Relocating pet bunny by air

Question
Hi Lee,
I am from India and am moving to the UAE in March next year.
I have a 5.5-year-old bunny whom I'd like to take with me.
My concern, however, is about how safe air travel will be
for my rabbit. I have talked to some pet shippers in India
as well as in the UAE, and have been told that as per UAE
law, pet animals must travel in the cargo hold(I can't keep
him with me in the passenger cabin). I am worried about how
safe my rabbit will be in the cargo hold and the level of
risk involved in making this move. It's a direct four-hour
flight from India to Dubai.

My rabbit has travelled in the past by train for over 33
hours at a stretch but he was by my side the whole time and
he did pretty well. But travelling by air and in the cargo
hold is something that scares me. I would really appreciate
your advice on this.

Thank you.

Keerthi

Answer
Hi,

rabbits do not do well in cargo.  MAny people have wound up with a dead bunny as a result.  they can be scared to death plus the cold and lack of air pressure.  I would try to see if you could get a waiver if you could have him in a small carrier.  Otherwise is there any other mode of travel you could take to get there that would allow him to be with you during the trip?

I know you obviously love your rabbit, I'd look around for an airline that might allow a pet under the seat or on your lap in a small carrier, or another way to get to Dubai that allows a pet animal with you during travel.  If not you may need to keep him with family where you are now.