Believe it or not, thousands of animals travel by air each year, to and from locations around the world. Although problems hardly arise, pet air travel is definitely not a simple procedure. If you are planning to put your pet on a plane soon, there are some dos and don’ts that you need to know.
DON’T
Don’t ignore requirements
Pet travel rules differ according to airline, and pet health requirements differ by country too. Without ALL the proper documentation, you may not only be prevented from boarding the flight with your pet, you may also face customs issues, quarantine or other consequences upon arrival.
Don’t sedate your pet
The American Veterinary Medical Association strongly recommends against sedating your pet. In fact, some airlines may even have a no-sedation policy and many reputable pet shipping companies will not accept sedated pets. You may ask, wouldn’t my pet be more relaxed if sedated?
Actually, sedation causes pets to feel fuzzy, therefore making them more confused and fearful instead of less. Moreover, sedation reduces their muscle control, so they cannot move around easily nor maintain their balance. And at high altitudes, it may cause cardiac and respiratory issues.
DO
1. Research
Read the information from the airline, the pet import guidelines of your destination country, and travel blogs. Get advice from pet owners who have travelled with their pets. Not all the information you get online will be accurate or current, but at least you will have a better understanding of the challenges of pet air travel. Be sure to obtain the correct information so that your pet can comply with your destination’s animal import regulations.
Depending on your pet’s port of origin and destination, travel options may be available, or not. If your pet has a snub nose – pugs, boxers, and some cats – your travel options may be limited. If you have a large dog, its travel options may also be limited by its size.
2. Talk to your vet as soon as possible
Health requirements and all the proper paperwork can take weeks or even months to comply with and to complete, depending on your destination. Make sure you know your deadlines, and ensure that your pet is healthy enough to fly.
3. Work with a professional pet transport company
Consider using a professional pet transport service. It is their business to arrange pet travel, therefore they will have access to the most accurate, up-to-date information. You can get tips and advice from them which are based on their own experience, which you won’t find elsewhere. Moreover, some airlines and countries may set a requirement that you use a professional shipper. Professional pet shippers are experienced in dealing with any issues that may arise.
4. Help your pet to get used to the travel kennel
This is important if you want to reduce the potential stress on your pet. Even if your pet has a kennel at home, a different kennel may be required for its travel which meets IATA standards. Make sure your pet has enough time to get used to its new travel kennel.
5. Talk to your tax advisor
If your pet is flying because you are re-locating your home, its travel-related expenses might be tax-deductible with your other moving expenses. Therefore you may find it useful to consult your tax advisor before you make any decisions about how to handle your pet’s move.