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Flying with Pets
FLYING WITH PETS
Guidelines and helpful tips
- Pets must be at least 8 weeks old for travel.
- If you are traveling with 2 pets in the same kennel, they must be the same species and between 8 weeks and 6 months.
- Combined, be no more than 20 lbs.
- Obtain a health certificate from your veterinarian 10 days prior to travel. (Contact your pet’s airline for guidelines on health certificates.)
- When flying with your pet, try to book a direct flight.
- Make sure you pet is wearing a collar with ID tags on it.
- Include destination information.
- When purchasing a crate for shipping, look for one just large enough for the pet to sit, stand, and turn around in comfortably.
- Write “LIVE ANIMAL” on the kennel and use an arrow to indicate which way is the top for storage purposes.
- Write the name, date, and destination location of where your pet is flying , and include a picture of your pet on top of the kennel.
- Make sure the kennel door is secured but do not add additional locks in the event attendants needs to take your pet out for any reason.
- If the flight is delayed at any point, please contact personnel as soon as possible for the well-being of your pet.
- In the event of a delay, you may want to tape a small bag of food to the kennel for feeding purposes.
- For hydrating purposes, you can fill up a water bottle and freeze it the night before your trip. Then, the day of travel, puncture some holes in the bottle and put it in a bowl in the cage; this way, the water will melt, allowing your pet to have water without it being spilled during travel.
International Flying
- When traveling outside of the United States, additional planning and health requirements may be necessary.
- Most countries, including those of the European Union, now have a veterinary health certificate specific to their country that must be certified by the USDA.
- Contact the embassy of your destination prior to your pet’s veterinary appointment to make sure you have all forms filled out correctly and in their entirety.
- Pets may need a microchip and always require a current rabies vaccination. (Many countries do not recognize a three year rabies vaccine.)
- It may take six months or longer to prepare an animal for export to some countries.
- If you have any additional questions, please call the USDA at 410-349-9708 or 301-261-8072.
International Health Certificates
- Most countries require an international health certificate stamped by the USDA for entry. (Check with country of origin for guidance.)
- You can make an appointment at your local USDA office to have the signed health certificate stamped or send the paperwork via fed ex with a returned air bill included.
- International Health Certificates should be issued by a USDA –Accredited Veterinarian as near to the date of travel as possible but never more than 14 days before travel.
- Should include the name, age, breed and color of pet, country of origin, name, address, and phone number of pet’s owner as well as your destination address and phone number.
- Should state that the pet is healthy and free of parasites.
- Should include vaccinations and date given including the type, manufacturer, and batch number if possible.
- Rabies vaccination must be given at least 30 days before travel but no more than a year before travel.
THE RULES, REGULATIONS AND REQUIRED FORMS OF INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL ARE ALWAYS CHANGING. IF YOU HAVE BEEN TO YOUR DESTINATION RECENTLY ALWAYS, DOUBLE CHECK THE REQUIREMENTS FOR YOUR PET.
SEDATION FOR TRAVEL IS GENERALLY NOT RECOMMENDED
The effects of sedating drugs are unpredictable. It can cause hypertension which, when combined with changes in atmospheric pressure can lead to complications with cardiovascular status.
COMMON AIRLINE TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS
BREED
The breeds listed below are the most common breeds that most airlines do not fly due to breed characteristic - brachycephalic (short nosed) and having hereditary respiratory problems, which can lead to heat stroke or breathing problems when exposed to stress or extreme heat.
- American Staffordshire terrier
- Boston terrier
- Boxer
- Brussels Griffin
- Bull Terrier
- Dutch Pug
- English bulldog
- English toy spaniel
- French bulldog
- Japanese Chin
- Japanese Pug
- Pekinese
- Shih Tzu
- Shar-Pei
- Staffordshire bull terrier
WEATHER RESTRICTIONS
- Pets may be denied travel if temperatures are anticipated to be below 45 degrees or above 85 degrees Fahrenheit anywhere along the route of the itinerary.
- Some weather restrictions may be waived with a written statement from your veterinarian stating the temperature at which the animal is acclimated, name and address of the passenger, name of animal, name and signature of licensed veterinarian including vets accreditation and number.
- The letter must be dated within 10 days of the first flight and within 30 days of any subsequent travel within the same itinerary.
Your Pets Travel Agent
Listed below are a few companies that can help you with your pets itinerary.
Animal LandPet Movers
- Prearrange all necessary flights, ensuring a direct connectionwhen possible.
- Make sure that all necessary vaccinationsare current and that all paperworkis in place.
- Make sure all international requirements are met including import permits.
- Pick upyour pet at your house and deliver him to the airport.
- Meet your pet at the destination airport and deliver your new pet to your home.
- Arrange for kenneling on either end of the travel itinerary if necessary.
- Provide airline-approved travel kennels.
Contact toll free @ 877.379.8625
Pet Express
- Itineraries and flight arrangements for pets
- Ground transportation of pets
- Airline-approved travel crates
- Overnight boarding
- Health certificates and travel documents
- Identification and labeling
- Compliance with pet transportation regulations of various agencies
Call toll free @ 866-738-6683
U.S Airlines that fly pets
- AirTran Airways
- American Airlines
- Continental Airlines
- Delta Airlines
- Frontier Airlines
- Jet Blue Airlines
- Sky West Airlines
- Southwest Airlines
- United Airlines
- US Airways
Pet Only Airline
Pet Air
- Pets fly in the main cabin – NOT in cargo
- 34 Yrs experience shipping by air
- Service from over 150 airports
- Pickup and Delivery service available
- Visit their website at http://www.flypets.com/
Pet Friendly Airports
Alaska – Anchorage (ANC
Arizona – Phoenix (PHX) Tucson (TIA)
California – Fresno (FAT) Los Angeles (LAX) San Francisco (SFO)
Colorado – Denver (DIA) Colorado Springs (COS)
Connecticut – Windsor Locks (BDL)
Florida – Jacksonville (JAX) Miami (MIA) Orlando (MCO)
Georgia – Atlanta (ATL)
Hawaii – Honolulu (HNL)
Idaho – Boise (BOI)
Illinois – Chicago (ORD)
Indiana – Indianapolis (IND)
Kentucky – Louisville (SDF)
Maryland – Baltimore (BWI)
Massachusetts – Boston (BOS)
Michigan – Grand Rapids (GRR)
Minnesota – Minneapolis (MSP)
Missouri – St. Louis (STL)
Nevada – Las Vegas (LAS) Reno (RTIA)
New Mexico – Albuquerque (ABQ)
New York – Albany (ALB) Buffalo (BUF) New York (JFK Terminal 5 and 8)
North Carolina – Morrisville (RDU)
Ohio – Columbus (CMH)
Oklahoma – Oklahoma City (OKC)
Oregon – Portland (PDX)
Pennsylvania – Philadelphia (PHL)
Tennessee – Nashville (BNA)
Texas – Amarillo (AMA) Austin (AUS) Houston (IAH)
Utah – Salt Lake City (SLC)
Virginia – Arlington Reagan (DCA) Washington Dulles (IAD)
Washington – Seattle / Tacoma (SEA)