Traveling by Air With Your Pet
January 1999
Animal Care
Dogs, cats, and most other warmblooded animals transported by air are protected by
the Animal Welfare Act. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service (APHIS) enforces this law.
APHIS' shipping regulations help assure that animals are treated humanely by airlines as well
as animal dealers, exhibitors, and research laboratories.
Pet exhibitors, owners, and other shippers also
are affected by regulations established to protect
the well-being and safety of animals in transit.
Airline Procedures
Airlines transport animals in the cargo compartment of the plane, but some airlines
allow passengers to transport small animals in the cabin
as carryon luggage. The pet must be placed in a
kennel that is comfortable yet small enough to fit under
the passenger's seat. Carryon pets are not protected
by the Animal Welfare Act. For specific airline requirements, contact the airline.
APHIS Requirements
Age
Dogs and cats must be at least 8 weeks old and must have been weaned before traveling with
the airlines.
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, breathe,
and rest comfortably. They must be easy to open,
strong enough to withstand the stress of shipping, 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 subfloors are generally allowed; pegboard flooring is prohibited.
This provides the maximum cleanliness for the animal
in travel.
Ventilation
Kennels must be well ventilated
with openings that make up at least 14 percent of the
total wall space. At least one-third of the openings
must be located in the top half of the kennel. Kennels
also must have rims to prevent ventilation openings
from being blocked by other shipments. These rimsusually placed on the sides of the
kennelmust provide at least three-quarters of an inch clearance.
Grips and Markings
Kennels must have grips
or handles for lifting to prevent cargo workers
form being bitten. Kennels also must be labeled
"live animals" or "wild animals" on the top and one
side with directional arrows indicating position of
the kennel. Lettering must be at least 1 inch high.
Animals Per Kennel
Each species must have
its own kennel with the exception of compatible
personal pets of similar size. Maximum numbers include
2 puppies or kittens less than 6 months old and 20 pounds each, 15 guinea pigs or rabbits, and
50 hamsters.
Feeding and Watering
Instructions for feeding, watering, and administering medication to 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 animals that are diverted from their
scheduled destination. The shipper is required to document
that the animal was given food and water within 4 hours of transport, and the certification
must include the time and date of feeding.
Food and water dishes must be securely attached and be accessible without opening
the kennel. Food and water must be provided to
puppies and kittens every 12 hours if they are less
than 16 weeks old. Mature animals must be fed
every 24 hours and given water every 12 hours.
Health Certification
Airlines and State health officials generally require health certificates for all animals
transported by air. Health certificates must be issued by
a licensed veterinarian who examined the animal
within 10 days of transport. Dealers, exhibitors, and
others regulated under the Animal Welfare Act must
provide a health certificate for each dog, cat, or
nonhuman primate shipped.
Trips Outside the Continental United States
Foreign countries and Hawaii have quarantine
or health requirements for arriving pets. For
information about Hawaii's requirements, write to:
Division of Animal Industry
Animal Quarantine Branch
99-951 Halawa Valley Street
Aiea, HI 96701-3294
(808) 483-7151 or (808) 483-7100
For information about international
requirements, contact the appropriate embassy or consulate
at least 4 weeks before the trip.
Airlines or a full-service travel agency can provide additional information about animal
care requirements for international flights.
For more information about the Animal Welfare Act, write to:
Animal Care
APHIS, USDA
4700 River Road, Unit 84
Riverdale, MD 20737
Telephone: (301) 734-7833
E-mail: ace@usda.gov
Web page: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ac
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
USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).
To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director,
Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and
Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or
call (202)720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal
opportunity provider and employer.
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