When Pigs (and Other Pets) Fly

When Pigs (and Other Pets) Fly
from Runzheimer International

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Approximately two million live animals were transported by air in 2000, according to the Department of Transportation. Some flew in the cabin, others as cargo. And nearly 1% of these animals arrived damaged, reports an article from Runzheimer International. To help reduce the number of pet losses, new regulations were developed in 1999 by the Department of Agriculture and the Federal Aviation Administration, and passed into law in April 2000. "The new regulations tend to most often affect cats and dogs, but if transferees or travelers have pets such as horses, llamas, snakes, lizards or monkeys, they need to pay even closer attention to the new rules," notes Runzheimer Senior Editor Nat Workman.

Not surprisingly, soon after the new legislation passed, airlines began modifying their live animal policies. United, Delta, TWA, American, Northwest and US Airways, for example, began as a summer pet embargo claiming it was unsafe to transport animals in hot weather. Most airlines will, however, allow one pet per owner to fly in the cabin if the pet is contained within a carrier small enough to fit under the seat. A $50 to $75 veterinary health certificate is also required. Flyers may not be able to simply check in small pets as carry-on luggage anymore. The general rule is one pet per first class or business section, and two or three pets in coach, depending on the size of the plane.

If there is no space in the cabin, the pets must be shipped as cargo. The pet and carrier are weighed and placed into a heated and pressurized portion of the cargo hold. Transferees and other travelers should note that this costs much more than checking the pet as baggage.

Runzheimer offers the following tips for flying with pets:

With a small pet, most usually a cat, reserve its space in the cabin when seats are purchased.
Avoid stopovers and heavy holiday or weekend flight traffic.
Do not feed the pet six hours prior to the flight, and provide moderate water.
Do not give the pet a tranquilizer before flying; the combination of a sedative and high altitude is not good.
Accustom your pet to the kennel in which it will be shipped, and make sure the door latches securely.
For overseas travel, including Hawaii, inquire about special health requirements such as quarantine.
Write your name, address and phone number on the kennel. Attach a copy of this information to the pet, as well.
Bring a photo of the pet in case it is lost.

If you are unfamiliar with the red tape involved with shipping Fluffy or Fido, consider hiring a professional pet shipping company to help make the arrangements," notes Workman, "especially if the pet has to travel as cargo."