Things You'll Need:
- Confirmed Travel Date
- Confirmed Airline Reservation for Pet
- Health Certificate
- Microchip
- Pet Carrier
- Food with Feeding Bowl
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Step 1
Confirm a travel date at least a month in advance. You need to make sure you have enough time to prepare your pet's travel arrangements. Call the airline and make sure you receive a confirmation on your pet's travel reservation. You will need an airline approved carrier.
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Step 2
You can purchase these at a local pet store like PetSmart or Petco.Shop of an airline approved carrier. Small cats and dogs about 15 lbs or less usually fit in a SHERPA bag. These are approved carriers that are allowed in the cabin with you as carry-on baggage. Larger pets must travel in an approved kennel where they fit comfortably. Most airlines require the pet to be able to turn around, lay down, and have about 2-3 inches head clearance from the ceiling; basically you don't want your pet cramped.
Suggestion: I suggest you place your pet's favorite toy or a piece of your clothing in the kennel with it. Something to remind it of home. You also might want to get an absorbent mat/cushion for it to lay on.
Side note: If your pet is small enough you might want to widen your travel options by having both a cabin approved carrier and also a kennel. Although airlines approve and confirm your pet's reservation there are other restrictions that may interfere with your pet's travel. You can always add which ever carrier you don't use as baggage. -
Step 3
Kennel training. Start getting your pet used to being in the kennel/carrier for long periods of time. Start with putting a treat in there for the pet to find, let the pet get used to going in and out of of the kennel/carrier. Once its comfortable going in on its own start by locking it in a few minutes a day; 5, 10, 20 minutes. Then try to let it last sleeping all night in it. Then try giving the pet a car ride in it.
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Step 4
Ask your vet to install a microchip. Make sure the microchip has the correct ISO Standards 11784/11785. If your current chip is not compliant with these standards ask your vet where you can rent a reader for your chip.
Suggestion: I suggest you insert an additional chip if your pet does not have the correct one; even though you have the reader no one else will. -
Step 5
Get a bilingual health certificate from your veterinarian. Your dog must have current vaccinations and a microchip; you must have the certified copy of the rabbis vaccination as well.
FYI: The certificate says that it is valid 4 months after signature. I suggest that it is signed within 10 days of departure to ensure all the requirements are met on the day you leave.
If they do not have one you can print it out for them: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/regulations/vs/iregs/animals/downloads/ge_cn_certif.pdf -
Step 6
Dog tags. Your pet will have more than one tag on its collar.
- microchip tag
- name tag (current address and phone number)
- name tag (address and phone number of contact in Germany)
- current rabbis tag -
Step 7
Day of departure.
Make 3 copies of the health certificate and rabbis certificate. Place one copy in the pet's carrier/kennel. Keep one copy with your travel documents. The final copy handy for airline personnel. -
Step 8
If you pet is traveling in the kennel make sure you pack food and water to give the airline.
If your pet is traveling in the cabin with you pack treats in the carrier so you can feed it treats throughout the flight (just enough to keep the belly calm). Give your pet some water or ice to lick every now and then to keep it hydrated.
Comments
amylaine said
on 10/17/2008 Excellent article, very helpful.