JCS LivestockGeneral Pet Travel Advice
“What will my pet be travelling in on the flight?”
Your pet will need to fly in a flight kennel made to IATA specifications, with enough room inside for the pet to stand up, turn around and lie-down in. Boxes can be made out of plastic or the appropriate kind of wood, and will need a water bowl and funnel for the trip. We can supply you with a flight kennel or if you have your own, and it is suitable, we can fly your pet in that crate.
“Where in the aircraft will my pet go?”
Pets are placed in “hold 5”, at the rear of the plane. It is part of the baggage area underneath the cabin, but it is separated and it is heated. It is kept at the same temperature and pressure as the cabin, since the captain is notified of animals on board, and will make sure of this.
“Can I take my pet in the cabin?”
Pets are not allowed in the cabin with the passengers. This may be possible with internal flights in other countries but all pets entering and exiting the UK must travel as manifested cargo.
“Can I take my pet as excess baggage?”
Few airlines operate this procedure, which involves the owner checking their pet in with their luggage at the terminal. Basically the box with the pet in will be treated like a surfboard or bike and will be charged solely at a per kilo rate for excess baggage. This is normally arranged by the person on the flight, although we can help with supplying a flight kennel if required, or delivery to the terminal. Pets travelling as excess baggage also travel in the hold of the aircraft.
“Does anyone look after the pets?”
Pets are kept separate in the warehouse at the airline to keep them calm, and once they are put in the aircraft no-one is able to monitor them, since the hold is inaccessible. Pets are treated as a priority and should be put on last and taken off first.In the case of the long-haul flights with transfers the pets are checked at any refuel/transfer points and their water bowls are replenished. The pets are not let out- not only because they could run away, but also due to quarantine regulations. If the pets appear unwell they will be let out, but only as a last measure to allow veterinary access.
“Is it stressful?”
Whilst the initial part of the trip – arrival at JCS, separation from the owner, vet examination, X-ray, delivery to airline and subsequent delivery to the aircraft- is undoubtedly stressful for the pet, once they are in the aircraft and used to the noise, they will just tend to sleep through the flight. They will realise that not only can they not get out, but nothing can get into their crate, so they are safe. In the absence of stimulate the pet will “shut down” and sleep for the flight. Cats especially will not be bothered by the flight. Experience from working on imports at the Animal Reception Centre will teach you that pets getting off of a long-haul flight look better than their owners!
“Should I sedate my pet?”
NO!!! Sedation is not allowed:
· The pet may wake up in the hold if not sedated properly for the duration of the trip, and that would be very stressful.
· Sedation dehydrates pets.
· Sedation at a vet’s is a complicated procedure based on weight and muscle mass- it takes more sedation to keep a greyhound still compared to a Poodle of the same weight- and during sedation for operations pets are monitored for the process. Add pressure to the equation and it’s almost impossible to work out the right dose.
There are some homeopathic sprays that can be used in crates to calm the animals, but the client should check with their vet to be supplied with one- the pet may not like the smell and it should be tested on the pet prior to travel in case of any side effects.
“What about food?”
Pets cannot travel with food, or litter trays. Regulations state that pets must travel with water, but they cannot have food.
“Can I put bedding in with my pet?”
Some bedding is fine, as long as it does not take up too much room in the kennel- if it means that the box is no longer the right size for the pet then we will reject it. In the case of any country with quarantine the bedding may be removed and destroyed on arrival.
“Will the X-ray harm my pet?”
The X-ray used for security screening is less powerful than hospital machines, so it will not harm the pet. It is unavoidable- pets must be x-rayed.
“Can I send medication with my pet?”
If the medication is necessary during the journey, it will not be possible to medicate the pet. You should check with your vet to make sure the pet can last the duration of the flight (and if the pet should fly at all). Medication can travel on the flight box, but the airline has the right to take it off. To this end we recommend that the you arrange for some medication to be available at destination in case of emergency (this is a priority in the case of some illnesses like diabetes where an insulin injection may be needed on arrival). A letter stating the pet’s medical condition must travel with the pet, including type of medication and dosage.
“What about my pet’s collar/lead?”
Collars must be taken off prior to travel and then attached to the box, please be aware that the collar/lead may not make the trip for any number of reasons.
“Can I put a toy in with my pet?”
If the toy could be considered to be a choking hazard, then the toy can’t travel.
“Can my pets share a box?”
Only pets that are used to co-habiting may be allowed to share a flight kennel, and each pet cannot exceed 14kg.
