In International pet travel, myths abound.
Not in any order, here are some that we hear from clients all the time:
Myth #1 :
Airlines allow pets to travel under the seat if size permits.
Reality: Airlines have their own rules that change depending on who is answering the phones that day. This is a very precarious endeavor. Domestic flights are one thing but having a pet under the seat for a 13-hour ride over international waters is a completely different beast. Imagine a cat having to sit still, quietly, for that long. When we drive cats to the airport for cargo check-in, for example, often the Kitties are very vocal about their concern for their predicament. The crying never stops, from the front door to the cargo door. Why? One reason is too much activity going on around them. You know how most cats are.
Myth #2 :
Health certificates for international air travel are good for 30 Days.
Reality: We get plenty of calls from pet guardians who want help booking the flight because the health certificate, as well as everything else, has “already been completed.” Some health certificates state clearly that they are good for 30 days. That is a large window, and that window is what the pet owner is basing their timeline on. But the airline’s cut-off is ten days. That airline date supersedes any destination country’s deadline.
Speaking of airlines…
Myth #3 :
All airlines allow pets to be transported.
Reality: Not all airlines allow pets in the cargo hold (carry-on and in-cabin are another story). As of this writing, United Airlines, and Jet Blue, for example, do not allow pets to travel in cargo at all. These policies do occasionally change, which means it is worthwhile to check with the airline directly to confirm current policies and get them to send them to you in writing.
Unfortunately, policies can be outdated, especially if you refer to an airline’s website for reference. If you talk to a human, we suggest you call back three times and talk to three different humans. Not all airline staff knows the correct information when it comes to pet relocation.
And guess what? Size does matter. ‘Have a 120-pound Bernese Mountain Dog? Many cargo doors are not tall enough to fit this fur ball’s crate through their doors. And then there is the breed issue. Snub-nosed dogs, “dangerous breeds” and some cat breeds are strictly forbidden from traveling on many airlines. Lufthansa has consistently been the most accepting of these outlier breeds. A final word on this – hire a reputable pet shipping company to help you navigate this sky travel.
Myth #4 :
Information posted on an airline’s website is accurate and current.
Reality: The last person you want to get information from with respect to transporting a pet on an airline, is the airline. Yes, that sounds crazy, but think about how many people work in customer service. The only ones that are versed in pet travel are those that are connected to the cargo division and those in supervisorial positions. And guess what? With few exceptions, it is near to impossible to get to those folks on the phone or to respond to an email (if you can find an email). We get lots of calls from travelers that have shown up at the airport with their dog or cat and are told at the gate that even though they were advised that they could take their doggie with them – they can’t. And at that point, we can’t do anything.
Myth #5 :
All countries allow pets to be imported.
Reality: Depending on your destination, you may find that your sweet, lovey dog (or cat) is not allowed into your new country. The United Kingdom, for example, does not allow certain breeds to enter the country. Here they are Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and Fila Brasileiro. But, according to the official UK government site, “Whether your dog is a banned type depends on what it looks like, rather than its breed or name.” Nice.
It is important to research the destination country’s requirements well in advance of your travel date. At AE Pets, we recommend the sooner, the better.
Myth #6 :
Sedation is the answer.
Reality: Sedation can have risks for traveling animals. It can affect their ability to regulate body temperature and heart rate. We recommend crate training well in advance of the flight. This can help them to feel secure in their travel crate.
Another thing we recommend for those that have very high levels of anxiety are pheromones that can be sprayed in the crate shortly before departure. Never spray a cat’s fur. They really don’t appreciate that!
Here are some suggestions for cats, and here are some for dogs. Also, include a blanket that smells like home. Additionally, injuries during a turbulent ride can occur if a pet is not alert. Although pet fatalities are extremely rare, statistics show that a vast majority of deaths occur while a pet is under sedation.
So, there you have it, six myths demystified. Stay tuned for the next chapter of International Pet Travel: Myth Busters.