European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - July 28, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse From Page 4 been dead on arrival. To prevent recrimination later an autopsy is performed by the station s resident veterinarian before the animal is Given to its owner. The cause of death might Well be old age obesity and pre existing heart problems Schuttz said. Schuttz advises owners of old or sick pets to have the animals checked by a veterinarian before they arc shipped a just like elderly people Are advised to get medical checkups before they Fly. Pet owners should also make sure that the animals travel Container is Large enough for the dog or cat to stand up turn around completely and lie on its Side. If the Container is too Small said Schuttz the animal station will refuse to ship it. Schutte has seen dogs of All temperaments at the station from those that Are frightened to vicious ones. He knows How to handle most of them. A a frightened dog is the most difficult a he said. Quot a frightened dog does t really want to bite but he a so scared that he just snaps at a person. A a vicious dog is just show ing courage. And you can take his courage away a without using he recently demonstrated How he handles vicious dogs using As an example a Rottweiler that was about to be shipped. Quot ill come in Here slam that door shut stomp As hard As i can up this aisle and March up to the Cage. I yank open the door of the Cage go up to the dog until 1 can touch it with my belly and slam the door shut behind me. Then with my belly i push him into his travel Box. A believe me. I be never had a dog bite me in the Jim Dykes and Caitlin turn into pack rules for pets include common sense maj. James Blagg wont ship his pets Home when he rotates to the United states. His pets arc fish. Hell probably donate them to the local school. A a it a possible but difficult and usually not Worth the Cost to ship fish he said. As chief of the veterinary plans operations and animal medical div at 7th medical come in Heidelberg Germany Blagg can Tell you the How to a of shipping just about any pet. According to Blagge a records there arc 67,601 registered pets that belong to army air Force and Navy service members throughout Europe. Of those 35,694 arc dogs 30,246 Are cats and 1,661 Are other types of animals such As Birds hamsters and Guinea pigs. That a a lot of pets and that Means a lot of paperwork. Like humans pets Are required to have certain documents when they travel overseas. They also need certain vaccinations to help prevent the spread of animal diseases. Without these they May be subject to quarantines of up to 30 Days when they arrive in the on dogs cats Here Are rules concerning the shipment of dogs and cats from Europe to the United Stales. A take your pet to a veterinarian Between 30 and 90 Days prior to the flight to obtain the necessary immunizations and to update the animal s records. The United states requires for entry that All dogs older than 12 weeks have a rabies vaccination that is at least 30 Days old but no older than one year. Cats Are not required to have rabies vaccinations but Blagg recommends it because the disease is prevalent in Many parts of Europe. Blagg also recommends that dogs receive vaccinations against distemper hepatitis leptospirosis and in some instances Kennel cough and parvo virus. Those vaccinations Are a Normal Good preventive health measures Quot Blagg said. The animals the animal shipping station at Frankfurt a Airport will be in indirect Contact with other animals that May have the diseases and because moving is stressful for them be More susceptible to diseases. You May also want to obtain heartworm medication for your dog depending on destination and time of year. A within 10 Days of the flight you la need to return to the vet to obtain a signed health certificate stating that the animal has been inspected for diseases and has been found healthy. These certificates May not be older than 10 Days when you arrive in the Stales or else they become invalid. A Tranquili Zers Are generally not recommended unless your pet is extremely hyperactive. The smaller the animal the greater the risk. Tranquili Zers lower the blood pressure and body temperature and smaller animals cannot compensate As Well As larger ones. A on the flip Side Quot said Blagg. Quot animals that Are High Strung that tend to tear up the Cage or be destructive would require some sedation so that they done to injure themselves in flight. Quot the Best thing to do is to Check with your veterinarian especially if he knows the animal and see what his recommendation Blagg does no to recommend Tranquili Zers for cats a just because they once the pet gets used to the noises of the plane he said it will often Settle Down. A amps Gus Schuehler prepares even raccoons for flights to . A some pets be shipped at All said Blagg. Animals that Are old or have a debilitating disease or respiratory problems can be at closed in feeling animals probably Don t feel much More comfortable cooped up several hours in a travel Container than human beings would. Here Are tips on How to make your pets trip a More pleasant one. A travel containers should be Large enough so that your pet can stand up turn around and lie on its Side. Many airlines and pet shipping agencies Regusc to ship your pet if the Container is too Small. Some airlines will allow two pets in one Container if there is enough room and the animals Are compatible. Its a Good idea to obtain a Container far enough in Advance so that your pet has time to try it out and get used to it before the flight. A putting a familiar toy or Small Blanket into the Container will help Comfort your pet during the flight. But its not necessary to add a heavy Doggie Blanket. Airlines must maintain a certain temperature for animals a just slightly cooler than the passenger department. A Blagg does t recommend putting food or water in the Container. Quot what a better instead is if you Lake a Bath oni Imick on Pune it july 28. 1991 sunday Page 5
