All About Pet Travel - Tips For Vacationing With Your Pet

All about pet travel answers all your questions about pet travel in the new millennium. Here you will learn about updated airline travel restrictions, required quarantine for some pets, and if additional restrictions apply for larger dogs.

Airline travel for you and your pet will most likely change in 2009. The aviation laws have become stricter since terrorism is on the rise. If you haven't prepared your trip in advance, you may be surprised at the airport. Following are some pet friendly travel tips so you and your pet can travel comfortably.

Some airlines do not allow any pets to travel in the cabin. You can call the airline you are traveling on to find out if they allow pets in the passenger cabin.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) allows each airline to decide if they will allow you to travel with your pet in the passenger cabin. If an airline does allow you to bring your pet into the cabin, they consider your pet container to be carry-on baggage and you must follow all carry on baggage rules:

- Your pet container must be small enough to fit underneath the seat without blocking any person's path to the main aisle of the airplane.

- Your pet container must be stowed properly before the last passenger entry door to the airplane is closed in order for the airplane to leave the gate.

- Your pet container must remain properly stowed the entire time the airplane is moving on the airport surface and for take off and landing.

- You must follow flight attendant instructions regarding the proper stowage of your pet container.

Taking your pet overseas:

- If you decide to take your pet with you when you go abroad, you should check with the embassies of the destination countries as to specific requirements that must be met before a pet may be brought into the country.

- Many countries have strict health, quarantine, agriculture, wildlife, and customs requirements and prohibitions.

- Animals must have room to stand/turn around, sit and lie down in a natural position.

- Kennels must be constructed of wood, metal, plastic, similar material, leak-proof, escape proof and door must fasten securely and need ventilation on 2-sides in addition to the door. Kennels must also have a water container with outside access for filling, in case a delay occurs.

- Collapsible Kennels (those which can fold down flat) can not be accepted due to the risk of collapse during transport.

- You are required to secure rigid plastic kennels with releasable cable ties attached to all four corners. Most Airlines will provide the ties to the customer at no cost.

The maximum size for checked kennels is a series 500 kennel with the following dimensions: 40" long x 27" wide x 30" high. However, this size kennel is not accepted on the Boeing MD-80 (S80). Kennels checked on MD-80s must be able to fit through the cargo door while remaining in an upright position. MD-80 cargo doors are 29" high x 53" wide. Series 700 kennels are not allowed on any aircraft. The maximum weight of a checked pet and kennel (combined) cannot exceed 100 lbs.

Also, make sure you know the rules for the state you're traveling to. For example, if you're traveling to the State of Hawaii, pets are not allowed in the passenger cabin. Your pet must be booked as check-in baggage. If you're traveling within the islands of Hawaii, your pet may travel in the passenger cabin in a crate that fits under the seat in front of you. On the other hand, pets are permitted in the passenger cabin on flights leaving the State of Hawaii.

It's also important that your pet is comfortable. If your travel involves a long flight, you may want to consider bringing a tranquilizer. Also, bring your pet's water bowl and some of his favorite toys.

In order to make your entire vacation experience fun for your family and your pet make sure you call your airline so your understanding of their rules is clear. You can also go online to see pet do's and don'ts. By understanding the latest pet friendly travel tips, your pet will consider YOU his best friend.