There are various rules that regulate shipping your dog by air. Ultimately, you are responsible for knowing and complying with these rules. Remember, you will have to prepare your dog for air transport, provide supplies, and ensure your dog’s health and safety.
Should your dog travel by air?
Some dogs are not fit for air travel. The cargo bay of an airplane will inevitably be a stressful place for your dog, so make sure to only ship a healthy dog by air.
Do not ship your dog by air if they are:
- A puppy (under 8 weeks old)
- Elderly or Ill
- Injured
- Aggressive
- Not crated trained
- Pug or "snub" nosed
What documentation do you need?
Your airline should be able to tell you what kind of documentation is required to ship your dog by air. Most airlines will ask for healthy and vaccination certificates. You can get these papers from your vet, but make sure to check with your airline about time requirements. Most airlines require that the documents are signed no more than 10 days before the flight.
What supplies do you need?
The first thing you will need when shipping your dog is an appropriate kennel. Make sure to buy a kennel large enough to allow your dog to sit, stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably.
If your dog is traveling with you inside the cabin, not in the cargo bay, the kennel must be able to fit underneath the seat. Obviously, this is only appropriate for very small dogs.
Make sure to also pack these items with your dog:
- Collar and ID tags
- A Leash
- A serving of your dog’s regular food
- A water dish and ice
- A recent picture of your dog
- Your destination and contact information
What to do when you arrive at the airport:
When you arrive for departure, make sure to arrive well ahead of time. You will need some extra time to process your pet as cargo, but don’t arrive too early! The earlier you arrive, the longer your dog will be held with cargo. Most airlines suggest you arrive no earlier than three hours in advance.
Before you head to the airport, find out where the cargo area of the airport is located. You cannot check your dog as regular luggage, so you will have to take him or her to the loading dock.
If your dog has any special needs or feeding requirements, give these in writing to the airline employee. It’s always a good idea to tip the employee who takes your dog and request that they take extra care of your puppy.
Try to book a window seat towards the front of the plane, so you can watch your dog being loaded and unloaded. You will also be one of the first to get off the plane, so you can be reunited with your dog quickly!
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