Airline Travel with Your Pets

International Travel with a Pet As Baggage

Most airlines have the regulations for transporting pets on their web sites. If not apparent, check under the frequently asked questions section. The following advice comes from one major airline about bringing pets to Mexico:

• Do not tranquilize the animal.
• In the summer, make sure the crate has plenty of ventilation.
• Do not put food or water in the crate. Tape a small envelope of dry food to the top of the crate. Also tape on a leash.
• Put 2 small plastic dishes in the crate to hold food and water at stopovers.
• For cats, do not put kitty litter in the crate. Shred lots of newspaper instead.
• When making a connection to a different carrier you MUST claim your pet, recheck it with the second carrier, and pay another excess baggage charge. 
• Put something like a bright-colored yarn pom-pom on the crate for easy recognition at a distance. 
• Ask the airline if the aircraft is jet or prop. If flying by prop, the airline may refuse to transport your pet in extreme weather.
• Tape a note to the top of the crate stating your destination, contact name and phone number, the last time the pet was fed, the details of any medication pet may be on, and when the animal was last dosed. For example:
  My name is_______. I'm going to be picked up in_______by_______. You can reach my owner at (phone number)_______. I was last fed at_______. My medication is_______. I was last dosed at_______.

Airline Pet Carriers/Pet Crates

What the airlines require:

1. A kennel. It must be tall enough so the dog can sit or stand without ducking and long enough for the dog to remain comfortably in the "down" position. The kennel must be twice as wide as the dog's shoulders and be airline approved (durably built). It must have separate water and food dishes attached to door, be well ventilated and have absorbent bedding (newspaper, blanket, etc.). All this isn't too difficult for smaller dogs, but your choices are very limited with larger dogs.
2. A health certificate. The certificate must be issued by a licensed veterinarian no more than 10 days before the flight.
3. Reasonable weather. I was told they wouldn't carry the animal if the temperature was less than 32 degrees or more than 85 degrees.
4. Cost. This varies depending on who ships the pet and how the dog travels. When outfitting the crate for travel, be sure it contains all of the following features:
   

• The words LIVE ANIMALS in 1 inch high letters are visible on the top of the crate and at least one side.
• Name, address and telephone number of the animal's destination on the top of the crate.
• Security latched (not locked) doors.
• Two dishes—one for food and one for water—that are easily accessible to airline personnel. 
• Absorbent lining, such as towels or puppy pads. 
• Arrows or other markings to indicate the top of the crate. 
• Handles or grips for secure transport. 
• Well-ventilated, with exterior rims or knobs to prevent blocked airflow.

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