take off.  No more loud terminals, uncomfortable waiting area chairs, or worrying about final boarding calls-you're free to relax while your personal assistant makes sure you make it onto your next flight in time.

At Air France-KLM (AF-KL) Cargo's Animal Hotel, your airport dream is your pet's reality.  Pets traveling on AF-KL Cargo get a chance to relax in comfortable surroundings while being cared for by qualified and specially-trained Animal Attendants.  "All animals can eat, drink, exercise and rest to break up a long journey," said Robert van Voorthuysen, International Sales Manager for the Variation Live department at AF-KL Cargo.  "Dogs and cats deserve the comfort and attention we give to our passengers."

The AF-KL Cargo Animal Hotel, sometimes called "a home away from home," is located at the Amsterdam International Airport Schiphol, and serves as the perfect entry and jumping-off point for pets traveling to the Netherlands and other European Union destinations.

Upon arrival at the Amsterdam airport, pets are immediately transferred to the Animal Hotel via climate-controlled, pet friendly vehicles.  There, the Animal Attendant staff is able to provide dogs with their unique KLM cargo dog-walking service! 

While enjoying a short break in size-appropriate kennels, pets' crates are cleaned thoroughly before being transferred to their next flight.

The Animal Hotel is definitely a comfortable place to wait for your next flight.  "It meets and even exceeds all the high European standards in quality and hygiene," said van Voorthuysen.  "We are proud to mention that the Animal Hotel is qualified according to ISO 9002," the most prestigious recognition of industrial quality in Europe.  In addition to being clean, a veterinarian is on call at all times to assist with pets who might have become ill during transport.  The Animal Hotel, which is fully operational twenty-four hours a day, also has its own quarantine station.

If you're headed to the Netherlands or beyond, AF-KL Cargo's Animal Hotel is a great layover option for your pet. Ready to go?  Check back tomorrow for more information on how to book a flight on KLM for your pet!

Over ninety years ago, KLM's "Variation Live Pets" pet cargo program was started with safety, comfort and pet hygiene being their main focus when transporting a wide variety of pets. After joining forces with Air France in 2004, pets now have the ability to travel on one of Europe's most popular airlines, boasting the largest number of international passenger-miles flown in both 2008 and 2007.

Based in Amsterdam, AF-KL Cargo offers an exclusive Animal Hotel for pets transiting through Amsterdam, which we'll take a look at in more detail later this week, including an exclusive video of the inside of the Pet Hotel and an in-depth look at the AF-KL Cargo booking process for pets traveling on KLM's Variation Live Pets.  We'll also talk to Robert van Voorthuysen, International Sales Manager for Variation Live, to find out more about what pet owners can expect when traveling on KLM with their pets.

Be sure to catch all of the AF-KL Cargo action this week and let us know what questions you'd like answered in the comments section!

If you've got a pint-sized dog or cat, chances are you'll want to travel with him at some point in the cabin of the plane.  While it may sound like fun, traveling with a pet can be a lot of work if you aren't prepared.  Here are some tips for in cabin pet travel with a pet.

1.  Practice perfect "Pettiquette. ^TM" 

If you're planning on traveling with a pet, you're not just representing yourself-but every pet loving person who wants to travel with their pet!  Looking for a rundown of rules of the road-or sky-to follow?  JetBlue's "Pettiquette^TM" policy gives travelers with pets some convenient guidelines to help them act as considerate pet ambassadors when at the airport or on the plane.

2.  Accidents happen.  

Be sure to bring along wet wipes, paper towels and pet waste bags in case your travel partner has an "oops" at the airport or while flying.  A pet travel kit, like the one offered by JetBlue for $20 on their site, ensures you'll always have a wipe, water bowl and dog toy handy.

3.  Skip the sedation. 

While you might think you're doing your pet a favor by slipping him a little something before the flight, you could be potentially endangering your pet's health and safety.   At altitude, pets can have adverse reactions to sedation that they might not normally have at sea level.  To help with your pet's anxiety, bring toys and treats that he can play with while flying and don't forget the importance of crate training.  You can also try aromatherapy options like Earth Heart's Canine Calm or for cats the popular anti-stress product Feliway.

