All requirements for crates, cages or containers used to transport live animals are defined by the International Air Transport Association and almost every airline in the world recognizes those requirements. Before preparing your pet’s crate for travel, it is important to know type of crate will keep your pet safe during travel and what will conform to airline requirements.
Purchasing a pet crate
Whether your pet’s crate is constructed from sturdy plastic, wood*, it must be closed, escape proof, non-toxic, and extremely sturdy and able to withstand freight activity. Your pet’s crate must protect your pet from unauthorized access or accidental opening. The inside must be leak-proof and all edges smooth or rounded so as not to cause any injury to your pet.
*Some airlines will not accept wood crates. Air France is an example.
The crate must be suitable for airline staff to handle without injury. Spacer bars should be present on larger crates and handles on smaller crates. Wheels, if present, must be removed at check in.
Ventilation openings must be present on a minimum of three sides for domestic flights and four sides for international flights in the upper portion of the crate. The diameter of the ventilation holes must not be more than one inch for transporting dogs and 3/4 inch for cats.
The crate door should be welded metal mesh with a spring-loaded lock that cannot be opened from the inside.
Round water/food bowl(s) must be attached to the crate or crate door in a location that is accessible to staff without opening the door of the crate. As the shipper, you are responsible for the provision of the food. It is important to note that many countries do not allow food containing animal products to be imported. Feeding and watering instructions should be included in the Shipper’s Declaration and adhered to the top of the crate. The administration of any medication should also be included.
Your pet’s crate must be appropriately labeled without blocking any ventilation openings. The full name, address and contact number for the shipper must be provided on the Shipper’s Declaration. The shipper, owner or representative of the owner who will be available 24/7 must also be provided. Live Animal Stickers (one with arrows pointing upwards) should be placed on three sides of the crate. If your pet is aggressive, a label indicating that your pet will bite should be attached to the crate. Your pet’s name should be adhered to the crate. A sticker titled “Live Animals” must be attached to the crate with the type of animal indicated. The labels should be green in color and the lettering should be one inch high.
Measuring your pet’s crate
The next step in selecting the proper crate for your pet is to measure it and work the following formula:
Length of Crate/Kennel = A + 1/2 C
Width of Crate/Kennel =C x 2
Height of Crate/Kennel = D
If two pets are transported in the crate/kennel, width = C x 3
If three pets are transported in the crate/kennel, width = C x 4
Length and width are the same as for one pet.
The length of your pet (A) must be taken from the tip of the nose to the base (not tip) of the tail. The height of your pet (D) is taken from the top of the head (or the tips of the ears, if erect) to the ground. The width (C) is the measurement between the front shoulders. Note that brachycephalic (snub-nosed) pets will require a crate that is one size larger than required, or a minimum of 10% additional measurements depending on your airline.
These measurements are minimums specified by IATA. Individual airlines can increase these measurements should they choose. As an example, British Airways includes the pet pad in the height measurement.
Interior Crate/Kennel Dimensions of pre-manufactured plastic pet crates such as Petmate Sky Kennel crates:
- Small (Series 100) 17″L x 12″W x 13″H
- Medium (Series 200) 23″L x 16″W x 19.5″H
- Intermediate (Series 300) 28″L x 16″W x 24″H
- Large (Series 400) 32″L x 22″W x 26″H
- Extra Large (Series 500) 36″L x 24″W x 26″H
- Giant (Series 700) 39″L x 30″W x 32″H
With these measurements, you can select the appropriate crate size for your pet.
Pretrip and acclimation
When your pet crate arrives, unpack it, separate the bottom and top halves and wipe it out with a mild solution of soap and water. Do not assemble it unless your pet’s travel is immediate.
Take the time to acclimate your pet to its carrier. The time it will take to accomplish this will depend on your pet’s personality. The important thing is to be consistent and not give up. Acclimating your pet to its carrier is the best thing you can do to reduce its stress during the trip.
Related: Acclimating your pet to its crate
Preparing your pet’s crate for travel
Make sure that your pet’s crate is properly assembled. After positioning the door in place, put the top of the crate over the bottom half, aligning the holes. Use crate hardware to connect both halves, leaving the holes in the corners and right next to the doors alone. You will zip tie these holes later.
Attach the live animal stickers to the outside of the crate. The Shipper’s Declaration will go on the top of the crate and the Live Animal and directional stickers will go on the bottom half of the sides of the crate.
Insert your pet’s health certificate and any other documents required for travel into a vinyl sleeve or a zip-lock clear freezer bag, mark as ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS – DO NOT REMOVE, and tape to the top of the crate. Make a label with your pet’s name on it and attach over the door or on the top of the crate.
Place an absorbent pad in the bottom of the crate. Do not use kitty litter, hay, straw or wood chips as many countries will not permit these materials.
Fill the plastic bowl provided with the crate or secured elsewhere with water and freeze the bowl. Don’t forget to take the bowl out of the freezer and attach it to the inside of the door or crate on the day your pet travels. Attach a small bag of your pet’s food to the top of the crate if the flight will be lengthy or delayed.
If you need crate accessories, Live Animal Stickers or cable ties for preparing your pet’s crate for travel, you can find them at PetTravelStore.com.
Day of travel
Shortly before you are ready to check your pet with the airline, take it for one more walk on the designated area on airport grounds. Attach the frozen water bowl to the inside of the crate door.
Be very sure your pet’s veterinary documents are attached to the top of the crate and the Shipper’s Declaration is completed.
Do not give your pet a medical tranquilizer unless absolutely necessary and only under the advisement of your veterinarian and approval from your airline. There are natural pet calming products available which will calm your pet and make it easier for them to sleep but will not affect their breathing.
Check your pet according to your airline’s requirements. Generally, this is one and one half to two hours for checked baggage but may be up to four hours for pets flying as air cargo.
If you are flying on the same flight as your pet, ask the flight attendant to inform the captain that there is a pet traveling in the cargo hold and please monitor conditions in the hold. Ask if they can confirm that your pet has been loaded.
On arrival
The location where you will pick up your pet will vary depending on the class of service it flies under (checked baggage or air cargo). Some countries will take your pet to a special holding area where it will clear customs. Generally, pets traveling as checked baggage will be in their crate in the baggage area against a wall or in an area where oversized bags such as golf clubs or skis are kept. If you do not see your pet, go to the office where lost baggage is reported and the attendant will advise you. If your pet is flying as air cargo, you will claim it at your airline’s cargo facility.
Your pet may seem a bit disoriented and perhaps out of sorts or very excited to see you after the flight. A few treats for good behavior, hugs and a long walk will make everything better. The first trip may be harder than any succeeding ones as pets learn from past experiences. Aside from the brief separation and unfamiliar surrounds, your pet will be much happier with you than waiting for you at home.
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