I have to preface this by saying that I've never shipped an animal by air, and unless it was small enough to ride in the cabin with me I wouldn't do so unless there was no other option - I would be WAY too worried! I can't even stand to have my dogs taken out of my sight during a vet visit.

But I can't help but notice that the stats presented aren't really significant unless we know how many pets were shipped during that time period. The percentage is what's important. Of course, 215 dead, 81 injured and 41 lost is 337 too many... but if they represent (for example) only 1% of all the animals shipped during that time period, then it may be that- just like for people - flying maybe is really the safest way to travel. I'll bet that a LOT more than 336 animals were killed, injured or lost during trips with their owners in a car in that time period.

There is risk in everything we do... the only way to make an informed decision is to know the true risk.

I have shipped cats by air a few times without problems, although it made me nervous. Once I drove from south Florida to Idaho with two cats, doing a move. Each cat had a harness and leash and they were boxed while in the car. I stopped several times a day at rest areas to take them out and give them water and let them do whatever. I also took some time to play with them. At night I snuck them into a motel room, fed them, had a catbox. I always took rooms that were on the ground floor and away from the office, checked in late and left early. It was not summer. They tolerated the trip well and there were no accidents. The most amusing part was watching a Florida cat encounter snow for the first time. I would say this can easily be done if one exercises care and takes a little time.

I've known a few folks who have included multiple critters when they moved. It took a great deal of planning and care.

When it's been unavoidable to be away overnight, I've had a trusted friend come to the house twice a day. There have been unpleasant experiences with sitters (pay them for two visits and they don't show up at all!), so I'd be hard-pressed to use a sitter.

But I just prefer to stay home. That way I'm sure the critters have everything they need.

There was a great story a couple of days ago about a baggage handler that refused to put a dog in cargo that was obviously injured and malnurished. She was sure the dog wouldn't survive the trip, but her supervisor insisted she load him anyway. She called animal authorities who took the dog and brought him back to health. Unfortunately, the dog was returned to the owner and the baggage handler lost her job.

Just goes to show that some airlines don't care if the critter survives the trip.

Thank you so much for posting this information, I've never traveled with my dogs but next year we plan on moving to the west coast and I would get anxiety just thinking about putting them on a plane for when we would come home to visit and now I know all that anxiety is justified. We will definitely be traveling by car when take them with us on trips.

Thank You

I've helped transport two cats when my sister moved across country. It is not cheap to fly an animal in the cabin with you - I believe it was upwards of $100 two years ago and I'm sure that has increased. But that was the best way to transport a very small, very nervous younger cat that would have wailed for the entire car trip. So he flew back with me. At least two years ago you got priority boarding - and even if that's not automatic I would imagine a nice gate agent would still let you board with families.

One thing I ran into is that the ticket agent was worried about the carrier. I knew it would fit but he wanted me to buy their approved version. I skipped this but only because I fly for work a lot and was secure that it would fit the planes I would be on. If you aren't then it might be worth buying their approved version so you have some leverage if it doesn't fit perfectly. Other than little puddle jumpers, the only planes I would worry about are the very small regional jets with just two rows of seats (1, aisle, 1) - I was fine in the more standard (1, aisle, 2) version for the final leg.

You do have to take the cat out for security and if your airport has only the new-style scanners you may have to allow for special screening. I was able to carry him through the older style detectors that allowed for wiggling. I have seen a guide dog getting patted down. The empty carrier has to go through as luggage.

Biggest tip is to be aware of companion bathrooms for those with special needs and/or private nursing rooms - should be available in almost all airports somewhere. These have a door that can be closed and locked. So if you do need to take a freaked out cat out to clean him up, this is the best place to do it (bring sanitizing wipes for the surfaces so the next person isn't stuck with a gross bathroom). Otherwise we made a triped-up fleece cover for the carrier (middle of winter) and he just wallowed/slept through the ordeal.

She and her other cat, a very mellow tom, took a road trip and had a blast. It did take a little pre-planning but it was great fun. He loved looking out the window.

(Sorry for the novel, I just couldn't find a lot of info when I wanted to do this so I'm inclined to share)

Main thng to keep in mind when shipping pets in cargo..area is not heated or air-conditioned.Depending on the time of year or country destination, your pet may be subjected to extreme cold or heat. Are you willing to take that chance, maybe only in a dire emergency would I fly my pet in cargo. It`s past time that airlines get with the program and come to realize that many people consider pets as part of the family and provide better care and accomadations for the critters we love. This is also the case where animal welfare organizations should step up to the plate and demand better care from all airlines transporting not only pets but any animal.This is modern America not some undeveloped foreign country with no humane standards.

Quite simply, pets are family members and not suddenly converted into baggage at the airport. I worked for a commercial airline for over 30 years and would not check my dog in baggage for any amount of money. If our dog has to travel, we drive. I now am a private flight attendant and have built my clientele around those who travel with their pets. More and more folks are choosing to fly on private jets to travel with their pets in the cabin. I travel with pet oxygen masks, seat restraints and flotation devices. The cost can be prohibitive, but there are even share programs now with some charter companies where a few pet parents going the same way can share the cost of a flight and get it pretty close to full fare first class. Whatever your solution, please consider your pet family member's mental and physical stress when flying in cargo and the commitment you made when you took that creature into your home.

Having moved across the Pacific Ocean with my dog in the cargo hold (which was, we were assured, temperature and climate controlled), I would say that 1) I am sure this was the right choice, rather than leaving my dog behind, 2) it was easier than I expected, 3) not every airline or airport staff was equally organized or prepared to deal with transporting pets. The last is why I would only do this again if there was no other choice, and why I think it pays to continue bringing attention to how there remains MUCH room for improvement when it comes to traveling with pets.

A lot of internal info seems shielded from the public in the name of maintaining airport security. This is one process that could be more transparent.

Now, this part of your article was especially chilling to me: "Airlines only have to report the death, injury or loss of an animal who 'at the time of transportation, is being kept as a pet in a family household in the United States.' This means that animals shipped by breeders, research facilities, and people who live outside of the United States (this would have included Owen when I was in college) are not included in the tally." Horrifying! I wonder how many already-sick puppies being shipped by internet breeders never made it to their final destination!

Times like this, I wish the Amtrak system was pet-friendly. Well, if we HAD a viable passenger train network to begin with...

I tried to respond to your comment but it wouldn't let me submit..

My family and I are relocating to Hawaii in the next year and have to move our dog family (10 of them!). They are our babies and cannot leave them behind..

You mentioned charter companies that work with pet clients. Can you suggest some, as we have tried on line to contact a few and have gotten no responses! I am not sure it will be an option due to the cost, but I have to exhaust all my resources before giving in to flying them cargo..

I would appreciate any help you can give me!!

Great idea to consider leaving a pet at home versus bringing them along for travel. There are so many stressors our pets are exposed to during travel that they are often safer in the confines of their own home or a familiar space.
Dr PM
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