4.  Head for the back row. 

If you're flying coach, be prepared to be booked in one of the last rows of the aircraft so that you won't disrupt other travelers.  Don't forget that you'll need to book your flight early.  JetBlue allows up to four pets per flight which means that in order to secure your pet's ticket, you'll want to call ahead.

5.  Check the carrier. 

Purchase the largest size carrier for your pet's travel to give him extra leg room for your flight.  But buyer beware:  you'll want to make sure it will still fit under the seat in front of you, or it won't be allowed on the flight.  JetBlue offers a custom-made JetPaws^TM pet carrier designed by Cindy Adams from Jazzy Park Avenue Dog products that is guaranteed to fit under their aircraft seats. 

 

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PetRelocation.com's Pet Friendly Airline Spotlight series features our favorite pet friendly airlines for travel with pets.  These Spotlights will highlight one airline each week, Monday through Thursday, through the month of May.  We'll take a look at the various aspects of their pet programs, including amenities offered for pets, how to book a pet flight on each airline and their fee structures.  For a look at the rest of our Airline Spotlight series, check out the Airline Spotlight page or on Twitter as #PetReloAS.

Since its inception, pet friendly airline JetBlue Airways has allowed pets to fly in the cabin with their owners.  However, in December of 2008, JetBlue began offering their JetPaws Pet Program, which offers pet owners not only a convenient way to travel with their pet as well as pet travel products and information.  Here are three free resources JetBlue offers travelers with pets:

1) The JetPaws Travel Guide

If you're looking for "the what's, where's, when's and how's" of "jetting" with your pet, the JetPaws Travel Guide offers great information on JetBlue's pet jetting policy.  They even have pet-friendly hotels, restaurants and animal hospitals listed for their major hubs to ensure that you and your pet will enjoy a purr-fect stay.

2) JetPaws Pet Travel Checklist

Want to hit the tarmac running with your best four-legged friend?  The JetPaws Pet Travel Checklist gives you a rundown of what you'll need in order to hop on a flight with JetBlue and get on your way.  Use this handy checklist on your day of departure to keep everything organized and your pre-travel jitters away.

3) JetBlue Pettiquette^TM

Need to keep up with the McTerriers?  Look no further than JetBlue's Pettiquette^TM page, a handy list of social graces for pet travel.  Need to look the part?  JetBlue's got you covered.  Online you can purchase a special JetBlue line of pet travel products made by Cindy Adams from Jazzy Park Avenue Dog products. 

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Pet friendly airlines

PetRelocation.com's Pet Friendly Airline Spotlight series features our favorite pet friendly airlines for travel with pets.  These Spotlights will highlight one airline each week, Monday through Thursday, through the month of May.  We'll take a look at the various aspects of their pet programs, including amenities offered for pets, how to book a pet flight on each airline and their fee structures.  For a look at the rest of our Airline Spotlight series, check out the Airline Spotlight page or on Twitter as #PetReloAS.

 

How To: Book a Flight on JetBlue for Your Pet

Known as a convenient, low-fare service, tails started wagging in the year 2000 when JetBlue began flying customers-and their pets-in comfort and style around the US.  JetBlue's JetPaws Pet Program only carries four-legged "pawsengers" in the aircraft cabin, said Corporate Communications Manager Alison Croyle.  "When we ordered our aircraft," Croyle said, "We decided not to take the optional aft cargo heat option; for the A320 fleet, and on our newest fleet type, the EMBRAER 190, we decided not to take the forward cargo ventilation option."

Without these cargo hold options, pets are not able to be safely transported under the plane.  Instead, JetBlue reserves its pet program exclusively for dogs and cats traveling in the cabin.  While this limits some travelers (for example, your pet will need to be small enough to fit under the seat in front of you), ultimately this decision certainly had a big upside for JetBlue and its customers' pets.  "We love our pets," said Coyle, "But we felt it was more important to be in a position to offer low fares for our two-legged customers."

This week, we'll look at the various resources that JetBlue provides for pets travelling in cabin, find out when in-cabin pet travel is a good solution for traveling with pets or taking a dog on an airplane, as well as take a look at some of JetBlue's JetPaws booking policies and rewards.  Be sure to follow along on our blog and on Twitter.

