COST  OF  SHIPPING  PETS

Probably the most often asked question is: How much does it cost to ship my dog or cat?

The second most asked question is: How safe is air travel?

First things first:  The least expensive way would normally be by 'carry on'  That is, a

small pet in the cabin.  This information is best gotten from the passenger-reservation

people of the airline you travel on.  The next least expensive would be: excess baggage

This is the same as checked baggage, at the ticket counter, and also would be addressed by the passenger-reservation people.

We pet shippers most often deal with pets as cargo, or unacompanied baggage.

Though these pets travel in the very same cargo compartment as those traveling as

excess baggage, the charges are dealt with differently.

Most airlines arrive at their cargo charges, using the volume or dimensional weight

system.  The maximum outside 3 dimensions are utilized.  Usually as inches, the cubic

measurements are taken.  Once cubic inches arrived at: divide by 194 to reach

domestic weight; and divide by 166 to arrive at international weight.

International volume or dim weight is usually further calculated to the metric system and

shown as kgs.  It is essential that these measurements are very carefully taken as one

inch can make the difference in many dollars.

If you will visit: Wikipedia - Dimensional Weight; and/or: Volume, much of this will be

better explained.  We might say here that: Continental airlines base their charges on

Actual weight of each pet and kennel; as opposed to vol or dim weight.

Please, at ALL times:  Make sure that the pet shipper of your choice itemizes ALL charges very carefully for you.  On top of the above methods of arriving at pet shipping

charges, one must also specifically ask about: fuel and security charges, taxes, etc

VERY  IMPORTANT

ALL  shipping arrangements and getting ALL Shipping charges  MUST  be done in the

country of origin of the prospective shipment.   In otherwords,  NO ONE  in USA, for

example, can tell you what it will cost to ship a pet from Germany to the USA, or to

another country.  This info MUST be aquired in Germany ONLY   Many people make the

VERY serious mistake to retain the services of an agent, 3rd party shipper, to handle

a shipment from some country, other than their own, to another country, other than

their own.   Your total cost will skyrocket........

For your own protection, ONLY deal with someone who will have direct hands on your

shipment. 

 

SAFETY  OF  PET  SHIPPING

Probably the most feared question is: How safe is it to ship my pet?  I have heard so

many stories of hundreds of pets dying and being injured!  Well, this is what it is:

STORIES....  I have never had someone be able to document these stories......

The pets ALL fly in a special compartment in the cargo section, designed for Live Animals

It is fully pressurized and same temperature as the passenger cabin.  This area is VERY

carefully monitered by the Captain and staff.  Yes, it does have some noise.....

With nearly 15,000 pets flying monthly on the domestic carriers, there is bound to be

some risk.  Pet owners can minimize these risks.  Major problems resulting in death or

serious health issues result from: brachycephalic breeds of cats and dogs; and having

the brachycephalic respiratory syndrome.  Also, elderly pets.  And, those having

congenital or pre-existing health issues.  These pets often have pre-existing heart

disease resulting in pulmonary congestion and edema.  Then, if a death occurs, one is often

inclined to blame the airline.  The airline absolutely has NOTHING to do with these deaths.

Kennel construction is most often the problem with escapes, etc.  Many kennels have

very poor connection devices.  Nuts and bolts are the best.  We ALWAYS reinforce all

kennels with removable zip ties.  Also, we reinforce the doors with ties.

Kennels with ONLY solid tops.  NO doors and other openings on top of kennel.

Many pet injuries occur when some pets scratch and try to escape.  Pet shippers and

airlines can NOT be help responsible for highly agitated pets.  If you have a pet that

meets any of the above criteria as being a risk factor, just do NOT ship these pets.

Sorry.  And, NO sedation.  The above brachycephalic pets are the most likely candidates

for heat stroke.  Many airlines wisely refuse these type pets.

Please refer to: Air Travel Consumer Reports; and Airline Animal Incident Reports for

actual facts and figures regarding pet travel safety.  Do NOT listen to war stories with

no value. 

We find that all airlines that carry pets are equally 'pet friendly'  Unfortunately, not all

personnel at all airlines are equally pet friendly.

Did you know that not all direct flights are non-stop?  It is often better to have

connecting flights, than a long non-stop !!  We do NOT receive a kick-back from any

airline..... Some pet shippers do !

We really work with you to make the best travel plans for your family pets.....

Much confusion arrises regarding hot and cold temperature embargos.

The temperature restrictions refer to  OUTSIDE  temps  ONLY.  Has nothing to do with

inside temps of the plane.  We can always depend upon Continental.  If any other

carrier takes the pet, you can be assured the pet will be well cared for at ALL times.

FEEDING  PRIOR  TO  TRAVEL

For MOST breeds of dogs and cats, do NOT feed ANYTHING for at least 8 hours before
any kind of travel.  For  BRACHYCEPHALIC  dogs and cats, do  NOt  feed for at least 12 to
15 hours before travel,  AND, NOTHING during travel.  Water of course is always necessary.
You do NOT want to do anything that can contribute to vomitting or any other digestive
problem!!  Some airlines will tell you that you  must feed within 4 hrs of travel.  Do NOT
listen...... Just respond that you did comply with their feeding requests.  In deed, your
pet will thankyou later.  Always consider providing bottled water only during pet travel.
Especially at the end of the journey, especially if in foreign lands, do NOT provide tap
water.  Use bottled water....

SOME VERY WORTHWHILE WEBSITES TO VISIT:

www.petflight.com   www.pettravel.com   www.petfriendlytravel.com 

       google for: Air Travel Consumer Reports; and, Airline Animal Incident
                                           Reports