Air Travel for Pets

Air travel is on the increase and an increasing number of us wish to fly with our pets. For years families have taken their family pet on camping vacations and road trips while leaving them at home when traveling internationally or when flying. As air travel becomes cheaper the thought of taking our pet with us seems an attractive option.

The first thing you need to be aware of is that there are laws about pet air travel, for example the "Safe Air Travel for Animals Act" of 2000. For smaller pets it may be most suitable to carry your pet with you but, in these days of extra security, many airlines stipulate that all animals are transported in the cargo hold. Furthermore having your pet on your lap while flying is a very great responsibility as you must keep it under control at all times, imagine if your pet becomes distressed and begins to run riot, how are you to gain control? It is far more sensible to ensure your pets comfort in cargo.

It is always best that you travel on the same flight as your pet and, if you are lucky, your airline will allow you to watch as your pet is transfered to and from the aircraft. Before you book your flight you should contact your chosen airline and request some information about their rules and regulations for flying with pets. All airlines will have procedures in place for the transport of animals and many will offer a choice of carriers. The type and size of the carrier will depend upon the type, size and weight of the animal to be transported. For shorter flights a smaller container will suffice but if you are taking a long flight you must ensure that there is sufficient room in the container for the animal to be able to move around a little or, at the very least, be able to turn around.

Your pets carrier should be clearly marked, any air travel has a risk of luggage going missing and the last thing anyone wants is a poor little creature to end up abandoned in a strange place. By labeling the pets container clearly with name, owner and both the destination address and home address (and details of a person to be contacted) together with contact numbers and even email, you can be sure that your pet will get to where you are going, (or be sent home if necessary). Remember also that direct/non-stop/continuous flights carry least risk of loss as most mistakes occur during transfers. If possible fit a close fitting collar to your pet with identification details, making sure that any tags can not get caught anywhere.

Well before you travel take your pet to be examined by a veterinarian. While there let the vet know that you plan to travel by air and also let him know the destination. Your vet will be able to advise you of any precautions you should take but also of any restrictions that may apply. If you are traveling internationally it is highly likely that you will need to take extra precautions such as injections/inoculations.

If you are traveling to England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland it may be necessary for your pet to be placed into quarantine before being admitted into the UK. The UK government runs a Pet Travel Scheme with information available on the defra website at www.defra.gov.uk This site also includes further tips on traveling with pets. Another site well worth a visit is the site of the Humane Society at www.hsus.org which has a comprehensive page all about pet air travel with some tips not covered here.

By taking the care to plan your pet's air travel you can relax and enjoy your flight rather than worry unnecessarily. Arriving in a good frame of mind to greet your pet calmly will help him/her recover quickly. Enjoy your trip.

Phil Hamilton writes extensively for travel and accommodation sites about the U. K. (United Kingdom) where he has lived for the past 35 years. Although Phil spends most of his time staying in England hotels he also travels extensively in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.