As the summer travel season heats up, you might be planning a trip
with your family—including Fluffy. Over two million pets and other live animals
are transported by air every year in the United States. If you’re traveling
abroad, you’ll need to meet the animal
health requirements of the country you’re visiting. Before getting on the plane,
these tips will help make traveling
with your pet safe and enjoyable.
- Ask your airline about requirements for
and restrictions on traveling with a pet. Check with your airline to find out if
they allow pets in the passenger cabin. If you can’t bring your furry friend on your
flight as checked or carry-on baggage, you might be able to ship your pet as
cargo. Also, you’ll likely have to provide a certificate from a veterinarian
stating that your pet is in good health. However, airlines may not require
health certificates for service animals used by people with disabilities.
- Make sure you bring an approved kennel. The kennel for a carry-on pet must fit
under the seat in front of you, and your airline will likely require your pet
to stay in the kennel during the flight and in the airport. You’ll want to de-clutter your pet’s kennel before you get to the airport, in case TSA agents
need to do a physical inspection of your pet’s carrier.
- Carry a leash. Whether you need to walk Fido through
a metal detector, or carry him through, bringing a leash can help keep your
animal under control in the busy airport environment.
- Consider your pet’s comfort. Traveling, particularly loading and
unloading, can be stressful for an animal, so you should consider your pet’s comfort. Try feeding your pet a light meal two hours
before getting to the airport. Walk your pet before leaving for the airport,
and again before checking in. While you should leave the sedatives at home, if
you’re thinking about giving your pet something to help it sleep easier on the
trip, always check with your veterinarian first.
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