Travelling with Pets
I got this wonderful email from Shawn, Ian, Gus and Oxo Jaquiss about travelling with pets, so I've HTML-ized their work and placed it here. - Ducky.
First, airlines require proof of vaccinations and a current health certificate. Many states have different laws regarding the types of shots an animal is required to have so the owner MUST plan ahead. Call a traveller's bureau to see what is required in the state where the visit is planned. An animal can disembark in a state without the required shots but it CANNOT fly out of that state. Make sure that the health certificate will meet airline qualifications for the flight in AND the flight out. I almost had an extended vacation in Massachusetts because my certificate had expired and I couldn't reach a vet to renew it. Only fast talking and real tears got us on the flight.
The airlines have specific requirements designed to ensure the pet's safety. Make sure that the kennel in which the animal is confined is approved for air travel. If it's not, the animal cannot get on the plane. All animals must be able to lie down and stand (with head raised) comfortably in their kennels. Airlines also require that the pet have some sort of absorbent material on which to lie -- no material, no fly. The material serves as a cushion as well as a means of keeping urine and excrement contained.
Even if the flight is a straight through flight the animals should be accompanied by a bag of food. (I usually pack 2 Ziploc baggies for each dog and tape them to the top of the kennel.) If the pet is lost in the airport shuffle, or if there is an overlong lay over, the personnel will then be able to feed him. In furtherance of this goal, the kennels MUST be fitted with food and water trays. If there aren't trays on the door, the animals don't leave the ground. Some airlines offer these for sale. In fact, some airlines actually have crates for sale too. Don't count on it. Arrive ready to fly.
For the added safety of our pets, we ALWAYS leave a collar on them that has a tag with our name, our address and their name on it. That way, if the kennel is somehow opened, the dog can be returned to the correct crate (they have name tags on them). And, while they fly we like for them to have a chew toy in the crate with them. So far, I haven't seen any evidence that they have used them but we like to give them the option of occupation v. boredom. One more thing that has helped our dogs is the inclusion of a shirt that we've purposely "scented up" by wearing it two or three days. Sounds gross but it is comforting to the animal if he thinks that you're with him.
Animals have to be AT THE AIRPORT NOT LATER THAN ONE HOUR BEFORE FLIGHT. We've been told that arriving even fifty minutes early is not enough time for the animals to be properly attended. There are several forms to fill out before the pets can be loaded. One requires the owner to list when the animal was last fed and watered and names the person who will pick up the animals at the final destination. If the pet wasn't offered sustenance within the airline's time frame the animal CANNOT board the plane. Call the airline to make sure that the time frame is observed.
My husband and I decide in advance who will be in charge of the dogs (usually me) and we put that name on the kennel tag. It is important to make this decision because it could prevent confusion in the baggage claim area.
There is usually a substantial fee for flying. It has cost us $200 dollars one way for 2 large dogs. Some airlines restrict the size of the kennel which they will fly, others reserve the right to charge SIGNIGFICANT overweight fees.
We always make it a point to try to see that our dogs are actually loaded on the plane. If we don't see them get on, we flag a stewardess down to call below and find out for us. If our dogs are not on board, we won't fly. Fortunately, that hasn't happened. It is also best to seek the most direct route possible. Layovers are BAD. Some airlines don't take care of the animals as they should. I've heard stories of the baggage carts, loaded with pets, left on the tarmac in heat, cold and rain.
I know that your friend discouraged tranquilizing animals, but our dogs always fly with Benadryl in their stomachs. I like to soak Shredded Wheat with liquid B. The dogs think that it's the best treat in the world. However, DO NOT DO THIS UNLESS A VETERINARIAN HAS EXPLAINED HOW TO DOSE YOUR DOG OR IF TO DOSE THE DOG. It is true that some animals react VERY badly to any kind of chemically induced sleep.
Live cargo is usually unloaded first. Sometimes it's last, but not often. As soon as both dogs are in the baggage claim, I give them a cookie, attach leashes and run them outside to go to the bathroom and stretch. Always make sure that the person who collects the pet has the claim tickets, a driver's license AND is named on the sticker on top of the cage. We've never been questioned but there is always that possibility. It's a good idea to have leashes and cookies readily accessible as the animals are usually wild to get out of the crates. The baggage claim is not a good place to lose control of your pets.
If we rent a car, my husband usually goes directly to the rental place while I wait in baggage claim for the dogs and the luggage. Most rental companies don't like to let animals in the big buses. We were only able to travel that way once so don't count on it.
Always seek the advice of a veterinarian before flying any pet. Young puppies and old dogs should be left at home. We always take into consideration the length of our stay in the foreign state in relation to the flight. The longer the flight the longer our stay MUST be in order for the dogs to benefit from being with us as opposed to being in a kennel. Think of it like this, will three weeks in a kennel be more traumatic than five hours in the air?
An animal that has just come off a plane needs time to recuperate. Try to keep small children away from the pet until HE is ready to play. Be sure to lavish the animal with quiet attention as he has just had his world turned upside down. ALWAYS put the welfare of the animal above the desires of the human companion.
Flying with animals is a very hectic practice. Our dogs are both very large so our problems are exacerbated. What to do with the kennels when we get to our destination? Can we get the kennels AND the dogs in the car we rented? Will our luggage be stolen while the dogs are being attended to? Have we got all of the paperwork required by airline X and state X? Do we have enough food to last until we can locate a veterinarian (or pet store) that carries our brand?
Always call the airline the night before the scheduled flight to see if there are going to be any extenuating circumstances on their end requiring you to arrive even earlier than planned. Make sure to discover exactly what types of proof the airline needs to fly your pet. Will they need proof of ownership? I've never been asked but it is a possible question.
One thing more, try to locate a veterinarian in the place where you're visiting. Make a point to introduce yourself and explain your visit with a phone call BEFORE you go. It is always good to know a vet in the event of an emergency while away from home. We've had to make several mad dashes when our pets injured themselves while we were visiting relatives.
Another reader notes that if you are traveling by car with a pet, you should put your license plate number on the pet's tag. If you are staying at a campground or RV park, you might want to put your campground's location on the tag as well. She says that "shrink it" films (available cheaply at craft stores) are very durable and easy to read and can be shrunk in an RV's oven.
(I think this is an excellent idea, especially after seeing a forlorn couple holding a "LOST DOG" sign at the exit to Burning Man. 24,000 people were at Burning Man that year; I suspect they'll never see the dog again.)
A vet student writes:
Recently at an emergency animal clinic, I was approached by a very nervous dog owner. Her Siberian Husky went with her on a month long trip to Seattle, and on the connection flight on the way home her poor dog was left aboard the flight. When the owner was finally reunited with her dog 36 hours later, her dog acted out in a vicious manner and she wanted us to put her dog down. Frankly, the dog hadn't eaten in 2 days, it was groggy, and very angry at its owner for the abuse that it felt. After 15 minutes of coaxing, the dog came to me, and immeadiately eliminated. Every thing is fine now, but when the airline says that they will take care of your pets transfer, you as an owner have to supervise it, and even if you only have an hour or so, you need to get your animal out to stretch its legs, eat, potty, and know that it isn't alone and abused.
