Banned carriage of Brachycephalic dogs and cats on Cathay Pacific

No carriage of Brachycephalic dogs and cats on Cathay Pacific from 18 July 2011

 The airline has banned the so-called brachycephalic breeds (pugs, bulldogs, and boxers, as well Himalayan, Persian and exotic short-hair cats) due to concerns that certain types of short-nosed animals have an increased risk of breathing problems and overheating due to the stress of flying.


The move comes a year after the U.S. Department of Transport (DOT) released figures detailing the number of in-flight canine deaths between May 2005 and May 2010.

Step-by-step instructions on how to correctly measure your pet before transportation

Rules for Flying With a Service Dog

Here are some of the old and new rules as well as progress in animal relief areas that is currently worth mention.  As ones that used to travel with a service animal, this topic is very close to our heart, and that said, we hope that if you do travel with an animal that you have trained yourself, as we did, that you do so responsibly.  

Existing Rules:  

• Airlines can not ask passengers what their disability is, but they can ask what the service animal does for the individual, which will briefly touch on that person's special needs (and therefore eluding to their disability).
• Airlines are required to provide service animal relief areas and must cooperate with airport operators to make these areas accessible and readily available for both arriving and connecting passengers.
•  TSA will expedite passengers to and from outdoor relief areas if they are on the other side of security and a passenger needs to relieve the service animal during a connecting flight.

Newest Rule: 

•  Passengers traveling with "emotional support animals" (which are not currently defined the same as a service animal) must give the airline 48 hours advance notice and provide a letter of verification and special need from their doctor.

International Rules: 

Many countries have very strict rules regarding animals and traveling with pets, and no matter what the laws are in the US, as well as no matter whether the new 382 ruling requires their airlines to comply with the rules, if the country's existing laws prohibit animals in some way, they prohibit US travelers with service animals as well and are awarded a "conflict of law waiver" in regard to following 382. Of note, the Philippines, Jamaica, and Mexico have already received their conflict of law waivers, and do not, nor likely will soon, allow service animals into their countries.


For More Information Contact PetsVentura Pet Relocation Solutions:

Airline Animal Incident Reports

Please note that the data for each airline does not necessarily indicate the quality of service that it provides, because the number of animals transported by each airline varies widely.  For example, Continental Airlines, which transports numerous pets, has emphasized that incident reports are filed for less than 0.05% of the pets that it transports.  Further, Southwest Airlines until recently did not transport pets (in contrast to service animals, as required by law), and no reports have been filed by Southwest to date. http://www.thirdamendment.com/animals.html

The reports essentially give pet owners information they can use to decide how to and whether to travel with animals.

Such statistics to someone who has lost a beloved pet is like quoting similar data on the safe transport of unaccompanied minors to the caregiver of a child who is lost en route.









Consider all the options before you decide to put your pet on an airplane. Here are some general guidelines:
 

Short-Nosed Dogs and Air Travel

In July 2010, the U.S. Department of Transportation released statistics that showed short-nosed breeds of dogs—such as pugs, Boston Terriers, boxers, mastiffs, Pekingese, Lhasa Apsos, Shih Tzus and bulldogs—are more likely to die on airplanes than dogs with normal-length muzzles.

 In fact, over the last 5 years, approximately one-half of the 122 dog deaths associated with airline flights involved these short-faced breeds. 25 of the 122 dogs that died over the 5-year period were English bulldogs, followed by 11 pugs, the only other breed in double digits. Although these numbers seem a bit scary, keep in mind that this is a very small number when compared to the hundreds of thousands of animals that fly every year.

As a result of the tighter space, they are prone to problems such as smaller-than-normal nostrils, a longer-than-normal soft palate, and a narrowed trachea (or windpipe).

Because of these abnormalities, they don't breathe as efficiently as dogs with normal-length snouts and can have difficulty cooling off when they're playing or exercising, or if they're stressed or overheated. And when they're stressed, their airway can actually collapse (either partially or completely) and cut off their airflow.

It's like breathing through a straw – if you gently suck through the straw, there's no problem getting air. But when you really try to suck hard through the straw, similar to what these dogs may do when they're stressed, exercising or overheating, the straw collapses and you don't get air. This doesn't always cause death, but it can cut off their oxygen supply temporarily and cause the dogs to collapse or overheat.

Complain About Your Airline Pet Travel Service

If you experience this kind of problem with your airline, you may want to deal with it by lodging a complaint with the airline or to one of the authorities that oversee air transportation.

