Metropolitan Airport NewsMetropolitan Airport News

    Subscribe for Updates

    Get the latest local airport and aviation news delivered right into your inbox each week!

    News Updates

    The First American Woman in Space: Unveiling of Sculpture Honors Dr. Sally Ride

    June 18, 2022

    Our Lady of the Skies 2022 Annual Luncheon

    June 17, 2022

    Life-sized Lego Commercial Pilot Unveiled at JFK Terminal 4 Lego Store

    June 16, 2022
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Metropolitan Airport NewsMetropolitan Airport News
    • Latest News
      • Publisher’s Message
      • On Duty
      • Fast Five
      • Airport News
      • Air Cargo
      • Airline News
      • Aviation News
      • Airport Safety & Security
      • Airport Community
      • Airport Employment News
      • Airport Company Spotlight
      • Ground Services
      • Intermodal
      • New York Aviation History
      • Non-Rev Traveler
    • Airport & Aviation Events
    • Airport Employment
    • Latest Issue
    • Contact Us
    Metropolitan Airport NewsMetropolitan Airport News
    Home»Airport News»The Expert’s Guide to Flying With Your Pets
    Airport News

    The Expert’s Guide to Flying With Your Pets

    Dr. Stephanie AustinBy Dr. Stephanie AustinOctober 2, 2017No Comments8 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email
    The Expert’s Guide to Flying With Your Pets

    The Expert’s Guide to Flying With Your PetsNow more than ever before, our pets are a huge part of our families. Because of this love affair with our ‘fur babies’, fewer people want to leave their babies behind when they travel. As a result, we are seeing a large number of people bringing their pets along during domestic and international trips, whether it be for vacation or relocation.

    As accredited (officially recognized/authorized) veterinarians with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), we are trained in writing domestic and international health certificates and are well versed in the individual country and state requirements for pet travel/importation. Below is a summary of important points to keep in mind when flying with your furry co-pilot.

    1. Start Planning Early

    If you have decided to take your pet with you on your next vacation, or if you are relocating to a new state or country, the first and best piece of advice we can give you is to start planning EARLY. Begin by contacting your family veterinarian and your selected airline to determine exactly what it is you need to do for your pet to fly with you. Never leave anything until the last minute or you may end up having to temporarily leave your furry friend behind.

    2. Do your research

    We recommend that all pet owners who are traveling with their animals do their research. Different countries have varying rules and regulations in regards to the importation/travel of pets through their borders – from specific vaccinations and worming treatments to import certificates. The UDSA has an easy-to-use pet travel website with all the information in regards to specific countries, states and animals.

    The veterinarians at AirHeart Pet Hospital always refer to this site for up-to-date information. Got questions? We prepare pets to travel all over the world every day and are happy to help you with any questions or concerns you may have.

    3. Make an Appointment

    Anytime you are traveling with a pet on an airplane, whether it is international or domestic travel, you will be required to produce a health certificate that is issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian. Not every veterinarian is accredited. Becoming a USDA-accredited veterinarian requires specific training so be sure to ask your veterinarian if he or she is able to issue a health certificate for your pet.

    Make an appointment as soon as possible with your accredited veterinarian and with the USDA. Most international destinations require that the USDA APHIS Veterinary Services office endorse the veterinary health certificate issued by your veterinarian. However, they have strict guidelines as to when you can book appointments for endorsements and you may be turned away without a scheduled appointment.

    4. Ensure you have the right crate

    There are strict regulations on the types of carriers that are allowed for pet travel. This includes the material they are constructed from, the size, weight, and even how much ventilation it has. Make sure your crate meets the standard with your airline’s rules and regulations. If you book your pet’s travel through a pet travel company, they may supply the appropriate crate for you.

    5. Make sure Fido fits

    It’s important to measure your pet and make sure Fido or Fluffy can fit comfortably in their crates. A crate that is too big may result in your pet being tossed around during any turbulence, and a crate that is too small can leave your pet feeling cramped and uncomfortable, especially on a long journey. Crates that are too small may also hinder your pet’s ability to reach the water bottle and pets may get scratches or scrapes from constantly being in contact with the edges of the crate.

    Most airlines provide information online with the size of crate recommended for your pet based on measurements (including height, weight and width) and suggestions on how to accurately measure your pet. You may be denied onto your flight (or your pet will be) if their crate size is inappropriate.

    6. Don’t overpack Fido’s suitcase

    Check with your airline about what is and isn’t allowed inside the crate, particularly if your pet is not flying with you in the cabin. As pet owners, we often like to place our pet’s favorite blanket or toy inside the crate as a comfort. However, as much as this makes us feel better about being separated from our furry friends, these items can pose a risk during transit. Pets may choke, become tangled in, or accidentally ingest these ‘foreign’ objects, resulting in injuries or even fatalities. Ideally, the fewer number of items in the crate the better. However, you may wish to pack your pets a separate bag if they are flying in the cabin with you to ensure you have everything needed during the flight.

    For pets not traveling in the cabin with you, we recommend taping an extra water bottle to the crate, as well as additional kibble in a zip lock storage bag. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that your pets will be fed in transit if they are traveling in the cargo hold. We will discuss this in a future article on Traveling Pets as Cargo vs. Excess Baggage in the coming months.

    Following the above guidelines will help your pet to feel more at ease during travel, which can be a stressful time for everyone involved.

    7. Pheromones

    If you feel that your pet needs a ‘calming’ influence while traveling, you may want to consider pheromones. These are chemical substances produced and released into the environment by an animal when they feel safe and secure. Pheromone products mimic these substances with the idea that they will help a pet feel comfortable in stressful situations, such as traveling. Pheromones come in all different formulations and you may wish to spray or wipe down your pet’s carrier prior to travel to help them feel more relaxed.

