|
Press Releases
Publications
Videos
Art &
Symbols
Email
Us
Privacy
Statement
EEO Statement
USDA | MRP
APHIS Home Page
|
|
Feature News Release
Darby G. Holladay |
(301) 734-3265 |
Jerry Redding |
(202) 720-6959 |
APHIS GUIDE TO TRAVELING WITH YOUR PETS
Riverdale, Md., May 23, 2002--Millions of American families are about
to embark upon a national pastime--summer vacation air travel. Many
Americans also choose to travel with other valued family members, their
pets. Few things disrupt vacations more than unexpected problems. To
help make traveling with pets more enjoyable, the U.S. Department of
Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service outlines
several pet travel requirements and tips to make Americans that travel
with their pets informed and happy travelers.
Under the Animal Welfare Act, APHIS regulates the air transport of
dogs and cats. The AWA provides regulatory guidelines to assure humane
travel standards for pets. Travelers need to know the following criteria
before traveling with an airline:
- Dogs and cats must be at least 8 weeks old and weaned;
- Kennels must meet minimum standards for size, strength, sanitation
and ventilation;
- Kennels must be enclosed and allow room for the animal to stand,
sit, breathe and rest comfortably;
- Kennels must have a solid, leak-proof floor covered with litter
or absorbent lining;
- Kennels must have ventilated openings making up 14 percent of total
wall space;
- Kennels must have grips or handles for lifting to facilitate handling
by cargo workers;
- Each species must have its own kennel with the exception of compatible
personal pets of similar size. Maximum numbers include two puppies
or kittens less than 6 months old;
- Airlines require attached instructions to the kennel for feeding,
watering and administering medication for any animal when traveling
time is over 24 hours.
- Airlines and state health officials generally require health certificates
for all animals transported by air. A licensed veterinarian who examined
the animal within 10 days of transport must issue health certificates.
In addition, APHIS believes the following are helpful hints to make
traveling with a pet more enjoyable.
- Whenever possible, book a direct, nonstop flight and avoid holiday
or weekend travel.
- Arrive at the airport with plenty of time to insure proper check-in
of your pet.
- Carry a leash to walk your pet before check-in and after arrival.
- Do not take your pet out of its kennel inside the airport.
- Clearly mark the kennel with the pet’s name.
- Provide a telephone number of someone at your destination the airline
may contact regarding your pet.
- Call the airline for its specific travel requirements.
Pets taken out of the United States are subject, upon return, to the
same regulations for those entering for the first time. Pet cats and
dogs are subject to inspection at points of entry for
evidence of infectious diseases transmittable to humans. Dogs must have
an unexpired certificate showing vaccination against rabies at least
30 days prior to entry into the United States. Pet cats do not require
a rabies vaccination. All pet cats and dogs arriving in Hawaii and the
territory of Guam are subject to quarantine requirements. Travelers
taking pet cats and dogs to the United Kingdom must obtain from an APHIS
accredited veterinarian a Pet Travel Scheme Entry or Re-entry Certificate
from the USDA office in his or her state.
For further information regarding pet airline travel requirements please
contact Jerry DePoyster, USDA, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 84, Riverdale,
Md. 20737, telephone: (301) 734-7586, e-mail: ace@usda.gov, Web page:
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ac/publication.html.
#
Note to Reporters: USDA news releases, program announcements
and media advisories are available on the Internet. Access the
APHIS home page by pointing your Web browser to
http://www.aphis.usda.gov and clicking on the "News" button.
Also, anyone with an e-mail address can sign up to receive APHIS press
releases automatically. Send an e-mail message to
majordomo@info.aphis.usda.gov
and leave the subject blank. In the message, type:
subscribe press_releases
|
|