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Travel By Air
Don't be surprised if you encounter difficulty booking your
cat's travel. The Federal Aviation Administration has made
security changes since the terrorist attacks that affect how
pets are shipped. Professional pet transporters have the
necessary licenses to move pets with the airlines, but only
a few airlines will currently still deal directly with the
public. Depending on the airline, one or two cats may be
allowed in the cabin as a carry-on, or can be booked as
excess baggage with you on the same flight in the cargo area
of the plane.
Many people worry about the safety of their pets during air
travel. According to airline estimates, nearly two million
pets a year are shipped. Each year there will be one or two
well-publicized accidents to cause concern, but actual
airline statistics report less than 30 animal injuries or
deaths per year. Most accidents happen due to poor planning,
improper crates, tranquilization or human error. Sometimes
things are truly an accident with no one is to blame (unless
the pet itself is to blame!).
Whether you have help from a professional or do it yourself,
certain requirements for air travel need to be met.
Follow the Rules: An airline-approved shipping crate is
required. For travel in the cabin, a soft-sided carrier may
be used. But for travel as cargo or in the baggage area, the
crate must be plastic with a metal door. It should be big
enough for the cat to sit up, turn around and lie down in.
The less expensive carriers are not the safest. The
higher-priced crates are made of sturdier fiberglass, rather
than plastic, and have stronger doors that will not fly
open. Each crate must be labeled with live animal stickers,
consignee information, feeding instructions, and have two
dishes attached to the door. These are federal regulations
that must be met.
Provide Timely Proof: Every cat needs a health certificate
and proof of rabies vaccine. The Animal Welfare Act says the
health certificate must be dated no more than 10 days prior
to the trip. If it expires a new one will be required.
Say No to Drugs: The American Veterinary Medical Association
and the Independent Pet and Animal Transportation
Association do not recommend tranquilizing your cat for
flying. It is now widely recognized that tranquilizers are
the number one cause of illness and deaths in pets shipped
by air. Several airlines will now also refuse to accept a
tranquilized pet. Better to have a pet soil the crate, but
arrive safe and sound. Travel by air is stressful no doubt;
but healthy pets survive a few hours of travel quite nicely.
Pad the bottom of the carrier with plastic diapers (padding
turned up) to help absorb any accidents that might occur.
Understand Delays: Excessive heat and cold can prohibit pet
shipments. Each airline can put an embargo in place to
prevent moving a pet when it is less than 45 degrees, or
more than 85 degrees at either end, or at any stop along the
way, if they will be exposed to these temperatures for more
than 45 minutes. Professional pet transporters and airlines
must abide by these federal regulations. Therefore, even if
you have your cat booked to go with you as excess baggage,
temperatures may prohibit it traveling on that day. This is
for the health and safety of your pet.
Planning and common sense can alleviate most of the problems
encountered when traveling with your cat. Fluffy may never
love traveling, but you can help make it easier. For more
complex moves the use a professional pet transporter for air
travel is not the least expensive alternative, but may be
the best choice, when moving the cat yourself becomes
overwhelming. Professional pet shippers are licensed by the
USDA for interstate travel and have a TSA approved security
program. They will handle all the documents for arrangements
with the airline and to meet the FAA/TSA requirements.
If you must travel to the destination before you can send
for your pet, oftentimes pet transporters can assist you
with obtaining health certificates, veterinary requirements
or boarding. They will be able to provide shipping crates as
well as pick-up and delivery services from home to the
airport. A network of transport specialists may also even
allow for a transporter to meet Fluffy upon arrival and
deliver her to your new home. Most, but not all,
transporters can assist with international relocations. Each
country has its own requirements for pets entering the
country. In some instances only a health certificate is
required along with the proof of a rabies vaccine. In other
countries it may be a long involved process requiring months
of planning and or quarantine once Fluffy arrives. These
transporters are always knowledgeable about these rules and
restrictions, after all, that is how they make their living.
However you decide to travel with Fluffy, do your homework
first and acclimate her to the changes she soon will be
facing. You will find the move will go smoother and the
stress level for both of you will be greatly reduced.
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