Live Animal Shipping on Commercial Airlines - Kathy Cargile Senior Analyst - Specialty Sales American Airlines Cargo

Live Animal Shipping on Commercial Airlines
Kathy Cargile
Senior Analyst – Specialty Sales
American Airlines Cargo

                                          Feb 10, 2017

I LOVE my fur babies!
 Tripp                     Frisco & Angel             Ellie Mae

 Thelma                            Liza Jane   Fancie Pants

                                                  Willow

                                  Cleopatra

 instagram.com/thelmathechicken

PETS in the air

➢ A PET is a privately-owned companion animal not intended for research or resale
  and includes the following animal groups:
    •   Dogs, cats, ferrets, rabbits, rodents, hedgehogs/tenrecs, reptiles, amphibians and birds

➢ Animals have been transported by air since the early 1930s. In today's modern
  world, carriage of live animals by air is considered the most humane and expedient
  method of transportation over long distances.

➢ Airlines sincerely care about animals and the safe and humane shipment before,
  during and after transit. We all must follow government-imposed guidelines to
  ensure live animals are handled efficiently in transit and reach their final destination
  safe and sound.

Pets in the air
Live Animal Regulations

➢ The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
    •   aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel

➢ International Air Transport Association (IATA)
    •   iata.org

➢ Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)
    •   cites.org

➢ U.S Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
    •   fws.gov

Pets in the air
➢ Why do people move pets via air?
    •       Fast, convenient and cost effective
    •       Relocation
    •       Rescue Organizations – Not for profit
    •       Breeders
    •       Personal travel
    •       Zoo sanctuary, preserves or rehabilitation centers
➢ Be prepared
   •        Document requirements – needed within 10 days of departure
        •     Updated rabies certification
        •     Certificate of Veterinary Inspection/health certificates
        •     The American Veterinarian Medical Association recommends micro chipping your pet
        •     Temperature restrictions are important for safety
➢ Check airline websites
   •        Pet policies vary by airline – Checklists are available on IPATA
   •        Pet embargos – breed, aircraft, seasonal markets, facilities
   •        Consult website and country's consulate for Intl. import/export document requirements
   •        In many cases, a broker or pet shipper is required for Intl. transit/Customs clearance

Kennel requirements
➢ Kennels must meet USDA guidelines or the International Air Transport Association
  (IATA) Live Animal Regulations.

➢ Kennels must be made from rigid plastic, metal or wood with a metal grated door.

➢ Kennels must also be leak and escape proof, in good working condition and secured
  with metal nuts, bolts or screws.

➢ Kennels must have adequate ventilation:
    •   On at least three sides for domestic routings
    •   On all four sides for international routings

➢ Place absorbent material along the bottom .
    •   Not Acceptable: Hay, wood shavings or straw

➢ Place "Live Animal" and "This Side Up" labels on the top and at least two sides.
    •   The letters must be at least one inch tall

Kennels

Your pet's head or ear tips, whichever is higher, cannot touch the top of the crate.
 The kennel must provide enough room for your pet to stand and sit, without the
                       head touching the top of the kennel.

How to measure your dog

A = Length of animal from tip of nose to base/root of tail
B = Height from ground to elbow joint. A+1⁄2 B = length of container
C = Width across shoulders or widest point (whichever is the greater) Cx2 = width of
    container
D = Height of animal in natural standing position from top of the head or the ear tip to
    the floor (whichever is higher) / height of the container (top flat or arched)

Temperature embargos
➢ Current or forecasted temperature at the arrival, layover or departure airport is
  above 85°F (29°C) at any location on the itinerary.

➢ Ground temperature is below 45°F unless the pet has a veterinarian's statement of
  low temperature acclimation.

➢ An acclimation certificate must be issued and signed by a licensed veterinarian and
  dated within 10 days of travel for both the departure and return trip.
 ➢   Temperatures under 20°F are not allowed at any time.

➢ Acclimation certificate must include:
     • Shipper's name and address
     • Type of animal
     • Specific low temperature that the animal can withstand (noted)

Breed embargos

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Pet policies
➢ Sedation is generally not advised. The decision on whether or not to prescribe a
  tranquilizer for your pet should be made by your veterinarian.

➢ Most airlines do not transport wild game trophies:
   • Elephant, lion, water buffalo, rhinoceros and leopard

➢ Most airlines do not transport venomous snakes and lizards or poisonous
  amphibians as defined by the IATA Live Animal Regulations.

➢ Exotic/Wild Birds
    • You will need to, both in writing and on letterhead, note whether the
       bird(s) were:
         • Born in captivity on special farms, or
         • Being shipped to or from a zoological
            garden, sanctuary, preserve,
            rehabilitation center, medical agency
            or government wildlife agency.

Pet policies
➢ Primates
    • Primates may only be accepted for transportation when:
        •    In writing on the shipper’s letterhead, accompanying the Air Waybill (AWB), the
             shipper or agent must certify that the primate(s) being shipped were born or bred in
             captivity on special farms; or
        •    The primates are being shipped from or to a zoo sanctuary, preserve or rehabilitation
             center; and
        •    The transportation is restricted to airline on-line service only.
    • Most airlines will not accept primates used for laboratory research,
      experimentation or exploitation purposes.

Service and emotional support animals

   The law that allows a trained service dog to accompany a person with a
disability is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). An emotional support
     animal is an animal that provides a therapeutic benefit to its owner
                           through companionship.

                        Emotional support turkey

Thank you!
We look forward to welcoming you and your pet
                aboard soon!