Airlines must soon report animal casualties...

from aol news:

http://aolsvc.news.aol.com/news/article.adp?id=20050603133509990004







" Starting June 15, airlines must report how many pets are killed, lost or injured on their flights.

The government estimates 2 million animals fly commercially every year. Many airlines allow small pets to travel in portable kennels under seats, where the owners are responsible for their safety. Larger pets travel in cargo holds, where they can be exposed to extreme heat or cold and loud noises from plane engines.

Nobody knows how many pets are killed or injured. Lisa Weisberg, spokeswoman for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, suggested 1 percent, which would mean 20,000 animals per year. The airlines say that's far too high."

That's terrifying! I just assumed that the airlines would already have to report that data! Can you imagine if they didn't report on human deaths and/or casualties?!?!

Yeah....as if I weren't already worried enough!!! The link goes on to mention a woman whose cat died in cargo.

Sadly, I've heard about this before, and several years ago I read an article about how people are led into believing that animals traveling in the cargo area are pefectly safe. 

It seems that in reality the airlines cannot guarantee proper temperature and atmospheric conditions in the holds.   I've never had to travel with an animal by air, but should I ever need to take my cat with me on a plane in the future, he will ride with me in the passenger section or we will not go. 

It seems that in reality the airlines cannot guarantee proper temperature and atmospheric conditions in the holds.   I've never had to travel with an animal by air, but should I ever need to take my cat with me on a plane in the future, he will ride with me in the passenger section or we will not go. 

I'm not sure about that, Paul. Of course there are going to be horror stories, but I think that for the most part, it is safe. Like many others on this site, I brought my pet over from the US in cargo (not permitted to travel in the passenger section). I don't think people should be discouraged from bringing their beloved family cats and dogs over here.

No doubt the majority of journeys are completed successfully, but I would still be concerned about the possible conditions on route.   Even though animals might recover from uncomfortable temperatures, it's still not something I would be prepared to risk subjecting them to. 

I recall reading some years ago that different airlines' policies varied widely, from very accommodating of requests for pets to travel with their owner to a "no pets in the cabin under any circumstances" attitude.   What current policies are, I have no idea.

As far as I know, no pets are allowed in the cabin on international routes on any airlines.

That's right, Snupy. Also, many airlines won't transport pets from certain areas during the hottest times of the year.

It will be nice to have some concrete information finally.  My wife an I bought our French Spaniel in France 4 years ago and flew him over, and we were freaked out for the entire 8 hour flight.  We're moving to Aberdeen in October, and will probably bring our little buddy with us in December.  Does anybody have any advice about good airlines as far as dog's go? 

Okay, I am freaking out. I have heard these horror stories before but now it may become a reality for me. I am bringing my older dog with me when I move to England  in August. I have thought long and hard about this, but I must bring her with me and am doing the Pet Scheme thing. The airline that sounds like they are the most compassionate and responsible seems to be British Airlines. But, who knows? I wish she could come to the cabin with me. I would pay for a ticket----but no, the Pet scheme requires cargo "shipment."

Why can't the airlines realize how important our pets are?

I believe we flew our puppy back on continental, but I'm not sure.  You'll want to talk on the phone with like the cargo department and make sure to ask them if the area where the dog will be is pressurized and climate controlled.  I think a lot of problems occur when it is actually very hot or cold outside and the pets are waiting to get on the actual airplane.

One reason, all 3 of the airlines that I have a choice of flying will not transport pets if the receiving airport has a temperature of above 95F on the tarmac! (When is it not 95 there? LOL j/k) I'm ultimately trying to get to Las Vegas- and we are closing on our house in 45 days. Me thinks, we'll have to get creative in our entry airport......and drive the rest of the way.

The airline that sounds like they are the most compassionate and responsible seems to be British Airlines. But, who knows? I wish she could come to the cabin with me. I would pay for a ticket----but no, the Pet scheme requires cargo "shipment."

I flew my cat over on BA and had no problems. It's hard not to worry, but I'm sure you'll be fine.

Like I  posted earlier-BA says they have only had 3 total casualties(although that seems unbelievably low, considering the # of flights). The woman at Ba World Cargo in Chicago also told me that 2/3 of their flights in a given week have pets in cargo.

I have no choice, actually..as American just lost their approved status.

BA also has temp-controlled transport vans, so time of year doesn't matter, which is nice.

BA also has temp-controlled transport vans, so time of year doesn't matter, which is nice.

I would still be cautious about time of year. I ended up re-homing my beloved cat as I couldn't afford the hefty price tag to get her over here ( :\\\'( ) but I did a ton of research before deciding and it's not so much getting the animal from the plane to the cargo area but rather any delays that happen once the plane lands and before it gets to the gate. I've rarely been on any US flight to Heathrow that didn't have to sit on the tarmac for a while before getting to it's gate and it's apparently that lag time when the hold can get very hot or very cold. So I would still try to make a considered choice of time-of-year when bringing pets over. But then I'm also overly paranoid.