    8. Prepare your pet for the journey

    If your pet will be flying in cargo rather than onboard with you, be sure to get your pet acclimated and comfortable in his or her crate beforehand. For pets that are already crate trained, this will be easy. For pets that are not, a crate needs to be seen as a safe space to go and relax. We recommend starting this process as soon as possible and for as long as possible prior to travel. Here are some basic guidelines to help with the gradual introduction of the crate:

    • Introduce your pet to the idea of the crate slowly. Place the crate in a central area in your house where your pet is able to see, approach, and smell the crate at a leisurely pace and without force. Get your pet used to the crate as if it was a new piece of furniture. Don’t make a fuss over it or force your pet into it straight away; this will cause your pet to develop a fear of the crate and create many problems in the future.
    • Feed your pet near the crate and slowly move the food bowl until it is at the entrance of the crate. The goal is to eventually move the food dish inside the crate. This will develop positive reinforcement and teach your pet that the crate is not a bad thing.
    • Place one of your pets’ favorite blankets/beds within the crate and leave the door open. When your pet is ready, he can choose to enter the crate and curl up for a nap. By doing so you are helping to associate the crate with a positive, safe environment.

    9. Does Fido need his daily meds?

    If your pet takes prescription medications, make sure you have arranged in advance to have enough medication for your journey prior to takeoff. Many veterinarians who are not familiar with your pet will not simply refill a prescription from another veterinarian for state and federal reasons; and the veterinarian at the other end of your trip may require a complete exam and further diagnostics before doing so. Therefore, call your pet’s primary veterinarian well in advance of your travel (not 24 hours before) for medications, especially if blood tests to monitor medication levels are required prior to being given additional refills.

    10. Give yourself plenty of time

    We cannot stress enough the importance of extra time when traveling. Be sure to get to the scheduled drop off point for your pet several hours in advance. Many airlines require that pets be checked in up to 4 hours prior to their flights. Be sure to ask your individual airline for specific timing requirements.

    Being early is not a waste of time. You never know when an unforeseen issue may crop up that needs to be resolved at the last minute. The gift of extra time may mean the difference between you and your pet making or missing your flight.

    Share. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email
    Dr. Stephanie Austin
    • Website
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    Dr. Stephanie Austin received her Bachelor of Applied Science, majoring in Veterinary Technology from the University of Queensland, Australia, and then attended Murdoch University where she received her Bachelors of Veterinary Biology and Masters of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery. Following an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at the Veterinary Emergency and Referral Group, she now works at AirHeart Pet Hospital, a general and urgent care veterinary hospital located inside The ARK at JFK. Dr. Austin’s special interests include emergency and critical care, anesthesiology and neurology as well as equine medicine.

    RELATED NEWS & UPDATES

    Life-sized Lego Commercial Pilot Unveiled at JFK Terminal 4 Lego Store

    June 16, 2022

    Gov. Hochul Announces Construction of a New Terminal One at JFK Airport

    June 10, 2022

    Gov. Hochul, PANYNJ, and Delta Air Lines Announce Opening of New Terminal C at LaGuardia Airport

    June 2, 2022

    Whitestone Capital Opens Hampton Inn Newark Airport

    May 25, 2022

    JFKIAT Awards ESP Support Services Contract

    May 20, 2022

    Hawaiian Airlines Moving to Terminal 4 at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport

    May 9, 2022
    Add A Comment

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    UPCOMING AIRPORT EVENTS
    JFK Chamber of Commerce Luncheon
    June 28, 2022
    11:30 AM
    • Russo’s On the Bay
    Howard Beach, New York
    JFK Air Cargo Association Monthly Meeting
    June 30, 2022
    11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
    Bayhouse Breezy Point
    Breezy Point, New York
    2022 Aviation Job Fair
    June 30, 2022
    10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
    Helen M. Marshall Cultural Center
    Kew Gardens, New York
    • >> More Airport & Aviation Industry Events
    RELATED NEWS

    The First American Woman in Space: Unveiling of Sculpture Honors Dr. Sally Ride

    By Julia Lauria-BlumJune 18, 2022

    Today a monumental sculpture was publicly unveiled and dedicated to the late astronaut Dr. Sally…

    Life-sized Lego Commercial Pilot Unveiled at JFK Terminal 4 Lego Store

    June 16, 2022

    SAF Has Been Delivered to New York Using Existing Petroleum Pipelines

    June 15, 2022

    PLAY Reintroducing International Flights at New York Stewart International Airport

    June 10, 2022

    Subscribe for Updates

    Get the latest local airport and aviation news delivered right into your inbox each week!

    Metropolitan Airport News provides timely news, information and updates for both Port Authority of New York & New Jersey (PANYNJ) employees and businesses that provide services at, and around the major New York airports (JFK, LGA, EWR).

    John F. Kennedy International Airport
    PO Box 300877
    Jamaica, NY 11430 USA
    Phone: (347) 396-0904
    Email Us

    Facebook Twitter YouTube LinkedIn Flickr
    JUNE 2022 ISSUE
    Metropolitan Airport News - June-2022
    LATEST COMMENTS
    • Dayna Harap  - Fast Five on The JFK Air Cargo Association Names New President
    • Ryan on Cockpit Jumpseating: The Best Seat in the House
    • Roberta Bassin on Finding Charlie
    • About Us
    • Advertising
    • Charitable Giving Program
    • Back Issue Archive
    • Contact Us
    © 2022 Airport Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.