 General
advice for all pet owners
Airline companies all differ slightly in their policies
on travelling with animals so it is best to check with them when
booking your ticket. For information see under seat maps for the
company you are flying with.
Pets travelling by plane can basically be divided into two categories,
those able to travel in the cabin and those that have to travel
in the hold. The age and size of your pet must be taken into consideration
as well as the duration and distance of the flight. Puppies and
kittens must be over eight weeks old and weaned at least five days
before flying. There follow some general pieces of advice for all
pet owners, regardless of which part of the plane they are travelling
in or how old they are.
The first and foremost is that you should take your pet to a veterinarian
preferably within the ten days before you travel (check conditions
with your airline company) especially if the animal is to travel
in the cargo hold. You will need to get any vaccination or health
certificates required.
Vets will also be able to advise you on feeding but the general
norm is not to feed your pet for between six and ten hours before
take-off although they can be given water up to two to four hours
prior to take-off, unless temperatures are extremely high.
The general consensus regarding tranquilisers is that they are not
a good idea as they can cause breathing and cardiovascular problems
when your pet is at a high altitude (especially in brachycephalic
animals – those with short, wide heads such as the pug, boxer,
shih tzu, bulldog etc. . .) Furthermore if the pet is in the cargo
hold they won´t have the same reaction capacity to sudden
movement and could be injured. You don´t want your pet to
arrive on location battered and bruised. Again, check with your
vet on this one as it is only a general consensus.
It is best to book a flight at a non-peak time as there are less
likely to be delays and therefore your pet will not be kept “bagged
up” unnecessarily. Along these lines it is also best to book
direct flights or flights with a minimum number of stops and early
morning or late evening flights in the summer (some companies will
not fly animals during the heat of the summer months).
Put a piece of clothing with your scent or a favourite toy inside
the cage to provide your pet with a familiar and comforting smell.
Small
pets
The weight limit for carry-on pets is normally 40
pounds (18 kilos) including the travel cage/bag. Most cats and the
following dogs can normally travel in the cabin; Yorkshire terriers,
miniature Poodles, and Chihuahuas and other very small breeds, providing
they are quiet, odourless and safely restrained in a pet-carrier
during the flight. Please note that as a general rule (and we are
yet to find any exceptions) no rodents are allowed on planes, no
matter how they are carried in case they escape and nibble important
cables, so bunny or hamster have to stay at home! (with food, water
and preferably someone to look after them!)
Many companies have a limit on the number of pets allowed in the
cabin so it is important to check when booking your ticket and very
advisable to confirm 24-48 hours before the flight as most companies
reserve the right to cancel pet space.
Although it is normally possible for a carry-on pet to travel in
a hard case, a soft-sided specifically designed carrier is better
suited as they can fit under seats more easily. From this point
of view it is important to think about your seat – an emergency
exit is not possible as there is no floor storage for these seats.
(see seat maps for details and check as you book in)
There are several advantages to flying your pet as carry-on baggage,
but above all you can check them at all times and are aware that
the temperature and cabin pressure are at a safe level.
Large
pets
Obviously the most important thing about your pet
travelling in the cargo hold is its safety and comfort. Travel crates
should be made of reinforced unpainted wood, wood and metal or reinforced
plastic and should have a leak-proof bottom covered with plenty
of comfortable and absorbent material. It should be large enough
for the animal to stand, turn around easily and lie down comfortably.
The crate should be ventilated on at least two opposite sides with
exterior knobs which will prevent a block in the airflow by other
things being stored against the vents. It shouldn´t have interior
protrusions of any sort and it should have easily accessible handles
or grips.
The crate should be appropriately labelled “live animal”
in clear, visible letters at least an inch tall and have arrows
indicating the upright position. Both the crate and your pet need
to be “labelled” with your name, address and telephone
number and your (or your pet´s) destination. Health certificates
should be posted on the crate. Pets should wear a lightweight flat
collar with their licence and it is a nice touch to put your pet´s
name on the crate so they are given a more “personal”
approach by handlers. If your pet is “anti-social” it
is important to note this too.
You can help your pet feel more comfortable by allowing them to
get used to the crate before the flight – use it as their
bed for a few days or feed your pet some treats while it is inside
the crate, and perhaps even more so than with carry on pets, it
is nice to put a piece of clothing with your scent on it, a favourite
toy or some extra comfy bedding inside the crate for emotional comfort.
If a feeding plan has been provided by the vet it is necessary to
post this on the crate too. Dry food can be placed in a cloth bag
and attached to the outside of the crate. A water dish can also
be attached but must be in a place where it can be reached easily
without handlers being nibbled or the pet escaping. Water must not
be put in the crate before take-off in case of spillage making for
a damp journey.
Exercise your pet immediately before and after the flight –
have a lead with you so you can do this. You need to allow yourself
time for this – if your pet is to go in the cargo hold it
is a good idea to check in early anyway.
4) Other important points
It is not unknown for pets to become ill and even die during travel
but there are more and more regulations to prevent this. Extreme
temperatures are dangerous and for this reason many airlines do
not ship pets in the hold if the weather is considered hazardous
– below 45ºF (7ºC) or above 85ºF (29.4ºC) – or if there
are other extreme conditions such as humidity.
If you are travelling inter-state or internationally you mast check
on health restrictions required by your destination. In some countries
(e.g. the UK) quarantine is applicable – you should check
with the embassy for the country you are travelling to.
Remember the important thing is to be informed – vets, airlines
and embassies are good sources of information. Finally remember
that not all people like air travel and this applies to animals
too, so if it is not strictly necessary – maybe they would
be better off staying at home!
|
Flying
with a pet...?
