Traveling with dogs

Mr. Sanyal you will have to take your Dogs by Air too! There are very good quality imported Kennels made of a heavy fibre/plastic material and as per airline acceptable specification. These are available from Pet Stores. They are expensive but very strong and each Dog must have his own Kennel. When you make your Airline Reservation, please check with that Airline whether they will accept the carriage of live dogs. Many low cost carriers do not accept them for carriage in the hold. If the Airline does accept them please inform the Reservation staff of your intention to carry two dogs. Their weight including that of the cage must be specified for each and entered into your booking record. The Dogs go into the hold. The Captain will be advised of the carriage of these animals and he will adjust the temperature and pressure in the hold accordingly.

I just sent my son's Labrador Retriever by air to Pune and it cost me about Rs.220 per Kg.

By: Priya Shergill | 25 Nov 2008

Mr. Sanyal the cages must be big enough to allow your Dogs to stand comfortably and be able to turn around.

By: Priya Shergill | 25 Nov 2008

Tigercub 47 thank you for your guidance. Just curious to know should we inform the airlines in advance about the dogs at the time of booking our tickets? Is ther any chance that the cargo be declined? Also how do we pacify the dogs when then enter the cargo hold?

By: Saugat Sanyal | 26 Nov 2008

Yes Mr. Sanyal you have to inform the Airlines at the time of booking your tickets. You will have to give them the weight of each Dog inclusive of the cage. They will not decline the carriage of live animals as it is high revenue Cargo. We need to advise them in advance and make sure the request is on the file so that Cargo space for other Cargo is planned accordingly for that particular flight. On the day of flight, please carry with you the Vaccination Booklets for the Dogs along with a Fit to Fly certificate from your Veterinary Doctor. Some Airlines insist on a certicate from the Vet to say that the Dogs have been satisfactorily sedated. The Kennels have to be as per specification of the International Air Transportation Association so please do not go in for cheaper cages made of wire or wood as these would be refused by the Airline concerned. If your Dogs are not used to the Kennels, please try keeping them inside for short periods of time to begin with and then gradually increase the time till they are comfortable with longer duration. For really hyperactive, excitable Dogs, sedation would be required, but this would have to be under your Vet's guidance. Airlines do recommend sedation in all cases.

By: Priya Shergill | 26 Nov 2008