European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - November 17, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse Travel tips w i to air travel for pets risks fewer but owners urged to ship animals Only when necessary by James t. Yenckel the Washington Post in the recent Saga of Tabitha the cat who disappeared in the cargo hold of a jumbo Jet for 12 Days after a transcontinental flight pet owners could Well understand the anguish of Tabitha s mistress. Lost Luggage is a recognized Hazard of air travel but a missing pet can be a tragedy. Fortunately Tabitha turned up Safe. The incident could give dog and cat owners reason to doubt the ability of the nation s airlines to transport their pets safely. But tens of thousands of animals show dogs and cats and zoo bound creatures As Well As pets Fly annually As cargo without harm according to the american society for the prevention of cruelty to animals. American airlines alone reports it carries 100,000 animals a year. Among All . Carriers injury or death involving animals flying As cargo is very Low. Nonetheless there Are risks in the past 10 years there s been a drastic improvement in the Way animals Are being shipped of says Kathi travers the society s director of exotic animals and animal transportation. My dogs Fly All the time adds Priscilla Benkin a spokeswoman for the american dog owners association Many of whose members like Benkin raise show dogs. Her organization also has pushed for improvement in animal transportation procedures. But both organizations As Well As the humane society of the United states urge pet owners to ship their animals by air Only when necessary. If you Don t absolutely have to do it Don to says humane society spokeswoman Rachel Pancik. Shipping a pet is reasonable when you Are moving permanently to another location or will be away for several weeks or months the three groups Aoee. But a pet b better off at Home with a pet Sitter or in a Good Kennel. When you Are taking a Short vacation. Flying is the most stressful thing for animals says s As stressful As anything they go but the effects of stress Aren t the Only reason to think seriously before sending your pet into the belly of a Jet lots of things can a and sometimes do go wrong of you have not properly prepared your pet or if an airline makes a mistake. U v Twa recently was fined $60,000 after 51 puppies in a shipment of 100 destined for pet shops died a year ago in a closed cargo hold. The plane was delayed on the runway for 90 minutes in 100-degree summer heat according to Stephen Smith of the animal and Plant health inspection service of the department of agriculture the Agency regulating animal shipments. Smith and the animal welfare groups note that the cargo holds of Many types of Jet aircraft Are poorly ventilated while the planes Are on the ground. Normally this is not a cause for concern but when flight delays occur during hot weather the animals inside May suffocate. Rachel Lamb another spokeswoman for the humane society advises pet owners to let the Pilot know when they have a pet travelling in the cargo hold. Sometimes the pilots Are not aware they Are carrying animals she says a lapse in communication her organization is trying to remedy by pushing for legislation to require such Pilot notification. Unlike older planes such As 727s and 737s, newer Model aircraft. Have a system that forces air through the compartments which helps keep them Cool in the summer months while the aircraft Are on the ground says the air transport association of America an organization of major . Airlines in a brochure air travel for your dog or at least two things went wrong when Tabitha got Loose in the cargo hold of a Boeing 747 operated by Tower air a Small new York based Carrier. Benkin contends the Carrier in which the cat travelled was outmoded and inadequate. Doors often pop open on poor Quality containers she says and the animals escape. At the same time Tower air should never have accepted Tabitha for transport since the Carrier is hot registered with the animal and Plant health inspection service As required by the Federal animal welfare act says Smith. The incident is under investigation by the department of agriculture. Shi another reason to leave your pet at Home is that Fex procedure that can require. A Mit _ we tipping animals is a Kos of Advance planning. Among the difficulties shipping a pet is not a Spur of the moment decision. Animal welfare groups and pet experts strongly advise raving a pet that is flying for the first time a Chance to become acquainted with the Carrier in which it will be transported. At some Point the pet should be placed inside the Container and taken on a car ride so it becomes accustomed to motion. Some animals Are susceptible to motion sickness and should not Fly. You must Reserve space on the plane for your pet whether it is travelling in a Carrier with you in the Cabin or being shipped As checked baggage or As cargo. Airlines accept a limited number of animals per flight depending on the size of the plane. Because of weather problems your pet May not be permitted to Fly on the Day you