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 TRAVEL TIPS
  • Check with a veterinarian to make sure your pet is fit to travel. Airlines will not transport a sick or aggressive pet and most require a certificate of good health from a veterinarian that has been signed within 30 days of the trip.
  • Ask the airline about any and all requirements for your pet’s travel. Getting ready to board is bad time to find out that they won’t accept your pet.
  • If you are traveling to another country check with their consulate concerning any and all regulations.
  • Be sure your pet wears a collar with complete identification and a license tag. Have a microchip implanted. This is a form of ID that can’t be lost or removed. Have a rabies vaccination certificate available if the flight crosses state or international borders. Be aware of any quarantine regulations that are being enforced at your destination.
  • Flat faced breeds such as Pekingese, Chows, Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, and Persian and Himalayan cats often have difficulty breathing at high altitudes and their restricted nasal passages can prevent them from eliminating extra body heat through respiration. Airlines sometimes advise against transporting such pets by air.
  • Tranquilizers and sedatives can have adverse effects on animals at high altitudes. Give medication to your pet only with the approval of your veterinarian. Never give your pet more than the prescribed dosage.
  • Let your airline know well in advance that you are planning to travel with your pet and reconfirm your plans 24-48 hours prior to your departure. This is especially necessary during periods of adverse weather conditions. It is also advisable to get to the airport with plenty of time to spare so you won’t be rushed.
  • It is preferable to book pets on direct, non-stop flights to minimize travel time and very important during the hot summer months to avoid flights in the middle of the day. Try to schedule an evening flight or one early in the morning when daily temperatures are normally at their lowest.
  • Pets must be transported inside a portable kennel that meets with U.S. Department of Agriculture requirements. The kennel must be sturdy, well ventilated, and big enough for your pet to stand up, turn around, and lie down. It must display the name and address of the pet’s owner and the telephone number of a person at the pet’s destination. It’s also recommended that you put your pet’s name on the kennel and make sure the kennel closes securely with a mechanism that does not require special tools to operate. Check with your airline if you have any doubts or questions about the kennel you plan to use.
  • USDA requires that pets have food and water within four hours of the time of departure. You are required to certify in a signed statement when you last offered your pet food and water and must attach empty food and water dishes to the inside of the kennel.
  • It is a good idea to take along a leash so you may walk your pet before check-in and after arrival, but do not leave the leash with the pet—either inside the kennel or attached to the outside.
  • If you are planning to take your pet in the cabin, check with your airline to assure that this is allowed on your flight and that there is space available. Carry-on pets are limited to smaller breeds, usually less than 10 pounds, and kennels must fit under the seat.
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