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| Good News for Your Jet Setting Pets |
In the interest of keeping animals safer when flying, The FAA
Reauthorization Bill (HR 1000) was recently passed and includes the
following stipulations: airlines are required to improve training for
employees handling animals; all incidents of loss, injury, or death of
a pet must be reported; and these reports must be made available to
the public.
Here are some things YOU can do to make sure your pet's air travels
go smoothly:
Before traveling, accustom your pet to the kennel in which it will be
shipped. Make sure that the door latches securely.
Clip your animal's nails to prevent them from catching and hooking.
Do not give your pet solid food in the six hours prior to the flight,
although a moderate amount of water and a walk before and after the
flight are advised.
Do not administer sedation to your pet without the approval of a
veterinarian, and provide a test dose before the trip to gauge how
the pet will react.
Be sure to reserve a space for your pet in advance, and inquire about
time and location for drop-off and pick-up.
Try to schedule a non-stop flight; avoid connections and the heavy
traffic of a holiday or weekend flight.
When you board, try to tell a pilot and a flight attendant that there
is a pet in the cargo hold. The airlines have a system for providing
such notification, but it doesn't hurt to mention it yourself.
For overseas travel (including Hawaii), inquire about any special
health requirements such as quarantine.
Write your name, address and phone number on the kennel, and make sure
your pet is wearing a tag with the same information. Consider
purchasing a temporary tag showing your destination address and phone
number. Bring a photo of your pet, in case it is lost.
Your careful planning will help ensure that your pet arrives safely at
its destination!
Reports of animal mistreatment by airline personnel should be directed
to:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Animal Care Staff, APHIS-REAC-AC
4700 River Road
Riverdale, MD 20737
301-734-7833
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