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Traveling With Your Pet
Tips from the United States Department of Agriculture The Animal Welfare Act (AWA) protects dogs, cats, and most other warm-blooded animals, transported in commerce. The US 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 well-being of animals in transit. Trip Preparation for Air Transportation Before flying with your animal, get your veterinarian to examine your pet to ensure it is healthy enough to make the trip. Airlines and State health officials require health certificates for animals transported by air. In most cases, a licensed veterinarian who examined the animal within 10 days of transport must issue health certificates. Ask your veterinarian for required vaccinations or treatments. Administer tranquilizers only if prescribed by your veterinarian, in the prescribed dosage. Trips Outside the Continental United States Hawaii, US territories, and some foreign governments have quarantine or health requirements for arriving pets. For information on Hawaii’s requirements contact your State Veterinarian’s office. For US territories and foreign countries, contact the appropriate embassy, governmental agency, or consulate at least 4 weeks in advance. Additional airline requirements exist for international flights. These rules may require additional ventilation, labeling, and a shipper’s certification. Contact your airline for information for their requirements. Bird Travel Abroad Bird owners who take their pets abroad are generally exempted from some of the USDA quarantine and foreign certification requirements for imported birds. This exception applies only to US origin birds and is permitted as long as the owner makes special arrangements in advance. If you wish to take your bird abroad, you must obtain all necessary documents from USDA and the Department of the Interior’s US Fish and Wildlife Service before departing the United States. Such preparations are especially critical for birds covered by the treaty known as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. You should get a health certificate endorsed by a USDA-APHIS veterinarian. US-origin birds may reenter the United States through any international airport that can be serviced by a USDA veterinary official. For more information on traveling abroad with your bird, contact: UDSA-APHIS Veterinary Services at 4700 River Road, Unit 39, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231. The telephone number is (301) 734-5097. Airline Procedures No airline will guarantee acceptance of an animal it has not seen. Considerations for acceptance of animals include the health and disposition of the animal, proper health certificates, and kennel markings and sizing. Airlines also require that wheels installed as part of a kennel be removed or rendered inoperable prior to transport. This action prevents kennel rolling, protecting both animals and people. Airlines have the final responsibility for determining the safety and compliance of the kennels they accept. Airlines usually transport animals in cargo compartments, and advise the crew that animals are onboard. Some allow pets in the cabin if the animals can fit under the seat. Carryon pets are not protected under the AWA. Certain animals are accepted as baggage at check-in locations, and others are accepted as cargo at the airlines’ cargo facilities. For the specific requirements, make advance arrangements with the airline. Finally, airlines are not required to carry live animals, and may refuse to carry an animal for any reason. Pet Travel Requirements Age – Dogs and cats must be at least 8 weeks old and must have been weaned before traveling by air. Kennels – must meet minimum standards for size, strength, sanitation, and ventilation. Size and Strength – Kennels must be enclosed and allow room for the animal to stand, sit, and lie in a natural position. They must be easy to open, strong enough to withstand the normal rigors of transportation, and free of objects that could injure the animal. Sanitation – Kennels must have a solid, leak-proof floor that is covered with litter or absorbent lining. Wire or other ventilated sub floors are generally allowed; pegboard flooring is prohibited. These requirements provide the maximum cleanliness for the animal in travel. For further information, call 1-800-545-USDA, visit our World Wide Web site at www.aphis.usda.gov/ac , or write to: Deputy Administrator USDA-APHIS-Animal Care 4700 River Road, Unit 84 Riverdale, MD 20737-1234 (301) 734-4981 Or e-mail at: ace@usda.gov to request: United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Miscellaneous Publication No. 1536. |