Many airlines allow the transport of live animals.
Most major airlines and many specialty airlines offer pet travel for birds, cats and dogs. Each airline has its own specific guidelines; check with the airline of your choice before travel. Most airlines allow a pet to travel in the cabin with its owner if the pet's crate will fit beneath the seat. Large pets must ship as excess baggage or in the cargo hold of the plane.
Instructions
1. Make reservations well in advance of the pet's shipping date. If traveling with your pet, make the pet's reservation when you book your own. Try to schedule a non-stop flight so the pet does not have to switch planes if it will be traveling as baggage in the cargo hold. Most airlines require unaccompanied pets, no matter what size the pet is, to be shipped in the cargo hold.
2. Take your pet for a complete checkup at the veterinarian's no more then 10 days before the travel dates. Most airlines require a signed health certificate from a veterinarian and proof of vaccinations before the pet can ship.
3. Purchase a kennel (or crate) that is airline approved from a pet store and certified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Crates that are acceptable for flight clearly state this on the manufacturer's label. Make sure the pet can stand up and turn around in the kennel.
4. Write "live animal" on the sides and top of the crate. Place clearly visible arrows on the crate that show which way is up.
5. Place a collar with the pet's ID and information on the pet's neck prior to shipping. Affix an envelope with information about your pet to the top of the crate. Tape a picture of the pet to the top of the crate.
6. Line the crate with absorbent material such as sheets of newspaper. Shredded newspaper also will work.
7. Place a familiar toy and blanket in the crate with the animal. The reminders of home will help lessen the pet's stress level.
8. Feed, water and provide a bathroom break for your pet before placing the pet in the crate for shipping. Many airlines will not allow a pet to fly for more than 12 hours. If the pet flies for more than 12 hours, it must have food in a dish within its crate and a separate water bowl for the airline to provide the pet with water. Use dry kibble on an extended flight because the food will more than likely spill out of the dish during the flight. Place ice cubes in the pet's water bowl to provide a source of water if the pet will be flying under the seat in the cabin of the plane with the owner.
9. Locate the area where you will drop off the pet. Pets traveling as excess baggage or in the cargo hold have special locations by the loading dock at the airport where they must be dropped off or within the airport at designated drop off locations. Check with the specific airline about the exact drop off location. Pets traveling as cargo or excess baggage will need to be checked in before human check in. If the pet will be flying in the cabin with you, arrive at the check-in counter at the required time specified by the airline to receive boarding passes.
10. Pick up the pet traveling as excess baggage or in the cargo hold at the spot designated by the airline. Some airlines have a pickup location in the airport itself while others use a separate cargo location.
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