As pet travel specialists, we work with Lufthansa on a regular basis to safely transport our customers' pets all over the world -- so you'd think we'd know everything there is to know about Lufthansa!  However, in the process of interviewing them for our Pet Friendly Airline Spotlight, we found out some surprising facts about the Lufthansa pet program that even we didn't know before.

1.  Lufthansa cares about animal conservation.  Lufthansa Cargo works closely with international zoos and also supports programs dedicated to animal conservation and re-settlement of threatened species.  For over three decades, Lufthansa has worked to protect cranes by donating 10,000 euros every three years since 2004 to help the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals.  They also show the environmental documentary "Fascination Nature" on numerous long-haul flights, which provides information on conservation and biodiversity to their passengers, making Lufthansa both pet-friendly and eco-friendly.

2.  A funny thing happened on the way to the terminal... When asked if they'd ever had a funny incident with a pet on a flight before, Lufthansa told us that in October 2008, on a flight from Dubai to Frankfurt, a passenger carried a pregnant dog onto the plane.  About thirty minutes before the plane landed, the dog started giving birth to several puppies!  A veterinarian was called right away and "the birthday party was remembered by all," said Martin Riecken, Head of Corporate Communications for Lufthansa.

Lufthansa offers flights for a variety of pets, including this polar bear pictured at the Lufthansa Animal Lounge! 3.  Pricing depends on your destination.  On Germany and European routes, as well as on flights from the US and Canada, pets traveling with their owners are charged a flat rate, depending on the pet's crate size.  On intercontinental routes, pets are charged according to their weight.  See How to Book a Flight on Lufthansa for Your Pet for more pricing information.

4.  Everything is under one roof.  Many airports have their live animal facilities spread out over several terminals or offices, but thanks to Lufthansa's smartly designed Animal Lounge, everything-pets, quarantine officers and animal handlers-are all located under one central 40,365 square-foot building.  There, the motto is "fast lane"-pets are the first ones on and off planes which helps speed up their transit times.

5.  A lot of furry friends fly Lufthansa.  In 2007, almost 56,000 pets traveled on board Lufthansa's passenger planes.  Of those pets, 35,640 were transported in the passenger cabin and 20,324 were transported in the climate-controlled and pressurized cargo hold.

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PetRelocation.com's Pet Friendly Airline Spotlight series features our favorite pet friendly airlines for travel with pets.  These Spotlights will highlight one airline each week, Monday through Thursday, through the month of May.  We'll take a look at the various aspects of their pet programs, including amenities offered for pets, how to book a pet flight on each airline and their fee structures.  For a look at the rest of our Airline Spotlight series, check out the Airline Spotlight page or on Twitter as #PetReloAS.

If you are planning on transporting pets to the UK, Australia or any other rabies free country, you'll need to get a rabies titer test prior to pet travel.  The steps below explain how someone who is planning on a pet move can obtain these test results from their veterinarian and issuing laboratory.

What is the Rabies Antibody Titer?

The Rabies Antibody Titer or FAVN-OIE Tests (FAVN stands for Fluorescent Antibody Viral Neutralization) is to ensure that the rabies vaccinations have provided adequate rabies antibody levels for travel.  The test should be issued by your local veterinarian, sent to the rabies lab (see below) and then the results of this test will need to be certified by an approved Government Facility prior to export (i.e. the USDA).

How to Obtain a Rabies Antibody Titer/FAVN test:

Your vet will need to send a serum sample, accompanied by a completed FAVN Report Form, to the Rabies Laboratory at Kansas State University to do the FAVN test. The Rabies Laboratory will then send the FAVN Report Form with the original "stickered" results of the test back to the submitting clinic. If the destination on the FAVN Report Form is listed as Hawaii, Guam or any of the Caribbean Islands, the original "stickered" results will be sent directly to the destination's quarantine station, and a copy of results will be sent to the submitting clinic.

Here is where to send the serum sample:

Rabies Laboratory

Kansas State University

2005 Research Park Circle

Manhattan, KS 66502

tel. 785-532-4483

fax 785-532-4474

www.vet.ksu.edu/rabies

rabies@vet.ksu.edu

The results of the FAVN test must be 0.5 IU/ml or above in order to qualify for entry.

