- Check and double check airline policies.
- Be aware of weather conditions when you book your tickets. Airlines do not have temperature controlled cargo areas and reserve the right to refuse animal service if the conditions are too extreme.
- Reserve tickets as early as possible for both you and your pet. Take direct flights, avoid connections and lay overs. Use Airlines that hand carry your pet in their carrier to and from the aircraft. Avoid the busiest travel times so airline personnel will have extra time to handle your pet.
- Get an airline-approved crate. Some airlines allow owners to carry on crates for small pets, as long as they fit under the seat and do not create an annoyance.
- The crate should be large enough for your pet to stand up and turn around freely.
- The cage's walls should be strong and waterproof to prevent crushing and waste leakage.
- There must be adequate ventilation on at lease three sides of the cage.
- The cage must have sturdy handles for baggage personnel to use.
- There should also be a water tray which is accessible from the outside so water can be added if needed.
- Cover the bottom of the cage with an absorptive covering.
- Check with the airline to see if they have other requirements.
- Do not feed your pet for six hours before the flight. Allow water up to flight time with water available in the cage. Give fresh water upon arrival.
- Make sure cage has specific feeding and identification labels permanently attached.
- Your pet should have an identification tag that lists your name, address and telephone number.
- For the flight, put a small luggage tag on the collar displaying your destination information.
- Mark your crate with your dog's information and your flight information.
- Consider microchipping your dog.
- Attach a feeding schedule for a 24 hour period to the kennel in case your pet doesn't make it to the final destination and airline attendants will need to care for your pet.
- Make sure that the information on your dog's ticket is exactly the same as the information on your ticket.
- At your destination, let the gate attendant know there is a live animal on board and you would like it unloaded as soon as possible. Once the attendant has made the call, head straight to baggage claim.
- Did You Know that all service dogs travel free of charge within the United States? Airlines require proof of disability.
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Traveling With Your Pet
