Traveling By Air And Ideas For You And Your Pets
Air travel is continually on the increase and an astonishing number of us would like to fly with our cat. For many years families have elected to take their family pet on camping vacations and road trips while preferring to leave them at home when traveling internationally or when taking a flight. As flights reduces in price the thought of taking our pet with us seems a possibility. The following looks at Air Travel, Pets, concentrating on traveling in England, Scotland and Wales.
Flights, Pets, and the Rules & Regulations
One of the imperative points to keep at the forefront of your mind in relation to air travel and your pet is the law. In Britain there are a number of laws which may apply, for example the “Safe Air Travel for Animals Act” (2000). Recently there has been an increase in security and where you once may have been allowed to carry small pets with you on a flight this may no longer be the case. It is, obviously, of vital importance that you check the facts with the airline before booking your flight. Nearly all airlines now stipulate precisely that all pets must be carried in suitable containers in the cargo hold. This is clearly much safer than taking the risk of an animal becoming distressed and causing a nuisance.
Although all small animals or pets are these days confined to the cargo hold some caring airlines will permit passengers to witness the pet being transferred on and off the aeroplane. However it is crucial that, when you book you make enquiries about this to the airline.
Other Important Considerations
1. The Pet’s Container
It is of the uppermost importance that you choose a pet box of the correct size, type and weight for the creature that will be living in it for the duration of the flight. There should always be sufficient extra room for the pet to be able to move about freelyat all times. The longer the duration of the flight the more increased the amount of extra space required.
2. Safety & Security Measures And Air Travel With Pets
At all times your pet box should be easily identified by the airline staff to avoid loss, which is always possible with any air travel. All pet boxes should be marked clearly with both the destination and a home address and full contact details. Also it is strongly advised that you include the details of an additional person in case of emergencies where you are unable be contacted. As well as fixing labels on the exterior also consider including some to the interior. Also take measure to make sure that your pet has a collar that is close fitting with an ID tag or similar. The risk of loss is least during continuous flights.
If it is affordable it also worth thinking about having your animal fitted with an electronic tag which is placed under the coat by a vetinary surgeon. As soon as you know when and where you will be taking a flight to make an appointment with the vet (or at least telephone) as he will be able to give important advice on what the requirements are when staying in |visiting another area or country. Your pet may require injections and there may be other precautions or restrictions to consider.
Prior planning is always the best approach and the very fact that you are at the end of this article is a clever decision. By ensuring you consider the pet air travel tips in this article and by seeking further hints and tips online and from your vet, you can be sure that you pet flies safely and securely while suffering the smallest amount of stress.
