pet transport

[Flying Illini]

please help w/info regarding pet transport

Anyone have any ideas what the best/easiest/cheapest way to get a dog from Pheonix, AZ to Champaign, IL? It's a puppy, 8-10lbs. I'm willing to consider just about any option. Or is this a lost cause and driving is the only way.

Thanks

 

[eddie]

AWA allows 1 or 2 pets in the cabin, you could at least get to ORD or STL.

 

[Flying Illini]

Thanks. Yeah, I figured a drive would be in store, I don't mind that. IND is the shortest, then MDW/ORD, then STL.

 

[FL000]

Please don't put him in cargo. That's just cruel.

 

[English]

The best way? www.companionair.com


Unfortunately the best way is not always the cheapest.

Take Southwest to MDW and drive the rest of the way, maybe?

I've taken pets on board with no problems. There are special soft-sided carriers you can buy (if it is a small pooch) that will fit under the seat, at least, fit under good enough to pass. Bring a small stash of food for your pet, and a small bowl for water. If the pet doesn't travel well, go to your vet and get some pills to help the little guy relax. It's better if they can be calm throughout the journey.

 

[jbud]

I would think twice about sedation. It is widely agreed that sedation accounts for a significant number of deaths while travelling....


http://www.ipata.com/questions.htm#tranquilize%20my%20cats

 

[English]

The article states the OVERsedation is cause of many deaths.

But yes, I agree that sedation should be a last resort. I only suggested it if the guy has a nervous pet.

 

[jbud]

From that article:

Although sedatives/tranquilizers should never be repeated for animals traveling by air, sedated pets may have adverse reactions in pressurized aircraft even when single doses are administered at recommended dosages. Animal can respond very differently to sedatives/tranquilizers under normal circumstances.

The fact is that anytime an animal has an adverse reaction to sedation, it's going to be called "oversedation", even if that sedation is one dose.

I would say however that most of the problems likely occur when a pet is shipped in the cargo hold, instead of when travelling with a pet in the cabin.

 

[Flying Illini]

don't worry about the cargo deal, I wouldn't travel in a cargo compartment and neither will my dog. I can't imagine how rough a ride that would be.

It seems like Delta has a decent pet travel policy and their flight schedule is just right for what I need. SWA's website states "no pets." I found that a little surprising.

Sedation just doesn't seem like the way to go, especially since it's a small puppy.

My biggest concern is him being crammed in that small carrier for as long as he will be. 3.5hrs from PHX-CVG. It's a 50minute layover in CVG on the way back so I figure I'll be able to let him out to stretch his legs. My biggest concern, he's gonna have to "do his business" sometime during this trip and I don't see a grassy patch being available to him until we land in IND. That will be nearly 7 hrs since the trip started in PHX. Any suggestions? Not sure that I will have time to take him outside the airport, and out through security, then back through in less than 50 minutes.

 

[English]

Diapers.

Just kidding.

I took two cats cross country and they didn't go once. Odd. I think they were too nervous.

I'd just plan on having to do some clean-up. He's a small pup, right?

I'm surprised SWA doesn't take pets. Is that just their cargo hold policy or their carry-on policy as well? Because, I've seen people take small pets on SWA in the cabin. Maybe the gate agent wasn't paying attention or overlooked it.

 

[satpak77]

where do these dogs pee when they travel from major city airport at City A and fly 3 hours to City B

no yard, park, etc, fire hydrant, etc

 

[Flying Illini]

from southwest.com

[font=Arial,sans-serif]Animals and Pets[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Southwest Airlines does not accept live animals in the aircraft cabin or cargo compartment other than fully trained service animals accompanying a person with a disability or being delivered to a person with a disability. [/font]

[font=Arial,sans-serif]For more information regarding Southwest Airlines policies, please see the Contract of Carriage.[/font]

 

[EagleRJ]

Please do NOT check your pet! There's too much that can go wrong.

We're not even taking pets in cargo right now. Checked animals are embargoed during the summertime.

 

[Flying Illini]

I'd just plan on having to do some clean-up. He's a small pup, right?

That's what I figured. I'll bring a backpack with a "clean-up kit." Wait, sporty's has those packs that turn urine into gel right? Hmmmmm....

This adventure will happen on the 24th, I'll let everyone know how it goes.

 

[English]

Good luck! I'd love to see a picture of the little guy...maybe your new avatar?

 

[Flying Illini]

Good luck! I'd love to see a picture of the little guy...maybe your new avatar?

Man, I must be a freakin' idiot because I cannot figure out how to make an picture become an avatar. I have tried using photo editing software to shrink the photo to the proper pixels and when I go to import it, it just keeps saying that it's too big. If I ever get it figured out, I'll put the pic up there. Until then, http://www.petfinder.com/pet.cgi?action=2&pet=3217286&adTarget=468doggeneral&SessionID=411d97fe31935230-app5&display=&preview=1&row=0&tmpl=&stat==

 

[350DRIVER]

Good thread....

I am looking into getting a lab puppy very soon and the breeding farm that I am going to use is on the opposite side of the country. Good suggestions and pointers so far.

3 5 0

ps> nice lookin pup.

 

[eddie]

You could go direct to IND on AWA.

two flights a day.

 

[Flying Illini]

I saw the AWA flights. If I recall, the problem was that those arrival in PHX/departure from PHX times just didn't fit with the schedule I'm on. Too bad too, a non-stop flight would have been nice...

 

[Pilot124]

Try Mesaba...Priority pet program. I think it's around $75.00

 

[flap operator]

Info on NWAs priority pet program...

http://www.nwa.com/services/shipping/cargo/products/ppet.shtml

Your pet will be chauffered in this airconditioned van that looks like a dalmation with big red PRIORITY PET on the side. The avros operated by Mesaba even have an animal bin, but going to IND you won't be on a bacjet.

PHX looks to be embargoed this time of year... rightfully so.

Good luck.

FO