Flying With Your
Dog
A pet owner must research the many requirements before
taking a dog on an airplane. Different airlines have slightly
different regulations, but most airlines follow the same
basic set of rules in regards to flying with a dog.
One universal rule is that dogs cannot fly on a plane without
the owner on board. Each airline that was contacted for this
article has a rule that outlaws flying unaccompanied dogs
from one point to another. Realize that the airline considers
dogs to be cargo. Just as you are not allowed to send your
luggage across the country without also being present, same
thing goes when it comes to your dog. The intent of each
rule is slightly different (it's unlikely that a bomb would
be inside of a dog), but the bottom line is that the airlines
to not want to be responsible for your dog. However, if you
absolutely must transport your dog without being present,
you can contact a licensed and approved pet transportation
company to get the job done for you.
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Before you even go to the airport,
you need to make an appointment with your veterinarian.
All airlines mandate that every dog that boards the
plane must receive a full physical examination and
be tested for various diseases (rabies is their main
concern) prior to boarding. Usually the airline will
want the exam certificate be dated within 30 to 60
days prior to the date of the flight, so the exam you
had last year will not work for a flight you plan on
taking next week.
Also, be aware of weather restrictions. These might
be a big inconvenience, but they are in place to
ensure the safety of your pet. The cargo area on
an airplane can be incredibly hot. Because of this,
there are restrictions on what times of the year
dogs are allowed to travel to and from certain regions.
Virtually all airlines will as well enforce weather
and temperature related restrictions. For instance,
if the temperature in the arrival or departure city
is hotter than 85 degrees Fahrenheit, pets will not
be permitted on the plane. Do not argue with the
airline staff, because this is for your dog's safety. |
Many airlines are currently allowing pets to be transported
in the cabin of the plane, as long as they can comfortably
fit into the in-cabin kennel cage (usually 22” long
by 9”). The price of this service varies by airline
but is usually under $100.00. This is considerably cheaper
in comparison to the pets flying in the cargo hold which
is not as safe and which can cost upwards of $300.00 on some
airlines.
When flying internationally, be aware that the customs laws
of many countries prohibit the entrance of dogs across their
borders. Airlines are required to comply with these laws,
and in many cases your dog will not be able to join you on
an international flight at all.
Eric Shannon is a freelance author who also publishes the
Dog
Lovers Report, which is a biweekly newsletter with a
very large readership. He also runs Beds For Doggies, which
carries a large selection of Dog Beds, Dog Couches, and Dog
Furniture.
Thank you for using 4Dog Info for
information on Flying With Your Dog.
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