How to Take a Ferret on an Airplane

Cute and curious, ferrets are becoming more and more popular as pets. However, when a ferret wriggles its way into your heart and life, it brings a dilemma. As hard as it is to travel with cats and dogs, traveling with a ferret on an airplane presents a whole new level of challenges, especially since they are not welcome on most major airlines. If you are planning on trying to travel with your ferret on an airplane, there are steps you can take to make it possible, but you must start planning well before you want to purchase tickets.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. The first step to flying with a ferret on an airplane is to get him or her a "clean bill of health" from a vet issued no more than 10 days before the flight.

2. Next, check the regulations of the Wildlife Department of the city and state to which you are flying to see if your ferret will be allowed. For instance, ferrets are illegal as pets in California and Hawaii. Furthermore, some places have local regulations that prohibit them. To bring your ferret on an airplane to Canada, you will need proof of rabies and distemper vaccinations.

3. Begin looking for a ferret friendly airline. Delta is the only major airline that allows ferrets to fly in the airplane cabin. Flying your ferret in cargo is generally discouraged. There is sometimes no heat or air-conditioning and this should never be done during the summer when the temperature is above 80 degrees because the ferret can suffer heatstroke. Although they charge $60 each way, as an airline, Delta is very friendly to ferrets and ferret owners. America West and Air Canada are smaller airlines that also allow ferrets in the cabin.

4. Next, you need to buy airline tickets and call the airline to reserve a spot for the ferret on the airplane. There are only so many pets allowed in the cabin at a time, so if there is one cat already booked, you may only be allowed one ferret. At this time, you might also want to make sure that your carrier is airline approved.

5. Purchase a hard carrier (not a soft carrying bag) that will fit under the seat on the airplane. You will also want extra locks, a small crock or parrot feeder, puppy training pads for when your ferret goes, and a no-drip bottle.

6. The morning you leave, make sure that have your ferret's ID tags on him or her. Set up the carrier, attach the extra locks, fill the crock with food, place a toy and sleeper in the ferret carrier, and fill the water bottle with ice chips if it is warm out. Remember to never sedate a traveling ferret (or any other pet).

7. Leave the house with extra time to get through security as your carrier will have to be hand-checked before you board the airplane.

8. Make sure your ferret is well set up and secured before you get on the airplane as you will not be able to put it on your lap, take it out, or hold it during the flight.

9. Be inconspicuous and respectful when flying with a ferret so that these airlines will continue to allow them on board and so that others can enjoy the privilege of flying with their ferrets.

Tips & Warnings

• Start planning for your airplane trip way ahead of time
• Make sure you have a ferret carrier that is hard and that will fit under the seat of the airplane
• Do not let strangers hold your ferret while you are in the airport
• Don't forget to call and reserve a seat for your ferret on the airplane

[static404]

on 9/9/2009 Cool article. I don't have any ferrets, but the idea of needing to know how to take them on an airplane intrigued me. Good job getting all the details together for this.

[kmarchany]

on 8/23/2009 hi jeysa this is a repost as to your message. i know its a bit late, but i just saw the message. I am also the owner of 3 beautiful fuzzies who i adore with all my heart, and i recently moved to puerto rico and i couldnt leave them either. I actually called one airline and told them i was going to travel with two kittens, and i just sedated my ferrets only a little bit (one drop of sedative), and i rolled them in a baby blanket and put them in an airline approved carrier. No one asked me anything, no one even noticed my ferrets and my flight was 9 hours long. I know it's a bit risky and I must confess that I was really lucky to have made it here and have them with me. I am very grateful for it. What I suggest is choosing a flight that arrives in Puerto Rico at a time lower than 5 pm, because it's at this time that customs usually closes and they are the ones who have jurisdiction ove...

[rto0288]

on 6/23/2009 At the time this was poste, it may have been valid but at I just tried to book a flight with Delta and ferrets are on their list of pets they specific DO NOT allow in the cabin. Bummer :(

[jeysa]

on 2/25/2009 I just learned that ferrets are illegal in Puerto Rico. Do you think the airlines know that? I am thinking maybe if they do not know or don't care I might risk it because I cannot leave my pet behind. Please help,any ideas of how to do this. Jeysa

[soanyway]

on 1/11/2009 My friend has ferret's and my friends mom says they smell! I never knew that. I would give it a ferrett go nite nite and hide it. LOL