Thur. Thought: Pet Move Fundamentals

When travelling domestically, pet owners have many things to consider regarding the safe relocation of their pets.  For instance, owners of brachycephalic breeds such as English Bulldogs and Pugs, normally opt for transporting their smooshy-faced friends via a custom ground delivery.  Premier Pet Relocation has conducted multiple coast to coast ground deliveries for brachycephalic breeds and special-needs dogs (those requiring meds multiple times a day), so it is not unusual for certain pet families to retain this service.

However, assuming that the traveler owns a pet with no real health concerns, the vast majority of domestic pet relocation occurs by air.  Air travel ensures that a pet’s commute is as short as possible in addition to being the more cost-effective choice.  With proper planning, dogs flying domestically should always take a non-stop flight with no layovers, even if a short ground delivery is also required.  Connections are not terrible, but every additional point along the journey has additional tasks required by cargo personnel and additional wait time for crated pets.  Direct flights lower the potential for delay in a pet’s arrival.

Planning the Domestic Air Travel

To get started, pet owners are wise to gather information from United and Delta (the two primary providers of most domestic air travel) concerning flights, times and the cargo capacity of the specific plane involved.  Researching applicable hubs for each airline is important as it will determine the most available and direct flights for pet transportation.  Once basic research is complete, plans can be made with a major airline cargo company to begin the booking process.

Before booking a pet’s flight, make sure to select the appropriate crate.  Managers at airline cargo facilities reserve the right to deny any pet in transit due to an inappropriately small crate.  Crates that are too large will suffer additional fees associated with the added cubic volume of the container.  A pet owner that is unsure of whether or not a travel crate is sufficient is advised to call a pet relocation company for advice.  Tomorrow, for Friday’s Feature, we will review the steps involved in crate acclimation for the preparation of a pet’s departure.

Once the right crate has been selected, owners are advised to contact a domestic airline provider to book the flight.  Keep in mind that a pet’s booked flight will not guarantee that a pet will fly, as the plans are made over the phone sight unseen, and the cargo companies expect for pet owners to already understand the rules involved.  If veterinary paperwork, breed of dog, crate size, or any other aspect of the pet’s domestic relocation violate regulations then the pet will be denied.

As referenced above, veterinary care is also required prior to pet travel.  Some veterinary offices are well-versed in the documents necessary for relocation.  Others expect owners to understand what’s necessary for their pets to fly.  It is a good idea to call multiple veterinary offices in order to find a vet with the lowest price and the most experience with travel documentation.

International Pet Relocation

At Premier Pet Relocation, we take pride in our ability to facilitate the international relocation of personal pets.  With satisfied families in countries like Australia, Dubai and Singapore, PPR prefers to work with expatriates because we understand that they need the most assistance.  As our core competency, international relocation requires an understanding of both airline specific regulations and destination specific regulations.  Our network of IPATA agents and our relationship with staff at LAX and SFO makes it easier to be proficient with moving a pet overseas.

When checking for quotes, make sure to give us a call to explain your pet’s unique travel needs…

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