Whenever you can identify a problem on the spot, your best option will usually be to bring it to the airline's attention and give them a chance to resolve the issue. If you are at the airport, then contact the airline's customer service representatives, a manager, or some other employee who has the authority to immediately take care of your problem. If you are in flight, then contact the head flight attendant.

If your complaint involved a U.S. airline or a non-US airline operating in the United States, you may want to submit your complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). You can file a formal complaint in one of the following ways:

 http://www.speedbrake.com/sendit.htm

Call the Aviation Consumer Protection Division at 202-366-0511 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting   202-366-0511 end_of_the_skype_highlighting to record your complaint.

Submit your complaint to the Department of Transportation's Aviation Consumer Protection Division using their online form at airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/escomplaint/es.cfm.

Mail a written complaint to the following address:
Aviation Consumer Protection Division, C-75
U.S. Department of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Ave., SE
Washington, D.C. 20590

Assistant Administrator for System Safety ASY-100
Federal Aviation Administration
800 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20591

You can also contact the FAA by phone at 866-TELL-FAA begin_of_the_skype_highlighting   866-TELL-FAA end_of_the_skype_highlighting (1-866-835-5322 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting   1-866-835-5322 end_of_the_skype_highlighting).

http://www.flightsgonebad.com/

Airline Pet Travel Rules

In the US, the Department of Transportation has some basic regulations when it comes to animal travel. Dogs and cats must be at least eight weeks old and must have been weaned for at least five days. If puppies or kittens less than 16 weeks of age are in transit more than 12 hours, food and water must be provided. Older animals must have food at least every 24 hours and water at least every 12 hours. Written instructions for food and water must accompany all animals shipped regardless of the scheduled time in transit. Dogs and cats can be brought to the airline for shipping no more than four hours before departure. This limit goes to six hours if shipping arrangements are made in advance. Airlines can't accept dogs and cats for shipment if the airline cannot prevent exposure of the animal to temperatures less than 45 degrees F (7.2 C) or more than 85 degrees F (29.5 C) for more than 45 minutes when the animal is transferred between the terminal and the plane, or for more than four hours when the animal is in a holding facility. These cold temperature limits (but not the high temperature ones) can be waived if if approved by a veterinarian.

Continental Airlines to re-evaluate its pet policy

On June 23, a pit bull escaped from its cargo crate and caused minor disruption on the runway before jumping into Flushing Bay and eluding New York and New Jersey Port Authority officials for 40 minutes before capture. 

As a result of this incident, Continental’s Pet Safe Program will be amended in several ways. They will no longer allow the following breeds in cargo after 6 months of age or 20 pounds :

Pit Bull Terriers
American Staffordshire Terriers
Presa Canario
Perro de Presa Canario
Dogo Argentino
Cane Corso
Fila Brasileiro
Tosa
Tosa Ken

Additionally, Continental will be comparing all paperwork associated with the animal (health certificate, titre test, rabies vaccination, etc.) to be sure that the breed reference is correct and consistent. 

This action is to assure the safety of the animals, passengers, and employees.
Owners of breeds that are considered dangerous need to be concerned about this policy change. Pet and passenger safety is of primary concern to the airlines. 

Obviously, many of these stronger breeds cannot be confined in a plastic cargo crate. Changes that will insure that events do not reoccur must happen in order for pet owners to be able to transport their pets safely.

Canadians Fight Over Allowing Pets On Airplanes

Dr. Thomas Kovesi, a pediatric respirologist at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario in Ottawa said today on Canadian TV "The airlines have to ask themselves which are more important: people or pets? And pets are important, but I think people are more important"

PetsVentura will keep covering this issue that can influence many pet owners.

CANADAIAN AIRLINES PET POLICIES

The control airline consumer complaint in Canada is taking into consideration declaring allergies a disability. This might oblige Canada airlines to stop allowing small pets to fly in the passenger cabin with their owners.


All Canadians airlines are required by federal regulation to allow service animals, such as guide dogs, to travel in passenger cabins, but this proposed policy might influence the service dogs as well.

Once again the travel animals by air can be forced  to be done by CARGO flight only!

TAM Airline transportation of animals

TAM      

1-888-235-9826
http://www.tamairlines.com

Tam Airline prohibit the transportation of animals in the cabin of our aircraft on domestic flights; however, a domestic animal (dog, cat, guide monkey) can be transported in a specially adapted compartment in aircraft.

