If airline travel is stressful for people, it's probably more so for cats and dogs, which may not fully understand where they are and what's going on. If you're faced with the prospect of flying with a beloved pet, there are a number of steps you can take to make sure your dog or cat is as safe and comfortable as possible while in the airline's care.
New York journalist Nina Munk has written for national magazines from Forbes to The New Yorker, and is the founder and chief executive of Urbanhound: the city dog's ultimate survival guide. She's also the proud owner of an urban hound named Mack, who lives happily in Manhattan's Gramercy Park with Nina, her husband Pablo, and their new baby boy. Here, Nina offers tips to help airline travelers make sure their beloved pets stay happy and healthy in the air:
- Direct flights. Try to take your pet on direct flights only. Stops and changeovers not only increase the time your pet must stay in the crate, but also increase the chances of something going wrong. Most of us have had baggage misdirected during a plane change; we surely don't want this to happen to our pets!
- Temperature. According to Munk, you should schedule summer flights for late in the day to avoid the worst of the heat. Likewise, plan for midday flights in winter to avoid severe cold.
- The crate. Use a top quality airline-approved pet crate that has lots of room for your dog or cat to turn around in. Munk recommends covering it with stickers, paint, labels or anything else that will make it conspicuous. If airline workers notice the crate, they'll be less likely to forget or neglect your pet.
- The baggage handler. When you're headed for the plane, you'll likely be asked to leave your pet in a designated area where a baggage handler will pick him or her up. Munk advises that you stay there beside the crate until the baggage handler arrives, as this will let you know that everything is taken care of. You can also say hello to the handler, offer a tip, and ask nicely that he or she take extra special care of your pet. There's no guarantee that this will make a difference, but at least you'll know you've done everything you can.
For more information on pet care and flying with pets, check out the following organizations and websites:
Urbanhound
www.urbanhound.com/
Healthypet.com: Flying with Pets
www.healthypet.com
Town News.com: Flying with Pets
townnews.atevo.com
British Airways: Pets Travel Scheme
www.britishairways.coml
The Humane Society of the United States
www.hsus.org/ace/352
American Humane Association
www.americanhumane.org/
Next: Companion Air
)
