United
States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service |
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Dogs, cats, and most other warm-blooded animals transported in commerce are protected by the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). The U.S. Department of Agriculture¹s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) enforces this law. APHIS¹ 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. Trip Preparation for Air Transportation Before taking a flight with your animal, have your veterinarian examine your pet to ensure that it is healthy enough to make the trip. Airlines and State health officials generally require health certificates for all animals transported by air. In most cases, health certificates must be issued by a licensed veterinarian who examined the animal within 10 days of transport. Ask your veterinarian to provide any required vaccinations or treatments. Administer tranquilizers only if specifically prescribed by your veterinarian and only in the prescribed dosage. Trips Outside the Continental United States Hawaii, U.S. territories, and certain foreign governments have quarantine or health requirements for arriving pets. For information on Hawaii¹s requirements, contact your State Veterinarian¹s office. For U.S. territories and foreign countries, contact the appropriate embassy, governmental agency, or consulate at least 4 weeks in advance. You may also contact a full-service travel agency for assistance. Additional airline requirements also exist for inter-national flights. These rules may require additional ventilation, labeling, and a shipper¹s certification. Contact your airline for information about these requirements. Bird Travel Abroad Bird owners who take their pets with them while traveling abroad are generally exempted from some of the USDA quarantine and foreign certification requirements for imported birds. This exception applies only to U.S.-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 Interior¹s U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service before departing the United States. Such preparation is 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 USDAAPHIS veterinarian. This endorsement is subject to a user fee. U.S.-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 USDAAPHIS Veterinary Services at 4700 River Road, Unit 39, Riverdale, MD 207371231. The telephone number is (301) 7345097. Airline Procedures No airline will guarantee acceptance of an animal it has not seen. Important 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, if wheels are installed as part of a kennel, they be removed or rendered inoperable prior to transport. This action prevents kennels from rolling, protecting both the animals and airline employees. USDA assigns airlines the final responsibility for determining the safety and compliance of the kennels they accept. Airlines generally transport animals in the cargo compartment of a plane. In doing so, the airlines advise the flight crew that animals are onboard the aircraft. Some airlines allow passengers to carry their pets in the cabin of a plane if the animals are capable of fitting under the passengers¹ seat. Carryon pets are not protected under the AWA. Certain animals are accepted as baggage at passenger check-in locations, and others are accepted as cargo at the airlines¹ cargo facilities. For the specific requirements pertaining to your animal, make advance arrangements with the airline you are using. Airlines must ensure that they have facilities to handle animals at the airports of transfer and final destination. Airlines must comply with USDAAPHIS guidelines on allowable temperature limits for animal-holding areas. Finally, airlines are not required to carry live animals, and they reserve the right to 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. 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. Feeding and Watering While Traveling Instructions for feeding and watering the animal over a 24-hour period must be attached to the kennel. The 24-hour schedule will assist the airline in providing care for your animal in case it is diverted from its original destination. You as a pet owner or shipper are required to document that the animal was offered food and water within 4 hours of transport, and the documentation must include the time and date of feeding. Food and water dishes must be securely attached and be accessible to caretakers without opening the kennel. Food and water must be provided to puppies and kittens every 12 hours if they are 8 to 16 weeks old. Mature animals must be fed every 24 hours and given water every 12 hours. Other Helpful Hints As far in advance of the trip as possible, let your pet get to
know the flight kennel. Veterinarians recommend leaving it open in the
house with an old sock or other familiar object in it. If Your Pet Gets Lost... If your pet should turn up missing during transport, immediately speak
to airline personnel. Many airlines have computer tracking systems that
can trace a pet transferred to an incorrect flight. Should there be no
report of your animal, proceed with the following steps: Contact animal control agencies and humane societies in the local
and surrounding areas. Check with them daily. APHIS Contacts For further information, call 1800545USDA, visit our World Wide Web site at www.aphis.usda.gov/ac, or write to: Deputy Administrator or local regional offices at: Eastern Region Central Region Western Region You may send us e-mail at: ace@usda.gov The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA¹s TARGET Center at (202) 7202600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 202509410 or call (202) 7205964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal employment opportunity provider and employer. Issued August 1997 Slightly revised October 1998 United States Department of Agriculture PDF version |