International Pet Air Travel

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Pet air travel is becoming more common these days. Although international pet air travel is not cheap and involves a lot of preparation, still many expatriates decide to relocate overseas with their pet.

There are very good reasons for shipping your pet overseas:

• Your pet is one of your family members – Just as you wouldn't want to relocate overseas without your kids or spouse, so too, you wouldn't want to move abroad without your pet.
• Adjusting to your new country could be made easier by having your pet with you. It is relaxing and comforting to have a friendly and familiar face to welcome you in a foreign environment.

Having said the above - it is recommended that when making relocation decisions, to first consider what is best for your pet instead of what is best for you.

Some of the factors you should consider before shipping a pet overseas are: health, age, breed and your pet's character:

• Health – Take your pet for a veterinary check up. If the veterinarian suggests that your pet is too old or weak for a pet air travel, try to find him/her a new home. It’s better to have your pet safe than being injured during the relocation process.
• Age – Pets under 8 weeks old are not allowed to travel in the cargo hold of a plane.
• Breed – Pug-nosed animals should never travel in the cargo hold of a plane. These breeds have short nasal passages that leave them especially vulnerable to lack of oxygen and a heat shock. If your dog is a pug-nosed, be sure to discuss the issue with your veterinarian and with the airline. Many airlines will not accept pug-nosed animals for air travel. Here are some examples of pug-nosed dogs: American Staffordshire, English toy spaniel, Dutch Pug, Shih Tzu, Staffordshire bull terrier, Brussels Griffin,Pekinese, Boston terrier, English bulldog, Japanese Pug and Japanese Spaniel.
• Character - Shipping pets in the cargo hold of an airplane exposes your pet to stress, so only consider a pet air travel for a well-behaved pet. A pet that is not aggressive towards strangers.

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Pet Shipping Requirements

If after considering the above, you decide to relocate overseas with your pet then, advance planning will make your move less stressful on you and your pet.

Your first step should be to investigate and find out what is required for international pet air travel.

Here are some suggestions of what you should look into:

• Some countries limit the types of animals that you can bring into the country. Therefore you should consult the embassy of the country you are flying to for any legal requirements that you must meet. Some countries might have quarantine requirements for pets.
• Most airlines will not allow pets as carry on luggage or as checked baggage on international flights. Your pet will have to be shipped as cargo. Therefore please check with the airline if there are any restrictions on transporting your pet as cargo. Does the airline have any special pet health and immunization requirements? Does the airline require a specific type of airline pet carrier? Most airlines have time requirements, so gather all documents no more than 10 days before your flight
• Make an appointment with your pet's veterinarian for a check-up, and make sure all vaccinations are up to date. Obtain a health certificate from your vet no earlier than 10 days before departure. If after considering the above, you decide to relocate overseas with your pet then, advance planning will make your move less stressful on you and your pet.

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International Pet Travel - Tips for a Safe Flight

The Humane Society of the United States advices about pets being killed, injured, or lost
on commercial flights each year.

You can increase the chances of a safe flight for your pet by following these pet air travel tips:

• Always travel on the same flight as your pet. Make sure to use direct flights in order to avoid the mistakes that occur during airline transfers and possible delays in getting your pet off the plane.
  
• If traveling during the summer or winter months, choose flights that will accommodate the temperature extremes. Early morning or late evening flights are better in the summer; afternoon flights are better in the winter.
• Give your pet at least a month before your flight to become familiar with the pet air travel carrier - Permit your pet to explore the carrier. Place your pet's food dish inside the carrier and confine him or her to the carrier for brief periods. This will minimize his or her stress during the flight.
• Fit your pet with a collar that can't get caught in pet carrier doors. Your pet should wear an ID tag on its collar throughout the flight. The ID tag should have your name and phone number where you can be reached.
• Make sure that your pet's nails have been clipped to protect against their hooking in the carrier's door.
• Carry your pet's photo and health information with you on the plane for easy identification in the event the cage label is lost.
• Do not give your pet tranquilizers unless they are prescribed by your veterinarian. Make sure your veterinarian understands that the prescription is for air travel. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) explains this point very well.
• Do not feed your pet for four to six hours prior to air travel. Small amounts of water can be given before the trip. If possible, put ice cubes in the water tray attached to the inside of your pet's kennel. A full water bowl will only spill and cause discomfort.
• Your pet must travel in an airline approved pet carrier.

