Rules for air travel
Friday, September 18th, 2009From my last post you got an idea about the kind of problems one might come across while traveling with pets and also the ways of countering them. I tried to cover all the areas but dealt with each one of them rather briefly. So, in this one I am going to elaborate on air travel in detail.
As you know that the options of commuting with a dog by bus, train, or ship, are limited you have to opt for air travel.
So, what are the steps you should follow:
1. All dogs are not fit to fly – Short-nosed breeds like boxers and bulldogs, dogs with respiratory and heart diseases, young pups, senior dogs and frightened dogs are considered unfit for traveling.
2. Consult your vet - Before traveling get your doggy examined by a vet and discuss natural stress-relief remedies. Also find out if you can put him on light sedation in case of too much stress.
3. Crate should have a true identifier - It is always likely that two crates might look alike. So, what you should do is attach a piece of paper mentioning all your details on the crate. For making it unique you can also take time off and write something like ‘I’m Molly and I’m a good doggy!’ on the crate so that the crew don’t manhandle the crate.
4. Make your pet comfortable – As he would have to spend quite some time inside a crate you should make the ambience as cosy and familiar as possible. Provide him with a soft cushion so that he can be at ease. Also give him chewable toys to play with.
5. Keep water inside the crate - Always keep a fresh supply of water inside the crate and in order to do that you can fill up the plate with water the previous night and freeze it. You can carry the plate to the airport and put it inside the crate before flying.
6. Always use a nylon collar - If you write any information on the nylon collar it won’t go missing. But tags suspended from chain collars can get stuck in the wires of the kennel door and get damaged.
7. Acquaint your doggy to the crate – Never put your doggy into the crate immediately before traveling. Allow him to be himself for some time. Provide him with a light meal and also give him sufficient amount of water. He should also relieve himself before leaving for the airport.
8. Be polite to the crew – Leave a photo of your pet and other details with the crew in case of any emergency and always be very polite in your dealings with them.
By following these simple steps you can make your pet’s journey a safe and enjoyable one!