Move One’s Tips on Transporting Pets
October 12, 2009
Move One Relocations’ Pet Transportation Manager and animal lover, Emoke Hartyani provides us with tips and advise on Dos and Don’ts when it comes to transporting your pets.
1. Begin to prepare your pet for its journey a few days in advance by slowly reducing its quantity of food.
2. Try to get your pet used to its crate before you leave. Leave soft bedding and a favorite toy within and encourage your pet to sleep in the crate, so it will be familiar and less frightening on travel day. A piece of the owner’s clothing, such as an old t-shirt can comfort the pet throughout the journey.
3. Walk your dog before leaving your house and again just before check in.
4. Different airlines, different animals and different countries all require different documentation for pet travel. Country regulations pertaining to your destination should be checked with the relevant embassy. An accredited pet shipper, like Move One Relocations’ pet transportation division, can inform you of what permits and papers are necessary for your pet, and will arrange for same. No animal can board a plane unless all documents are in order.
5. The travel crate, supplied by the shipper, must meet the airline’s standards and be large enough the pet to lie down comfortably, turn around and stand freely. There is currently talk of increasing the size of regulation pet containers, although no final decision has been made by the airline authorities. An increase in container size would dramatically increase shipment costs.
6. Book a non stop flight and take temperatures into consideration. In summer try to arrange a night flight when it is cooler and conversely, book a daytime flight for the pet during winter.
7. Extreme temperatures can prohibit pet transportation. Such heat and cold embargoes and are in place to protect pets. Contrary to popular opinion this is not because the cargo hold onboard a plane is not climate controlled (it is!) but rather due to the suffocating temperatures on the tarmac upon departure and arrival.
8. Pug nosed dogs like pekinese, bulldogs and boston terriers, not great travelers at the best of times, are at greater risk during the summer months. Their susceptibility to respiratory problems aggravated by the heat. Many airlines will not carry these breeds during summer months.
9. A dog should be at least 8 weeks old, and fully weaned.
10. Bear in mind that a puppy will grow and make sure the container ordered will be big enough to accommodate the animal on the day of travel. If the dog has outgrown its container, it will not be allowed to board the plane.
11. Be aware that if your dog appears in anyway unhealthy, it will not be allowed to board the plane.
12. Do not medicate your dog, airlines will not accept sleeping pets. The animal must be able to use its reflexes during take off and landing.
13. Do not feed your pet before traveling. Dogs can easily stand going without food for 24 hours. Cruel as it might seem, remember any discomfort incurred through lack of food is better than the alternative – traveling in a waste littered crate. On the other hand, it is important to give the animal water, which the airline will provide for the pet.
14. Ask your pet shipper to inform you of all the regulations regarding your airline and your flight.
If you would like to book your pet’s specific relocation with us, or for further information about our general pet relocation services, please contact us at pet@moveonerelo.com. One of our dedicated animal relocation agents will follow up with you shortly with a quote tailor-made to your needs.
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