Airlines Pet Air Travel Carrier Requirements:

1. It must be large enough for the pet to lie down comfortably, turn around, and stand freely.

2. The airline pet carrier must be closed securely but not locked, allowing personnel to open it in case of emergency.

3. The kennel should be appropriately and clearly labeled. Include your pets name, your details and destination contact information, as well as a designation of "Live Animals," with arrows indicating the crate's upright position.

4. If you have a pet carrier on wheels, then the wheels should be removed or taped securely, so that the kennel can't roll.

5. The airline pet air travel carrier must be adequately ventilated. Some airlines request that all four sides will have ventilation, and some are fine with only two sides. You should check this directly with you airline.

6. Pet air travel carriers should have water and food bowls with outside access for filling, in case a delay occurs. Make sure to attach feeding instructions to the door.

7. You should check with your airline if there are any restrictions regarding the material your pet air travel carrier is made of. Most airlines will not allow kennels that are made of welded mesh, wire mesh, wicker, cardboard or collapsible materials.

8. The kennel should have a solid, leak-proof bottom that is covered with plenty of absorbent material, such as paper or cloth, to absorb any "accidents."

Choosing Pet Transportation Services

Some of you might feel that you do not have the extra time to handle all the bureaucracy and small details of shipping your pet safely.

If this is your case, then you might want to consider using pet transportation services. Of-course hiring a professional pet shipping company is not cheap, but it will facilitate the process and you will have more time to concentrate on other tasks concerning your relocating abroad.

Before trusting a pet shipping company with your precious pet, make sure that the company has the correct authority, experience, and knowledge to safely transport your pet. Choose a pet transportation company that specializes in your animal, so you know they have the proper knowledge and experience to handle your pet relocation overseas.

In addition, the pet shipping company should provide a minimum amount of insurance. Pet transportation insurance should cover loss, injury, or death of your pet during the trip. Usually, insurance will not cover illness or natural death during transportation.

Having difficulties to find a reliable pet shipping company?

No problem, you can find a pet shipper through the the Independent Pet and Animal Transportation Association International (IPTA). All IPTA members are registered with the applicable organizations within their own country and adhere to the rules and regulations of the Live Animals Regulations of the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

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Arriving in the Destination Country

The flight is finished and you arrived with your pet in the destination country.

First thing you should do is open the carrier and examine your pet. If anything seems wrong, take your pet to a veterinarian immediately. Get the results of the examination in writing.

In some countries your pet may be examined or held in quarantine. While these procedures are frustrating, they are necessary to protect your pet and native animals. Comply with all country officials, and you will be reunited with your pet as soon as possible.

For a smooth landing with your pet, you should take care of the following:

• Most of you will be staying at a suite hotel, or a furnished apartment, until finding a house. You have to realize that some hotels will not accept animals. So when booking your accommodation don't forget to check the hotels pet policies and restrictions. Make sure to book a pet friendly hotel as you wouldn't want to send your pet to a boarding facility.
• Same goes for renting a house/apartment in your destination country; before you sign a house/apartment lease contract, make sure that you are allowed to have a pet in the house. Don’t forget to look for a vet in your new neighborhood. You can ask colleagues or neighbors for references.
• Your pet, just like you and your family members, will need to adjust to the change and to the new surroundings. You can help your pet by surrounding him/her with familiar objects and people, and try to keep the same walking and feeding schedule.

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