Hey all, Anyone here have any experience with their dog flying on an airplane? I have a friend moving from NYC to Cali in two weeks and was just told by the airline that it's too cold for the animal to fly. She received a quote from a doggy airline of $975 and she can't afford that. Any suggestions?
Thanks for all your help.
Thanks for your help ladies. I have forwarded your suggestions to my friend and pray she will be able to use one.
BTW, I thought of "snakes on a plane" too. hehe
Presumably the dog is too big to go in a carrier under the seat?
I'd call a few more places...I just Googled "pet transport" and came up with a bunch of companies that drive or fly pets. She should also contact her vet and kennels in her area to see if they can recommend someone.
Large animals fly in the luggage compartment and it is too cold for them to fly right now on many aircraft.
I have no answer but this just made me laugh because I thought of the movie "Snakes on a Plane".
My parents moved to Salt Lake City in December, and we had to fly their cats there to meet them (nobody thought driving 2 cats 700 miles seemed like a good idea =). They flew them as "live cargo" and as such, the cargo hold was heated. It was still cold but warm enough for the cats to do just fine. It was on Delta, and as I recall the price was pretty steep - I think in the $400-500 range for 2 cats. I was the one who had to drop off the cats at the airport and it was a huge hassle (TONS of paperwork) but they both made it safe and sound!
My other suggestion is to contact your local AKC (kennel club) and see if they have any suggestions. The reason I say this is that show dogs fly to dog shows routinely, and they all live through it. Most if not all of them fly as live cargo.
How big is the dog? If 20 lbs or under, they can fly in cabin with your friend. I would not put my dog in the cargo hold, but I have flown with him several times in cabin. If it's a move, your friend could drive out.
Start calling some airlines. I bought my cats from Vermont and they had to go as live cargo. They apparently have a limit on that because some flights wouldn't allow it, and some were "full". They made it safe and sound, and I think it was about $500. You can also try some breeders in your area, because they may have more knowledge about the best bets.
check the guidelines on:
www.tsa.gov
Some airlines have heated and pressurized cabins for animals - and some don't. She should try some of the other airlines before trying for a doggie airline. Call your local kennel club to see how they fly their dogs for shows. Good luck.
A friend of mine moved to HI and had a company bring the dog to her in the cabin in a crate, she is a yellow lab.
We've taken our cats in a carrier and put them under the seat.
I have also seen people take large dogs on the plane with just a leash. Probably helper dogs though.
My sister is here in MI from TX for the Holidays and was able to take the dogs (2) with her for $125 ea one way and they count as a carry on. The way the question is worded I am assuming that this is a dog that exceeds the weight requirement for being on board with your friend hence the other option which would have been with the luggage would be too cold. Check the trains not sure if they have provisions since the dog would need to be let out and fed but worth a call.
if any leg of the flight is below freezing, they won't fly pets under the plane. my dog got stuck in michigan for a month, waiting for temps to rise. good luck! worst case scenario, my sister lives in nyc & travels back and forth to sf every few months. maybe she could help;)
They have temperature requires for the ground when the pet is on the tarmac sometimes. Check with the airline that is flying the dog, sometimes if when you get a health certificate from the vet you can also get an official note from the vet stating that the pet can be within a set temperature range safely that is slightly higher or lower than the temperatures set by the airlines. I know when I worked at a vet's office we did this for one dog for about a 5 degree difference than what the airline official requirements were. The letter did mention that it could not be for more than x amount of time.
Which end of the flight is the temperature to cold? She may be able to drive a little to fly or pick up her dog at another airport. Sometimes just going in one direction for an hour or so will solve the problem. There are also a couple of companies that will drive pets, probably not much cheaper than the dog airline. Good luck to her and hope she can find a way to get her dog moved with her easily.
