Paws N Claws’ Pet Transportation Manager and animal lover, Tab Barkley provides us with tips and advise on Dos and Don’ts when it comes to transporting your pets be it by air or ground.
1. Begin to prepare your pet for its journey a few days in advance by slowly reducing its quantity of food.
2. Try to get your pet used to its crate before you leave. Leave soft bedding and a favorite toy within and encourage your pet to sleep in the crate, so it will be familiar and less frightening on travel day. A piece of the owner’s clothing, such as an old t-shirt can comfort the pet throughout the journey.
3. Walk your dog before leaving your house and again just before check in or road travel.
4. Different airlines, different animals and different countries all require different documentation for pet travel. Country regulations pertaining to your destination should be checked with the relevant embassy. An accredited pet shipper can inform you of what permits and papers are necessary for your pet, and will arrange for same. No animal can board a plane or be booked with a ground transport service unless all documents are in order.
5. The travel crate, supplied by the shipper, must meet the airline’s standards and be large enough the pet to lie down comfortably, turn around and stand freely. There is currently talk of increasing the size of regulation pet containers, although no final decision has been made by the airline authorities. An increase in container size would dramatically increase shipment costs. Some Ground shipping companies supply the Crate for shipping a cat or dog.
6. Book a non stop flight and take temperatures into consideration. In summer try to arrange a night flight when it is cooler and conversely, book a daytime flight for the pet during winter.With a ground transport company temperatures aren’t a major factor as their vans are temperature controlled.
7. Extreme temperatures can prohibit pet transportation of flying so your other option is checking on a ground transport if your just needing a pet shipped from one state to another. Such heat and cold embargoes and are in place to protect pets. Contrary to popular opinion this is not because the cargo hold onboard a plane is not climate controlled (it is!) but rather due to the suffocating temperatures on the tarmac upon departure and arrival and many pets have died on the tarmacs waiting to be loaded.
8. Pug nosed dogs like pekinese, bulldogs , chows, and boston terriers, not great travelers at the best of times, are at greater risk during the summer months. Their susceptibility to respiratory problems aggravated by the heat. Many airlines will not carry these breeds any longer.
9. A dog should be at least 8 weeks old, and fully weaned.
10. Bear in mind that a puppy will grow and make sure the container ordered will be big enough to accommodate the animal on the day of travel. If the dog has outgrown its container, it will not be allowed to board the plane.
11. Be aware that if your dog appears in anyway unhealthy, it will not be allowed to board the plane or ground transported.
12. Do not medicate your dog, airlines will not accept sleeping pets. The animal must be able to use its reflexes during take off and landing.
13. Do not feed your pet before traveling. Dogs can easily stand going without food for 24 hours. Cruel as it might seem, remember any discomfort incurred through lack of food is better than the alternative – traveling in a waste littered crate. On the other hand, it is important to give the animal water, which the airline will provide for the pet.with a ground transport company someone is with your pet constantly and can clean up any accidents immediately.
14. Ask your pet shipper to inform you of all the regulations regarding your airline and your flight if that’s the route you choose to go.
If you would like to book your pet’s specific relocation with us, or for further information about our general pet relocation services feel free to contact our pet relocation specialist. One of our dedicated animal relocation agents will follow up with you shortly with a quote tailor-made to your needs.
