When you can’t accompany your pet

Perhaps you are moving and you need to get settled before your pet joins you in your new home or for whatever reason you and your pet are in separate locations and you need your pet to join you.

In almost all instances you will need to move your pet using an airline and your pet will be sent as air cargo. Virtually all airlines accept pets except for Southwest Airlines and the smaller commuter airlines that do not have facilities for them.

Today’s modern airliners have special compartments for live animals where the temperature and pressure is the same as in the cabin. Most airlines even have special programs to take care of your pet and some even offer frequent flyer miles. Hundreds of pets travel alone every day and arrive safely at their destination.

Steps to follow: Have your veterinarian prepare the APHIS form 7001 stating that your pet is healthy enough to travel and is free of parasites.

Acquire an airline-approved kennel large enough for your pet to stand up in and turn around. If possible purchase the kennel well in advance of the trip to allow your pet a chance to get used to the kennel before the travel date.

Contact the Air Cargo department of the airline you have chosen and make a reservation for your pets travel. You will be charged based upon the combined weight of the pet and the kennel.

Be aware of the summer embargo that prohibits the airlines from loading a pet into the cargo area if the runway temperature is above 85 degrees. You may have to find a flight that leaves late at night.

If you have someone who will take your pet to the departure airport and check them in at air cargo and you have someone to pick the pet up at the arrival airport then you are all set.

If not you will need to use the resources of a pet transportation company such as PuppyTravel.Com. These companies can make all of the arrangements or just the portion that you cannot handle on your own. Of course there is a fee for their services.