Airline TravelAn increasing number of dogs travel on internal and international flights today. Dogs, cats, and most other warm-blooded animals transported in commerce are protected by the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) enforces this law. APHIS' shipping regulations help ensure that people who transport and handle animals covered under the AWA treat them humanely. Airlines and other shippers are affected by regulations established to protect the wellbeing of animals in transit. Remember with air travel the container will be your pet's home for the length of the flight and also for an appreciable time prior to and after the flight after you have checked in and until he is collected after the flight.Carrier or Kennel
1. The carrier or kennel should be large enough for your dog to stand up and turn around freely. Most airline recommendations are that the height should be the height of the dog to the top of the head in a normal standing position. The length should be the length of the dog from the nose to the root of the tail plus half the length measured from the floor to the elbow. This is in order to ensure that he can lie down with his nose resting on his forelegs and his front feet protruding beyond the tip of his nose. The width of the container should be twice the width of the dog measured at the shoulders.2. The carrier can be constructed of fiberglass, rigid plastic, or heavy wickerwork.3. Ventilation must be adequate and usually involves a wire mesh front on one side or end of the container with ventilation holes over the whole of the opposite side and the upper third of the other two sides. Projecting handles which also act as spacers must be provided. These are essential for transportation of the crate and also ensure that air flow is maintained when the container is loaded into the aircraft which may have a fairly full hold.4. Containers must be nose and paw proof, i.e. the ventilation apertures must be of such a size that it is impossible for the animal to protrude nose or paws outside the container. Fixed food and water containers must be provided and these must be accessible from the outside.
On many internal flights (and some international ones) small dogs may be carried in the passenger cabin in underseat containers. If allowed, the total weight of the dog plus the container must not exceed 9 pounds (4 k).BeddingIt is useful to use several thicknesses of newspaper plus an acrylic dog bed. A familiar article in the container helps to calm the animal.Suitable carriers can be obtained from pet stores, breeders, kennels and often the airlines themselves. It is always worthwhile checking with the airline regarding their particular requirements.Other Useful TipsTranquilization of the dog before loading in the carrier is not recommended. Tranquilizers sometimes wear off in flight when it is impossible to either comfort the dog or to give any further medication. It is a good idea to try to familiarize your dog with the travel container before the trip is undertaken. Feeding him in the container, first with the door closed and then open helps to eliminate some of the apprehension that may be felt during the actual trip.Car TravelAnimals should be under control in vehicles and unable to distract you while you are driving. If you want your dog to be loose in the car he should be separated from you, and thus a sports vehicle or hatchback with a strong dog guard is ideal. Alternatively, a crate or cage can be used, the dimensions of which should be comfortable for the animal. If the dog is not so separated from you he should be tethered so that he cannot act as a distraction. The easiest way of doing this is place him in the back of the car, shutting the lead, attached to a properly adjusted collar, in the car door.Travel, or more correctly motion sickness, is a condition which affects many dogs. It is due to the effect of the motion on the organs of balance located in the inner ear. Signs are usually excessive salivation, restlessness or excitement. Many of the human travel sickness remedies available from convenience stores, pharmacists and supermarkets are effective. Check with your vet to make sure that an adult rather than a children's dose will be necessary for the dog. If one particular brand does not work, try another since they all contain different combinations of drugs. Give the tablets at least half an hour before traveling is due. If the over-the-counter remedies are ineffective, consult your vet since there are several prescription only medicines that are extremely effective for this condition. Excitable dogs can be tranquilized but make sure you experiment beforehand so you do not give too much and have the animal off his legs for a while since the dose depends largely on the temperament and amount of excitement.Sea TravelMany ships and ferries today have permanent kennels into which your dog must be placed for the duration of the trip. The provision of a familiar blanket or toy helps to ease the tension. Mild tranquilization is possible since you can visit the dog during the trip and ascertain its effect.Travel Hints
1. If you are going to stay in an hotel, ascertain beforehand that the hotel allows pets. There are web sites available that list such hotels and boarding houses, e.g. Pets Welcome.2. Make sure the dog wears a correctly adjusted collar and not a check chain. The collar should bear an identification tag with your name, address and telephone number. If the dog has been microchipped, detail this with the accompanying information.3. If he is traveling unaccompanied, check that his name appears on the container together with your name, address, telephone number and any other relevant details, e.g. where you are collecting him from and whether you wish to be telephoned first, etc.4. Remember that most hotels and boarding houses will not allow dogs in the public rooms. If you leave him unattended in your room make sure there is no opportunity for escape and realize that you will be responsible for any damage caused. Again if practicable, i.e. size, a traveling cage or container is ideal. Even if the dog is extremely well behaved make sure that you place Do Not Disturb notices on the door if the dog is left unattended. In this way the possibility of confrontation with staff and escape is minimized.5. Should your pet get lost, contact the local police, SPCA, animal control, humane societies and veterinarians.. 6. Remember that advance planning is vital to make the trip an enjoyable experience for both you and your dog.