have chosen to travel and you May have to rearrange your schedule at the last minute for the safety of your pet to abide by safety rules airlines generally do not accept pets for transport if the temperature at the departure connecting or arrival Airport is higher than 85 degrees. You might have to switch to a later flight when the air has cooled or Fly groups offer tips to make flying comfortable several animal welfare groups Federal agencies and pet experts have compiled suggestions for your pet s flight. ". R schedule a nonstop flight whenever possible Fly Early in the Day when there is less Chance for delays and avoid Busy Holiday and weekend travel. Fly major . Airlines rather than the new Cut rate carriers where personnel May not have had animal care training. When you Are flying with pets is not the time to look for cheap fares says Priscilla Benkin a spokeswoman for the american dog owners association. American airlines sends its cargo handlers to a class called pets Are customers during hot weather Fly Early in the morning or in the evening to keep your pet out of the heat a lot of people plan a trip for their convenience in mind says Cus Whitcomb of american airlines but they can t do. That. It should be for the pet s Don t use an inadequate Container. By department of agriculture standards a proper Carrier must allow room for the animal to stand sit breathe and rest it should be easy to open Strong enough to withstand shipping hazards and free of objects that could cause injury. A solid leak proof floor that is covered with litter or an absorbent lining is essential. The Container must have Side rims so other cargo can t be shoved against it blocking ventilation and it should be labelled live animal on the top and one Side. Also it must have grips or handles for carrying. Don t give your pet a tranquil Izer unless the veterinarian prescribes one make sure your name address Telephone number and the pet s destination Are on the top of the Container. If you Are sending your pet As checked baggage verify that the baggage claim tag shows the Correct destination a a is securely attached. Also Mark the Container with your pet s name. Before you Board ask the attendant at the boarding Gate to phone the cargo area to make sure your pet is being placed on your flight carry a Leash so you can walk your pet before and after the flight remember you Are your pet s Only advocate when you Fly him or her by air says the humane society of the United states in a pamphlet flying your pet by take All necessary precautions and Don t hesitate to question what you Are told by the airline transporting your pet Jarnes t. Yenckel Carol Ann Trimmal was reunited with her cat after Tabitha was lost in the bowels of a747 for 12 Days. Another Day either Way this Means changing your ticket and plans. Some pets especially dog should not Fly because of their age Breed disposition or health. These include pets under the age of 8 weeks which by Law can t be shipped As baggage or cargo excitable dogs which May tear off claws or break Teeth trying to get out of the Carrier and sick pregnant or elderly dogs. Airlines require that owners obtain a health certificate for their pet within 10 Days of a flight. Ask the veterinarian if your pet is healthy enough to Fly. Large dogs must be snipped in containers that May not fit into the cargo holds of some planes. In addition to Federal Laws each airline sets its own policies and rates for carrying pets. For example not All airlines accept pets As carry on baggage in passenger Cabins. Well ahead of a flight you should Check with f your airline for its specific requirements. Foreign airlines serving the United states do not currently have to abide by Federal animal transport regulations. But Smith believes his Agency has the Power to apply to International airlines and it is strongly considering doing so. Many countries enforce quarantines on arriving animals. Make sure you Are familiar with the local Laws at your destination. Brochures offer advice for travel several organizations offer free publications with tips on transporting a pet by air. Send a business size self addressed and stamped envelope to animal and Plant health inspection service animal care staff 6505 Belcrest Road Hyattsville my. 20782, 301 436-7833. Ask for travelling by air with your pet complaints of animal mistreatment involving airline personnel should be sent to this office. Consumer affairs office 1-25, . Department of transportation 400 seventh St so Washington . 20590, 202 366-2220. Ask for plane talk transporting live complaints about animals lost in air transport or questions about reimbursement for losses should be directed to this office. American society for the prevention of cruelty to animals education department 424 e. 92nd St., new York 10128, 212 876-7700. Ask for travel tip humane society of the United states 2100 l St. New attention air Washington 20037, 202 452-1100. Air transport association of America 1301 Pennsylvania ave. New suite 1100, Washington . 20004, 202 626-4000. Ask for air travel for your dog or cat James t. Yenckel november 17, 1994 stripes Magazine 25
