THINKING ABOUT FLYING WITH YOUR PET? DO YOUR RESEARCH FIRST, PLEASE!

In accordance with the Safe Air Transport for Animals Act passed in June, commercial airlines in the United States are now required to report all incidents of family owned pets who are injured, lost, or killed while flying in the cargo hold of domestic flights. The original legislation, which the ASPCA spearheaded and which failed due to the airlines' opposition, would have required airlines to install newer temperature-controlled cargo holds. However, pet owners are now able to check an airline’s track record and make an informed decision before making their travel plans. This information is available to the public at the Department of Transportation’s Air Travel Consumer Report site, and for your convenience we’ve already compiled all the information and made it available by both airline and month at ASPCA.org.

While the ASPCA continues to urge pet owners to think twice before flying their animal companions as cargo, we understand that sometimes there are no other options. We will continue to monitor airline performance and go back to Congress, if necessary, to mandate that the newer temperature-controlled cargo holds be used. In the meantime, if you must transport your pet by air, please check out our Top Ten Air Travel Tips, and be sure to download our air transportation incident reports.