Procedures : 

Make your reservation through our Call Center at least 24 hours before departure time; After confirming your flight through our Assistance Center, show up at the airport 2 hours before departure time; Animals considered wild or that exceed the stipulated weight limit should be shipped with the help of our Information Center (0800-562-211); The animal need not be sedated; The animal should be kept in a portable kennel. Such kennels are available in pet shops and animal-supply stores and should possess enough room so that your animal can turn all the way around in it. The container should be made of strong material, be smooth-sided, be leak proof.

VIAJANDO CON SU MASCOTA

Su mascota puede viajar en primera clase. Uno podría pensar que viajar en avión con su mascota es tan simple como llevar una valija más. Pero la realidad es que, durante los últimos años, viajar con una mascota se ha hecho más y más complejo debido a una serie de factores: los países exigen diferentes y crecientes requisitos sanitarios, algunos restringen el ingreso de ciertas razas y otros exigen períodos de cuarentena al ingresar. Por su lado, las aerolíneas han venido incrementando sus restricciones en cuanto a vedas por temperatura, tipo y tamaño de las cajas transportadoras y pesos máximos, tambien muchas companias tienen una nomina de razas peligrosas las cuales no transportan donde entran diferentes razas como por ej. Mastines, Dogos, Rottweiler, Pittbull terrier, y otras. Algunas companias las transportan solo hasta los 6 meses y luego exigen cajas especiales de madera para dichos traslados.

Así, para asegurarle un viaje cómodo a su mascota y sin contratiempos, hay que hacer con anterioridad todas las averiguaciones pertinentes. Acá van algunos consejos para que pueda darle a su mascota un viaje en primera clase:

KENNEL LABELING WHEN TRANSPORT BY AIR

Kennel Labeling

Federal regulations require that each kennel be properly labeled with the words "LIVE ANIMAL" on the top and at least 1 side of the kennel in 1" letters. Also, the kennel must have orientation labels on at least 2 sides.

Indicate the Top with arrows or "This End Up" markings on at least two sides.

Transport Your Pet on Commercial Flights

United Airlines

Accepts dogs, cats, and birds as checked or carry-on luggage.
Carry-on fee for domestic travel is $100 each way.
Checked-luggage fee for domestic travel is $100 each way for small-to-medium-sized kennels and $200 each way for medium-to-extra-large-sized kennels.
Fees vary by destination for international flights.
Call 1-800-UNITED-1 (1-800-864-8331) to make a reservation.

American Airlines

Only accepts cats and dogs as checked or carry-on luggage.
Limits carry-on pets to two in First Class and five in Coach.
Carry-on fee is $100 each way; reservation is required.
Carry-on kennels can be no larger than 23” long x 13” wide x 9” high.
Checked-luggage fee is $150 each way; you don’t need to make a reservation.
Checked pets can weigh no more than 100 pounds, including the kennel.
English-speaking callers can book a reservation at 1-800-433-7300.
Visit the reservations page for additional numbers.

Pets And Airlines Plane Tickets Prices

Each airline has its own fees for pet transportation. U.S. airlines that allow pets to travel in the pl­ane's cabin charge fees ranging from $69 to more than $175 for a one-way ticket on a domestic flight. The distance traveled doesn't matter -- the pet ticket price is the same for a trip between New York and California as it is to fly between two a­irports in the same state. There's one big catch -- the pet owner must fly with the pet.

While the range for pet ticket prices is fairly wide, most of the airlines charge between $100 and $150 for each flight. Part of the reason for this is that it's what the market will bear -- people determined to take their pets with them are willing to pay the price. But there may be other factors as well.

One factor might be that the relatively high price most airlines charge tends to limit the number of people who bring pets on board a flight. Most airlines place a strict limit on the number of pets that can travel in the plane's cabin. Several will only allow one or two animals per flight. A higher pet ticket price reduces the chance of multiple pet owners trying to book trips on the same flight

­One reason airlines might want to limit the presence of pets is to reduce the possibility of conflicts between customers. Even a well-behaved pet can cause problems on a flight. For instance, a­ customer with allergies may complain if someone with a pet sits near them. Airlines have to balance the needs of the pet owner with the needs of other customers.

