Traveling by Air With Your Pet
Animal Care
January 2002
Dogs, cats, and most other warmblooded animals transported by air
are protected by the Animal Welfare Act. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's
(USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) enforces
this law.
APHIS' shipping regulations help assure that animals are treated
humanely by airlines as well as animal dealers, exhibitors, and research
laboratories. Pet exhibitors, owners, and other shippers also are
affected by regulations established to protect the well-being and
safety of animals in transit.
Airline Procedures
Airlines transport animals in the cargo compartment of the plane,
but some airlines allow passengers to transport small animals in the
cabin as carryon luggage. The pet must be placed in a kennel that
is comfortable yet small enough to fit under the passenger's seat.
Carryon pets are not protected by the Animal Welfare Act. For specific
airline requirements, contact the airline.
APHIS Requirements
Age
Dogs and cats must be at least 8 weeks old and must have
been weaned before traveling with the airlines.
Kennels
Kennels must meet minimum standards for size, strength,
sanitation, and ventilation.
Size and Strength
Kennels must be enclosed and allow room for the animal to
stand, sit, breathe, and rest comfortably. They must be easy to open,
strong enough to withstand the stress of shipping, and free of objects
that could injure the animal.
Sanitation
Kennels must have a solid, leak-proof floor that is covered
with litter or absorbent lining. Wire or other ventilated subfloors
are generally allowed; pegboard flooring is prohibited. This provides
the maximum cleanliness for the animal in travel.
Ventilation
Kennels must be well ventilated with openings that make
up at least 14 percent of the total wall space. At least one-third
of the openings must be located in the top half of the kennel. Kennels
also must have rims to prevent ventilation openings from being blocked
by other shipments. These rims usually placed on the sides of the
kennel must provide at least three-quarters of an inch clearance.
Grips and Markings
Kennels must have grips or handles for lifting to prevent
cargo workers from being bitten. Kennels also must be labeled "live
animals" or "wild animals" on the top and one side with directional
arrows indicating position of the kennel. Lettering must be at least
1 inch high.
Animals Per Kennel
Each species must have its own kennel with the exception
of compatible personal pets of similar size. Maximum numbers include
2 puppies or kittens less than 6 months old and 20 pounds each, 15
guinea pigs or rabbits, and 50 hamsters.
Feeding and Watering
Instructions for feeding, watering, and administering medication
to the animal over a 24-hour period must be attached to the kennel.
The 24-hour schedule will assist the airline in providing care for
animals that are diverted from their scheduled destination. The shipper
is required to document that the animal was given food and water within
4 hours of transport, and the certification must include the time
and date of feeding.
Food and water dishes must be securely attached and be accessible
without opening the kennel. Food and water must be provided to puppies
and kittens every 12 hours if they are less than 16 weeks old. Mature
animals must be fed every 24 hours and given water every 12 hours.
Health Certification
Airlines and State health officials generally require health
certificates for all animals transported by air. Health certificates
must be issued by a licensed veterinarian who examined the animal
within 10 days of transport. Dealers, exhibitors, and others regulated
under the Animal Welfare Act must provide a health certificate for
each dog, cat, or nonhuman primate shipped.
Trips Outside the Continental United States
Foreign countries and Hawaii have quarantine or health requirements
for arriving pets. For information about Hawaii's requirements, write
to:
Division of Animal Industry
Animal Quarantine Branch
99-951 Halawa Valley Street
Aiea, HI 96701-3294
(808) 483-7151 or (808) 483-7100
For information about international requirements, contact the appropriate
embassy or consulate at least 4 weeks before the trip.
Airlines or a full-service travel agency can provide additional information
about animal care requirements for international flights.
For more information about the Animal Welfare Act, write to:
Animal Care
APHIS, USDA
4700 River Road, Unit 84
Riverdale, MD 20737
Telephone: (301) 734-7833
E-mail: ace@usda.gov
Web page: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ac
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination
in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national
origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual
orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases
apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative
means for communication of program information (Braille, large print,
audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600
(voice and TDD).
To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office
of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence
Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202)720-5964 (voice
and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.