Considering that the majority of everybody enjoys dogs in this world, we are dedicating today’s column to addressing more concerns about what you require to understand when taking a trip with your family pets.
This proficiency originates from Becca Blond, a freelance author for TPG who has actually taken a trip thoroughly with her 12-pound Chiweenie called Poppy, which you can find out more about here.
For more TPG news provided each early morning to your inbox, register for our everyday newsletter.
Do I require veterinarian records to take a trip locally?
“You do not require veterinarian records for domestic travel on planes in the majority of parts of the U.S. so long as your dog is accompanying you in the cabin,” Blonde informed me.
Nevertheless, if you read my current story concerning what you require to understand about taking a trip with dogs on an aircraft, you remember that the majority of U.S. airline companies enable family pets to fly in the cabin as travel luggage or in the hold as excess travel luggage so long as you and your animal are flying together and your animal fulfills particular size and weight constraints. Nevertheless, some airline companies do need all family pets to fly as freight.
“If you check your pet as cargo, many airline companies need a health certificate, but if you are traveling to Hawaii, for example, the requirements are much stricter,” she said. “If you want to take your dog to Puerto Rico you’ll need to show proof of rabies vaccine as well.”
What is the weight limit for animals on a plane and how do they need to be contained?
“It varies from airline to airline but usually family pets must be under 25 pounds and it has more to do with the size of the carrier your dog is traveling in. Airlines require use of certain types of carriers with a max size and these must be able to fit under the seat in front of you,” says Blond. “Your dog or cat must fit into the kennel comfortably. It is best to call the airline before purchasing a ticket to examine on their animal policies and the exact measurements required for the carrier.”
As one example, you can find Alaska Airlines’ pet policies on its website. Alaska allows dogs as long as they fit in a carrier that fits under the seat in front of you, but some airlines, like American Airlines, have a 20-pound weight limit for dogs, so do your homework.
What are the best airlines to fly with my dog?
Although most airlines have similar policies regarding weight and cabin limits and fees, you might find yourself partial to one airline versus another when your dog is involved, not unlike your preference for flying certain airlines.
Sign up for our daily newsletter
Based on her experience traveling extensively with her dog and previous dogs too, Blond said: “I’ve heard that Alaska Airlines is a favorite for the lowest fees. I’ve also heard Delta can be tricky because not numerous seats can accommodate the dog carriers. We flew Southwest and had a fine experience. Just know that whatever airline you choose you are going to pay between $100 and $175 each way for your dog to fly.”
What’s an EU pet passport and how do I get one?
“A European pet passport is a document which follows an EU standard model and is essential for travel between EU countries,” per the European Union. “It contains a description and details of your pet, including its microchip or tattoo code as well as its rabies vaccination record and contact details of the owner and the vet who issued the passport.”
“To initially get into the country to obtain the EU pet passport, you will still need to have an International Health Certificate from a USDA vet in the states,” recalls Blond, who outlined her challenging experience of getting one in Italy here. “Unless you are planning to regularly commute back and forth to Europe with your dog, it might not make sense to go through the effort of getting a pet passport. Also, it is not easy to get in some countries.”
How do you go about finding dog-friendly restaurants?
Have a concern for next week? Email me at [email protected] or [email protected].