The decision to take your pet with you on a trip is not always the wisest decision, but it is becoming increasingly popular with the increase in the number of hotels and restaurants. pet friendly. On the other hand, mobility remains an obstacle, especially in the case of air travel. Companies already realize that some dogs and cats look like real family members, but they still impose a series of requirements that have to be met – for the safety and comfort of other passengers.
And to complicate the situation, each plane has its own rules and each animal has its own temperament. Hence the doubts. Is air travel safe for animals? What documents do I need to submit? Does the pet go in the crate or cabin with its owner? These questions were answered during an episode of the “Bichos na Escuta” podcast, which featured veterinary consultant Rita Erickson and aircraft maintenance specialist Lito Souza, as well as reporter Giuliana Girardi in charge. Check out the tips below:
a ticket
The owner must purchase his own ticket and then contact the relevant company to reserve the place also for his pet. It is important to do this in advance because a maximum of three animals are carried per flight.
The fees charged vary according to aerial. The Goal It transports animals that are at least six months old. Those weighing up to 10kg in the cabin and those weighing up to 30kg waiting, rates from R$250 for domestic flights to R$800 for international flights.
The to complete Animals weighing up to 7 kg are allowed to travel with their owners, but animals weighing up to 45 kg must be placed in the luggage compartment. Prices range from $200 to R$900 on domestic routes and from $150 to $300 on international routes.
The blueFinally, he only transports pets inside the cabin. The total weight of the animal and the transport box cannot exceed 7 kg. The cost of the trip is 250 BRL each way for domestic travel and 100 USD For those who are going with the company towards Lisbon in Portugal. The new service is also offered on flights from the United States and Europe to Brazil.
In any case, it is important to know that only cats and dogs can travel by plane, and some breeds are prohibited. Airlines do not accept dogs known to their people for their flat snouts – such as pugs, bulldogs and Boston terriers – as well as Burmese, exotic, Himalayan and Persian cats.
Veterinary consultant Rita Erickson explains that these animals, which no longer breathe well when on the ground, can even suffocate when placed inside the plane, where there is pressure and a low concentration of oxygen.
documentation
On domestic flights, airlines require the following documents:
- Rabies vaccination certificate For animals over 3 months old, apply 30 days to 1 year before shipment date
- animal health certificate Proof that he is fit for the trip, issued by a veterinarian no later than 10 days before the trip
On flights abroad, the passenger may also have to provide other documents, such as International Certificate of Animal Health (CVI)send By the International Agricultural Watch of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA).
Certification is also subject to the company selected and the country of destination, which may consider some dog breeds to be dangerous. Brazilian Fila, for example, cannot be created in the . format United kingdom.
Cabin or basement?
According to aircraft maintenance specialist Lito Sousa, it is always better for the animal to stay with its owner in the cabin, where he will definitely feel less stressed. However, it is not always possible to make this choice. In addition to weight, what will determine where your dog or cat will travel is the size of the kennel it is being moved into.
The Goal For cabin travel, animals are required to be accommodated in rigid boxes (maximum dimensions 22 cm high x 32 cm wide x 43 cm) or in flexible bags (24 cm x 32 x 43 cm), and additional weight must not exceed 10 kg for travel in Standing condition, the box size can be up to 82cm x 114cm x 142cm.
at to complete, the maximum dimensions for carriage in the cabin are 19 cm x 33 cm x 36 cm for rigid boxes and 23 cm x 33 cm x 36 cm for flexible bags, with a maximum gross weight of 7 kg. In the luggage compartment, the volume increases until it reaches a height of 115 cm and a linear 300 cm (the sum of the height, width and length).
The blueFinally, animals are transported only in the cabin. They must be placed in boxes or bags of not more than 7 kg in weight and dimensions up to 20 cm x 31.5 cm x 43 cm.
to prepare
To make the experience smoother for the pet, no matter where it will be traveling, veterinary advisor Rita Erickson advises owners to use the dog or cat in the crate it will be transported in – a process that should start well in advance of delivery. Date.
On the day of the flight itself, it is important to wrap the box with a bath rug. Even animals that used to urinate in the same place can end up leaking urine or feces due to stress.
Rita also warns that airlines prohibit sedatives and tranquilizers, which can cause side effects in animals. warn thatAntidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs may also be an alternative, but they should be evaluated with a vet, who will take into account the pet’s health and weigh the pros and cons. “It is not a cake recipe, you need to study the animal,” he emphasizes.
Loading and unloading
Small dogs and cats travel all the way inside the airport with their owners, as if they were part of a handbag. The difference is that they are not x-rayed: instead, the kennel is checked upon check-in. Pets cannot be taken out of their bags or crates under any circumstances, and must be accommodated under the seat inside the aircraft.
Large animals that will be carried in the hold of the aircraft must be accepted upon check-in. They are also not x-rayed and are not taken to the plane with baggage. An airline employee will be assigned to inspect the kennel and take it to a designated part of the airport, where the animal will be kept until boarding. To save them from the noise, the animals are the last to enter the cargo hold.
They travel in the front of the larger planes and in the back of the smaller planes. The pilot is responsible for operating the device which will ventilate the bunker and always keep it at 22°c. Upon disembarkation, the pet will be transferred to the same area where the baggage will be collected. Again, this will be done manually by an employee, not the conveyor belt.
safety
Veterinary advisor Rita Erickson cautions that it is essential to assess whether a pet dog or cat is able to travel, and factors such as temperament, weight and breed should always be considered.
Aircraft maintenance specialist Lito Sousa ensures air travel is safe, but notes that unforeseen events can always happen during a flight. “I would travel with an animal as a last resort because the stress a pet is going through is very high,” he says.
The podcast “Bichos na Escuta” publishes new episodes every Thursday on Globoplay and Spotify. Listen:
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