Some airlines offer passengers the option to check their pet with the rest of their baggage. And yes, the cargo section of the plane is pressurized just like the cabin. But in order to follow federal guidelines, U.S. airlines won't transport animals under certain conditions. If the temperature of the cargo hold will fall too low (below 45 degrees Fahrenheit or 7.2 degrees Celsius, by federal law) or rise too high during the flight, airlines won't transport pets. Airlines will refuse to carry an animal if conditions put the pet's health at risk.

There's a much wider range of prices for cargo shipping than in-cabin travel. Prices for cargo pet tickets range from $100 to more than $1,000. Some airlines have a sliding scale of rates that are based either upon the weight of the animal or the size of the animal's crate or cage. Others have a flat rate that applies to animals of any size or weight. And some airlines won't transport animals in the cargo hold at all. If you plan on taking your pet on a trip, you should call ahead and compare prices among several airlines

Travel Kennels are subject to IATA standards

Travel Kennels are subject to IATA standards (airline regulators). Many other travel boxes are refused by the transport airline. It is wise to examine the travel boxes illustrated here and compare them to the kennel you may already have. 

If you are not sure, or need further help – please contact us. If you require us to acquire a suitable travel kennel on your behalf, please mention it in your email.

WHY YOUR PET MIGHT NOT ALLOWED INTO THE AIRPLANE

These are some of the reasons why your pet may not be allowed to fly:

1. Overly hot or cold conditions mean that the airline concerned will refuse to fly your pet until a more temperate climate ensues.
   
2. Heavy traffic conditions and During Christmas rushes traffic (December 7th to January 15^th).
   
3. Incomplete documentation to the importing countries' specifications. (Be prepared for extra costs in boarding and quarantining until these issues resolved).
   
4. The kennel must be up to IATA regulations ( the construction, and allowances for the pet's height and length within)

INTERLINE TRANSFER OF PETS (Multiple Airlines on One Itinerary)

When your pet travels as accompanied baggage, most airlines cannot transfer your pet from their own systems to a final destination served by another airline. Each airline must observe your pet at the time it accepts your pet for transport. On a trip connecting more than one airline, as a result, you may need to claim your pet at the connecting stop or stops where you change airlines and check in your pet with the agents at the new airline.

Be sure to plan sufficient time for this transfer.

A good rule of thumb is: if you booked your trip through separate airlines or through a travel agent, you will probable need to retrieve and re-check your pet when making connections. If you booked the entire trip though one airline, verify with them whether you will need to re-check your pet when transferring from one airline to another.

Nevertheless, when your pet travels in the cargo system, airlines can transfer your pet from one airline to another. Enough time for transfers between airlines will be necessary, so be sure to consult the airlines involved, since you will need to make advance arrangements with the connecting airline. The minimum transfer times will vary by airport and sometimes by airline.

ACCLIMATION CERTIFICATE

As we previously wrote on this blog many airlines require acclimation certificates for all cats and dogs. Federal regulations specify that dogs and cats must not be exposed to ambient temperatures that fall below 45 F for more than four consecutive hours while in animal holding areas of airport terminals. The regulations also limit exposure to temperatures lower than 45 F to 45 minutes while transferring the animal between the aircraft and the animal holding area.

It is a common problem by many veterinarians to agree to issue this form. They are often hesitant to sign them because they are considered by some to be a blank check for airlines that want to avoid liability.

To avoid potential legal liability, the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) Professional Liability Insurance Trust recommends veterinarians who sign acclimation certificates use the following wording:

“The animal(s) in this shipment appear healthy for transport but need(s) to be maintained at a range of ambient temperatures to which the animal(s) has/have been acclimated, as determined in consultation with the owner/authorized agent to be no lower than (W degrees) F for (s) minutes and no higher than (Y degrees) F (not to exceed 85 F) for no longer than (s) minutes.”

If you wish to purchase Acclimation Certificate for US$6.00 please contact contact us by phone: (54)11-4836-2290 or by email.

AMERICAN AIRLINES DROP FLIGHTS BETWEEN CHICAGO AND BUENOS AIRES

American Airlines said Tuesday that it will discontinue its Chicago-Buenos Aires service Sept. 3, 2008, , as part of a first round of flight schedule reductions in the wake of skyrocketing fuel costs.

Contact PETSVENTURA® to find out for alternative carrier to relocate your pet/s.

Phone 54 (11) 4836-2290 or by email .
http://www.petsventura.com/ and our blog http://petsventura.blogspot.com/