Is Airline Travel Safe For Pets – Pet Carrier Kennel Test and Flight Travel Checklist Offered

Is your pet carrier safe for Air Travel? The new laws of May 2005 require airlines to report all pet incidents to an appropriate government agency. These reports are then compiled and released to the public monthly by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Pet owners can now access these detailed reports on specific airlines prior to making pet travel arrangements. “Equipped with this newly released information pet owners can now make more informed pet travel choices,” says Lisa Kelly, owner of DryFur.com and KC Pet Products, LLC.FACT: These Newly Released Reports note that, overall, pet airline travel is safe. Reports further state that, although extremely rare, the number one cause of incidents (death, injury or loss) has usually been “Kennel Problems” such as escape or injuries during escape attempts. The second leading cause of incident was extreme temperatures (heat/cold). DryFur.com is a pet care site that helps inform and prepare pet owners for flight trips with that special little friend.Is your pet carrier safe for Air Travel?Take the DryFur.com 9-Point Carrier Kennel Test below to find out:* Is it constructed of thick heavy-duty plastic with a metal door and metal bolt attachments?* Is it missing any hardware? Reports indicate that just one missing nut & bolt attachment can cause serious problems for traveling pets.* Does your pet carrier kennel have dial latch attachments? Reports indicate that these types of attachments are not nearly as reliable or safe as metal bolt attachments. They further recommend that these types of attachments should be reinforced with plastic cable ties to ensure they will stay in the closed/locked position.* Does your pet carrier kennel have plastic peg-type attachments? Reports indicate that these types of attachments are also not as safe or reliable as metal bolt attachments. They further recommend that these types of attachments should be removed and replaced with metal nuts & bolts or plastic cable ties.* Does your pet carrier have snap together attachments? Reports indicate these types of kennels are very unreliable.* What about the kennel door, will it stay closed and secure even if your pet begins to panic? Some airlines are now requiring plastic cable ties on all kennel doors to insure they stay closed/locked during flights.* Is your kennel lined sufficiently to absorb all wetting accidents? Wet slippery kennel floors are very uncomfortable and extremely unsafe for traveling pets. Further wet skin and fur will exasperate cold temperatures creating a dangerously unsafe environment for your traveling pet.* Is your kennel properly labeled with “Live Animals” and “Arrow indicating this side Up” to insure proper handling?* In the unlikely event your pet does escape always make sure your pet has current updated contact information attached to his/her collar. (when traveling or relocating a cell phone, pager or family member’s numbers is preferred for the quickest response) Also pack along a recent photo of your pet this will assist you in locating your pet if he/she is lost or escapes.