Pet owners do not need to call KSU prior to sending a serum sample for a FAVN test.

For more information on Rabies Titer/FAVN test submissions, please see the KSU Rabies Laboratory website.  There you will have access to shippping instructions, current FAVN Report Forms and test fees.

If you plan on traveling with your pets, Lufthansa Airlines allows pets either in the cabin or in the cargo hold of its passenger aircraft, depending on the pet's weight and size.  Your pet can also travel unaccompanied via Lufthansa Cargo.  Here's how to book a pet flight on Lufthansa.

Accompanied Pets

1)  First you will need to determine whether your species of pet can travel in cabin.  Lufthansa only allows dogs and cats in the passenger cabin of their aircraft.  If you have a dog or cat, go to step 2. If you have another species of pet, go to step 4.

2) You may take a dog or cat into the cabin, if the weight of the animal (including transport container) does not exceed eight kilograms. If your pet and his carrier exceed these weight limits, go to step 4.  

Travel Carrier for In-Cabin Pets:  Your pet will need to be kept in an appropriate travel carrier measuring not more than 55 x 40 x 20 cm. You may use your own carrier if it has the necessary measurement and is watertight and bite-proof.  In addition, Lufthansa Airlines offers those who travel with pets a "Pet Box" at most airports at the check-in counters free of charge.  It is a good idea to call ahead and make sure they will have one available for your pet.

3) Call to Book Your Flight:  To make reservations by phone, please contact your country's Lufthansa Reservations Office.

When you call to book your flight, you will need to notify the person making the reservation that you will be traveling with a pet in cabin.  While you can book your flight up until the last minute, Lufthansa requires 24 hours advance notice of pets traveling in cabin.  "Several countries only allow specific types of pets," says Martin Riecken, Head of Corporate Communications for Lufthansa.  "Passengers will be informed about this during the reservation process."

4)  If your pet cannot travel in cabin due to size or weight restrictions, or if you have a pet other than a dog or a cat, your pet can travel underneath the plane in the air-conditioned cargo hold. 

Travel Crates for Pets as Cargo:  Your pet's travel crate will need to be up to IATA (International Air Transport Association) standards.  We sell IATA-approved pet travel crates through our website, which are suitable for domestic and international travel.  Lufthansa also requires pet travel crates to be equipped with a water dish.  We recommend attaching your pet's water dish to the inside of the crate door (see: All About Pet Travel Crates).

5) Call to Book Your Flight: To make reservations by phone, please contact your country's Lufthansa Reservations Office.

When you call to book your flight, you will need to notify the person making the reservation that you will be traveling with a pet in the cargo hold.  While you can book your flight up until the last minute, Lufthansa requires 24 hours advance notice of pets accompanying their owners and traveling in the cargo hold.

Lufthansa German Airlines Pricing Structure for Accompanied Pets

On Lufthansa's European and long-haul flights (apart from Canada, Mexico and the US) the fare for pets is calculated based on the weight concept, listed below.

On flights to and from Canada, Mexico and the US, the piece concept applies.  The pet does not count as one of the free pieces of baggage but will be calculated as an additional piece of luggage.

Unaccompanied Pets

There is also the option of unaccompanied animals being carried by Lufthansa Cargo, which is primarily how PetRelocation.com books pets on Lufthansa for international flights.  A cargo account is required and pricing is based off a dimensional or volume weight.  If your pet is going to be traveling unaccompanied, it is best to obtain a quote from a PetRelocation.com Specialist by filling out our International Quote Request form.

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PetRelocation.com's Pet Friendly Airline Spotlight series features our favorite pet friendly airlines for travel with pets.  These Spotlights will highlight one airline each week, Monday through Thursday, through the month of May.  We'll take a look at the various aspects of their pet programs, including amenities offered for pets, how to book a pet flight on each airline and their fee structures.  For a look at the rest of our Airline Spotlight series, check out the Airline Spotlight page or on Twitter as #PetReloAS.

Airline Spotlight Bonus:  Take a virtual tour of the Lufthansa Animal Lounge!

