Have Pet, Will Travel ~ Pawprints and Purrs, Inc.

Have Pet, Will Travel

When traveling, carry a first aid kit with your pet's current health certificate and vaccination tags. The following items are easily found at pharmacies or wherever over-the-counter drugs are sold. Store the items in a moisture proof container that is easily accessible in an emergency, but out of reach of children and pets. Include a list of emergency telephone numbers on an index card. Laminate the card or place it in a plastic cover. Prior to traveling with your pet, research the availability of emergency veterinarians to and at your destination. The better prepared you are, the less likely you will panic in emergency situations.

Two rolls of gauze: one roll 2" wide, one 3-4" wide

White surgical tape: 1" in width

Two rolls of elastic wrap: one roll 2" wide, one 3-4" wide

One roll of cotton battin 12" in width

An emergency ice pack

A bottle of one percent (1%) hydrogen peroxide

A box of exam gloves

A pillow case - for transporting the ill or injured cat

A blanket - for warmth

A towel - for a splint

A bottle of saline eye wash

Two rectal thermometers

A pair of blunt-tipped scissors

A pair of tweezers

A flashlight

A bottle of antihistamine

A box of baking soda

When making travel arrangements, look for ways to maximize comfort and minimize risk for your companion animal. Is it really necessary to fly, or can you drive, go via passenger train, or take a ship instead? Can you leave your companion at home with a relative or trusted sitter?

The Unfriendly Skies

While flying may seem at first to be the fastest and least stressful way to go, flying an animal in the cargo compartment can be extremely dangerous, even fatal. Although the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) doesn't keep statistics on how many animals are injured or die each year in transit, almost every major airline has been fined repeatedly for violations of the Animal Welfare Act.(1)

Cargo holds generally have no heat or air conditioning, so they can reach extreme temperatures quickly. In one case, five dogs were loaded onto a flight that was delayed for nearly three hours in sweltering heat. Passengers heard the dogs' frantic barks, but the airline refused to do anything. When the plane reached its destination, only two of the dogs were still alive.(2)

Most cargo compartments are also unventilated to help prevent fires. Former Federal Aviation Administration safety officer Jim Wippert warns, "An animal in the hold has a limited amount of oxygen to breathe. When the oxygen is gone, so is the animal. It happens. The airlines don't like to talk about it."(3) In 1990, 32 puppies on a Delta flight and 24 dogs on a United flight suffocated after delays depleted their oxygen supplies.(4)

Tragedies also occur because of improperly trained or uncaring airline personnel. One cat flown from Los Angeles was killed when an American Airlines employee drove a baggage conveyor over the cat's crate.(5) Sometimes cats and dogs escape from carriers damaged in transit and become lost inside airplanes or airplane hangars, never to be found.

Preparing for the Flight

When making reservations, let the airline know you will be carrying an animal with you; most airlines limit the number of animals on board. Ask for the airline's rules for animal transport to avoid problems.
If you are traveling abroad, or to Hawaii, check with the relevant embassy for quarantine laws. A lengthy quarantine can be a stressful ordeal for an animal. If you must put your animal through it, be sure to visit every day to alleviate his/her boredom and loneliness.
Be sure to use a sturdy, escape-proof carrying kennel, as cats can easily squeeze through small openings. USDA-approved kennels, required by most airlines, are available through airlines or at pet supply stores.
Open the carrier several days before the trip to let the animal get used to it.
To avoid an upset stomach, do not feed your animal for six to eight hours before flight. Give water immediately before placing him/her in the carrier.
Tranquilized animals may remain frightened and lose most motor control. Tranquilizers diminish the body's ability to regulate temperature, which is important when traveling.(6) Only tranquilize animals if they are frantic and could hurt themselves trying to escape. (Use a veterinarian-prescribed tranquilizer.)
Make sure your animal is wearing a collar and an identification tag. Take some temporary tags with you, one for each place you will be staying. (Be sure to keep the permanent tag on too.)

Minimizing Risk

If you absolutely must fly your animal friend in the cargo hold, take the following precautions:

Always book a non-stop flight. Animals are at extra risk of accidents, trauma, and escape during transfers. If you must transfer, ask about the airline's transfer policy. Most will not transfer animals to a connecting flight; you will need to retrieve them at the baggage claim area and recheck them.

Avoid extreme temperatures. Fly in the very early morning or after dark if there is warm weather at either end of your journey. Fly during the day in winter. Don't ever fly on an extremely hot or frigid day. Animals can freeze to death, suffocate, or die of heat prostration in cargo holds, especially if there is a delay.

Avoid "hub" airports and heavy traffic days such as holidays and weekends, when delays are more likely.

Verify that the kennel's baggage claim tag shows the correct destination and is securely attached. Also, double check the carrier's clasp, and consider padlocking it. It must be adequately ventilated, with at least a 3/4-inch rim around the sides so that the air holes aren't covered if the cage is pressed against other boxes.

Mark the kennel with the animal's name, your name, address, phone number, and destination. Include information about feeding and watering, even if the animal is not to be fed or watered. Write "Live Animal" in at least one-inch-high letters, with arrows showing which side is up.

Do not put a leash in the carrier. It could fall out and get tangled or your animal could get twisted in it and get strangled.

If the flight is delayed, inform the crew that an animal is on board, and ask that the captain be informed. If the delay is lengthy, the animal must be removed from the plane until flight time. Insist on this. Remember, you are the only person who is going to protect your animal and think of him/her as other than property. When one heartbroken passenger sued an airline after his dog died of heat exhaustion in the cargo hold, a federal judge ruled that the dog's death was the equivalent of "lost luggage."(7)

Watch as your animal is loaded into the cargo area to assure that he/she is on your flight. If you cannot watch, ask the flight attendant to phone the cargo area to make sure your animal is on the flight - before you board.

