Per Pet Passport Information. The Internet’s most complete source of information for traveling with your pet anywhere in the World by car, train or air:
Temperature Restrictions For Pets In Cargo
- Temperature Restrictions have been established by some airlines to ensure animals are not exposed to extreme heat or cold in the animal holding areas, terminal facilities, when moving the animals between terminal and aircraft or on an aircraft awaiting departure.
Heat Restriction: Pets will not be accepted by some airlines when the current or forecasted temperature at the arrival or departure airport is above 84F (29C) at either location on the itinerary (75 degrees for snub-nosed dogs and snub-nosed cats).
The Airline Summer Heat Embargo
- During the summer months, May through September your airline may not allow you to transport your pet in the cargo department. Some airlines seem to take the position that they will not accept any pets in cargo during these months while others take a more flexible approach.
- Solution: Check with different airlines – some are more flexible with rules than others.
Choose a flight that leaves after dark and arrives early in the morning before the runway begins to heat up. If you talk with the airline they will likely take your pet in cargo on such a flight although “technically” their embargo is in effect. Or, use a different departure or arrival city where the weather may be cooler. You might have to drive 100 miles or more on departure or arrival to reach the airport, but this can be a solution.
INTERNATIONAL – For the most part International carriers do not have this restriction.
Cold Restriction:
- Pets cannot be accepted when the ground temperature is below 45 degrees Fahrenheit at any location on the itinerary UNLESS the pet has a veterinarian’s statement of low temperature acclimation.
The low temperature acclimation certificate/statement/form must include:
- name and address of the passenger
- name of the animal
- name and signature of licensed veterinarian
- veterinarian’s accreditation date and number
- temperature to which the animal is acclimated
When temperatures fall below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, pets may not be checked even with a statement of low temperature acclimation.
FOR CONTINENTAL AIRLINES:
In addition to the special care provided animals when they travel as cargo, Continental’s QUICKPAK service offers a shorter cut-off time and guaranteed, flight-specific service, based on the time of tender. Pets will also be available for pick-up within normal baggage recovery time.
Please contact the Continental Airlines Live Animal Desk (800.575.3335 or 281.553.5052) for current rates and pick-up/ drop locations.
Continental’s booking, handling and acceptance procedures apply The tender time for QUICKPAK service is one hour prior to flight Departure.
QUICKPAK animal shipments must be prepaid. Call the Continental Airlines Live Animal Desk at 800.575.3335 or 281.553.5052 for further details. See additional QUICKPAK information.
Procedures for Animal Shippers:
Continental handles all specialty shipments, especially pets, with the greatest care. We understand the special requirements of shipping animals, and we adhere to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations, as well as International Air Transport Association (IATA) regulations.
To further ensure the safety of animals when they travel on Continental, we require animal shippers to follow these guidelines:
For QUICKPAK service, pets must arrive at the QUICKPAK counter at least one hour prior to the scheduled flight’s departure time. For general air freight service and international flights, pets must arrive at Continental’s freight facility at least two hours prior to the flight’s scheduled departure time. Continental and the USDA require that your pet have a Health Certificate issued by a veterinarian dated within 10 days of travel for both the outbound and return trips.
Track a pet’s itinerary online or call the Continental Airlines Live Animal Desk at 800.575.3335 or 281.553.5052. Please have the shipment’s air waybill number available. Kennels and crates must conform to IATA and USDA regulations.
Continental Airlines supports the recommendation of the American Veterinarian Medical Association (AVMA) to not accept animals that have been sedated. Continental will not knowingly accept a dog or cat that has been sedated and accepts no liability for the death or sickness of an animal caused by any drug.
The Continental agent will use the Live Warm-Blooded Animal Acceptance at the time you tender your pet. Please feel free to print it out and utilize it in the preparation of your pet for shipping. Documents may require the Adobe Acrobat reader, available for free from Adobe for Windows, Macintosh, UNIX and other platforms.
If you have any questions about procedures, please call the Continental Airlines Live Animal Specialists at 1.800.575.3335 or 281.553.5052.”