The Lufthansa Animal Lounge offers pet friendly services for pets in transit.Call it the frequent fliers' lounge for pets, the Lufthansa Animal Lounge, whose thirteen-month construction ended in February 2008, offers state-of-the-art facilities for traveling pets and live animals ranging in species from horses to tropical fish.

The Animal Lounge is located at Lufthansa's main hub in Frankfurt, Germany at the Frankfurt am Main Airport.  As the busiest passenger airport in Germany, and the ninth busiest airport worldwide in 2009, plenty of pets pass through the airport on a daily basis.  "Lufthansa Cargo annually transports more than 14,000 household pets and 1,500 horses in addition to other animals," said Martin Martin Riecken, Head of Corporate Communications (The Americas) for LufthansaRiecken, Head of Corporate Communications.  "We offer [those] animals and pets traveling with us access to a 40,365 square-foot Animal Lounge."

All pets, including dogs or cats transported in the passenger cabin that have a transfer or layover time of more than 2-3 hours, are taken to the Animal Lounge, which offers three routes for pets:  transit, import and export (represented by yellow, red and green lines in the aerial graphic above).  Pets transiting through Frankfurt as part of a connecting flights stop at a veterinary examination area, where public-service veterinarians check compliance with animal protection and epidemic control regulations.  This helps ensure that pets going on to connecting flights are also healthy enough to continue on, reducing the risk of dehydration and allowing veterinarians to treat pets who might have fallen ill during their first flight. 

For dogs and cats, the Animal Lounge offers thirty nine "small animal boxes," which are climate-controlled and offer dogs and cats enough room to stretch their legs.  Additionally, the "animal keepers" at the Lounge are former employees of zoos, veterinary practices and police dog teams, which means your pet will receive the best of care during his stay-all without having to leave the airport!

The beauty of the Animal Lounge, for bothHorses are just one type of traveler at the Lufthansa Animal Lounge. pets and owners, is in the organization of the facility.  "Everyone involved in the transport of pets, including coordinators, veterinary doctors and freight handlers," Reicken said, "works in the same building."  This means that not only will your pet move quickly through the transit and inspection process-Lufthansa calls it their "fast lane" principle-but also there's no chance of your furry best friend getting lost in the shuffle.  "We have clearly distinct zones for export, import, transit and health inspections," said Riecken.  First class flying for Fido?  Yes, it's arrived.

 

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PetRelocation.com's Pet Friendly Airline Spotlight series features our favorite pet friendly airlines for travel with pets.  These Spotlights will highlight one airline each week, Monday through Thursday, through the month of May.  We'll take a look at the various aspects of their pet programs, including amenities offered for pets, how to book a pet flight on each airline and their fee structures.  For a look at the rest of our Airline Spotlight series, check out the Airline Spotlight page or on Twitter as #PetReloAS.

 

No matter where you travel with pets, chances are at some point you're going to consider flying your pet.  One of the most common questions we get is "What airline should I use?"  While many myths about airplanes and pets still exist, there are several pet-friendly airline options for people who need to fly with their pets.

Starting this week, we'll feature a pet-friendly airline each week that we've determined to have the best pet policies in place.  Called the PetRelocation Pet Friendly Airline Spotlight, we'll take a look at the various aspects of their pet programs, which will include some of the following:

-Amenities for pets
-Range of services provided
-Fee structures
-Ease of booking flights for pets
-Overall safety of pets when flying

This week, we'll focus on Lufthansa German Airlines, which accommodates pets worldwide on their passenger planes as well as through their cargo division, Lufthansa Cargo.  Years ago, Lufthansa made the decision to begin carrying pets because their customers "showed a clear demand for a high-quality service for transporting their beloved pets," said Martin Riecken, Head of Corporate Communications for the Americas.  Lufthansa's high-quality service shows through in the pet transportation they provide, including a specialized Animal Lounge in Frankfurt, Germany where pets have rest stops during transit.  We'll talk more about the Animal Lounge's features later this week.

If you have any questions about the airline we feature during each week's Airline Spotlight, feel free to leave them in the comments below.  Also, don't forget to follow the Twitter hashtag for Airline Spotlight - #PetReloAS.  Otherwise, be sure to buckle up and make sure your tray tables are securely fastened!

Tomorrow:  An Insider's Look at the Lufthansa Animal Lounge!