When you reach your destination, retrieve your animal immediately. If you notice anything wrong, rush to a veterinarian.

On the Road

Driving is less risky than flying. The following tips will help make your journey safer.

Don't feed dogs and cats within an hour of departure, but carry water for rest stops. No-spill travel bowls are available in many animal supply stores and catalogs.
Install shade blinds on car windows and never leave animals unattended. A car can quickly become an oven. Also, animals left alone are vulnerable to theft.
For dogs prone to carsickness, consult your veterinarian for remedies.
Cats can turn into escape artists on the road, so confine them to sturdy, well-ventilated carriers big enough for them to stand up and turn around in comfortably. Line the carrier with a towel and a tiny litter tray, and secure the carrier to the seat with a belt.
Dogs can travel in a kennel or ride unrestrained. Stay alert to prevent possible escapes. For added safety, some stores and catalogs sell companion animal restraint devices similar to seatbelts. To try the safety belt from Pedigrees, call 716-352-1232.
Don't carry your animal in a cardboard box - it will provide almost no protection in an accident.
If your cat or dog is unrestrained, never open a car window or door. Countless dogs and cats have been lost at tollbooths and rest stops this way.
Stop to walk dogs often.
"Touring with Towser," a directory of U.S. hotels and motels that accommodate animals, is available from Professional Services, P.O. Box 877, Young America, MN 55399 ($1.50 prepaid). Take Your Pet USA provides a listing of hotels and motels that accommodate animals: Artco Publishing, 12 Channel St., Boston, MA 02210; 800-255-8038.

References:

"Regulators Probing 3 Airlines After 61 Dogs Die Last Summer," The Houston Post, December 19, 1990.
"On a Hot Plane, Three Dogs Die," Philadelphia Inquirer, September 26, 1991.
"Pets Aloft," letters, AAA World, Jan/Feb 1994.
"Pets on Planes: Too Often It's a Rough Ride," Condé Nast Traveler, June 1992.
"Animal Deaths Trigger Federal Agency's Action Against American," Fort Worth Star-Telegram, October 28, 1993.
"10 Tips to Ease Your Pet's Next Flight," Los Angeles Times, February 14, 1988.
"Pet Who Died in Jet's Hold Is Ruled Baggage," The New York Times, February 16, 1994.

PETA
Email: People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
501 Front St.
Norfolk, VA 23510
Phone: 757-622-PETA

HSUS Tips on Traveling with Pets During Summer Months:

WASHINGTON (May 31, 2001) Summertime means vacation, when people will be traveling by car, train, ship and plane with their loved ones, including their pets. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has travel guidelines to help make your trip as safe and smooth as possible for you and your pet.

"Traveling with pet requires thoughtful, advanced preparation," said Nancy Peterson, HSUS companion animals issues specialist. In your pet's best interest, be sure he enjoys traveling before taking him on a long trip and be sure he'll be a welcomed guest at your destination.

If you decide to take your pet on vacation, schedule a vet exam before trip. If your pet needs health certificate, your vet can issue one. Carry it and proof of rabies vaccination so you have documentation in hand in case any problems arise.

The following are some tips on traveling with your pet. For more details, including what pet supplies you should consider for your trip, go to HSUS Web site.

Traveling by Car:

If he is accustomed to one, secure your canine with a restraining harness (that works like seatbelts work for people) to ensure Fido is safe during travel. Or place your dog in a well-ventilated, hard-sided kennel. Always keep cats in carriers while traveling by car for your safety as well as theirs.
Don't allow your pet to stick his or her head outside the window. Doing so can subject your pet to injury by flying debris or illness by having cold air forced into his lungs. Never transport a pet in the back of a pickup truck.
Stop frequently to allow your pet to exercise and eliminate. Never permit your pet to leave the car without a collar, ID tag and leash.
Never leave your pet unattended in parked car. On warm days, the temperature in your car can rise to 120 degrees in minutes, even with the windows slightly opened. Also, an animal left alone in a car is an open invitation to pet thieves.

Traveling by Plane:

More than 500,000 animals are transported by air every year, according to Airline Transportation Association (ATA). Tragically, an estimated 5,000 of these animals are killed, injured or lost each year. Most injuries to animals traveling by airplane are due to extreme heat or cold, poorly ventilated cargo holds, mishandling by baggage personnel and damage to kennels.

HSUS recommends pets not be transported by air unless absolutely necessary. If you must travel by air, call an airline to check health and immunization requirements for the pet.
Take small animals in carriers that fit under seat onboard with you. Contact airlines to find out specific requirements, including type and measurements of carrier, for taking a pet onboard.
Use direct flights to avoid mistakes that occur during airline transfers and possible delays in getting your pet off the plane.
Notify the captain and at least one flight attendant your pet is traveling in the cargo hold. If the captain knows there are pets on board, he or she may take special precautions.
Fit your pet with a collar that can't get caught in carrier doors. Instead of a dangling tag, affix ID on collar and carrier with your name, address and phone number, as well as temporary travel ID with address and phone number where you can be reached at your travel destination.

Travel by Ship or Train:

With the exception of assistance dogs, only a few cruise lines accept pets. Contact cruise lines in advance about policies and kennel facilities. If you must use the ship's kennel, make sure it's protected from elements.

Amtrak currently doesn't accept pets for transport unless they're assistance dogs. There may be smaller U.S. railroad companies that permit animals onboard trains. Many trains in Europe allow pets.

If you decide not to travel with your pet, consider hiring a professional petsitter or placing your pet in a boarding kennel. Tips on selecting petsitter and kennel can be found on the HSUS Web site.

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization with more than seven million constituents.

Additional Travel Information: Airline Travel with Your Cat

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