FLYING WITH OUR CATS. HOW TO DO
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It may happen that you have to travel or go on vacation with our 4-legged friend using the plane. In order not to find ourselves unprepared and stuck at the airport on the day of our departure, it is good to know some fundamental rules to be able to board our friend without surprises, unexpected events and problems.
SUGGESTIONS BEFORE THE TRIP
- Get used to the carrier already 10 days before departure.
- Give him regular drinks before departure in small quantities
- Feed him up to 6 hours before departure and make sure he has enough food for the trip
- Consult your veterinarian to decide whether or not you need to administer any tranquilizers
- Consult the veterinarian before departure and submit the animal for a thorough examination. The animal must not show signs of physical fatigue and must not be injured.
- The bottom of the carrier can be covered with a blanket, newsprint or other absorbent material. Straw is prohibited.
- Remember to put at least one bowl in the carrier (if the airline allows it) for the comfort of your pet during the journey. The bowl must be empty, secured and accessible without opening the carrier.
IMPORTANT:
- Cats under 3 months of age, therefore not yet subjected to the rabies vaccine, cannot travel to Europe
- Oestrus and pregnant cats cannot travel.
- Check for any provisions or restrictions of the country you are traveling to at the Embassy, Consulate or by consulting the IATA Travel Information Manual
- The UK and Ireland are not allowed to carry animals
- The international animal health certificate (CZI) is required to transport cats to BRAZIL
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED TO BOARD:
- To travel to the EU, cats must be equipped with:
A) Microchip:
From 1 January 2005 it is mandatory to insert the microchip under the skin for all cats born after this date.
B) Passport:
Since 1 October 2004 it is compulsory for all pets. To obtain the passport it is necessary that the cat already has the microchip and is registered in the veterinary registry of the local ASL.
C) Has carried out the rabies vaccination.
D) Veterinarian's certificate attesting to good health
E) Has dewormed 48-72 hours before departure
Everything must be reported in the passport and certified by the veterinarian in question.
The passport can be requested after 21 days from the anti-rabies vaccination and has a three-year expiry.
- To travel in the national territory dogs and cats must be equipped with:
A) Health Card
B) Microchip
C) Registration in the veterinary registry of the area ASL.
D) Veterinarian's certificate attesting to good health
THE AIRLINES
Since not all airlines accept pets on board, it is good to inquire about which one to choose and before booking the plane ticket, make sure that there is room for our beloved cat on the chosen flight. Each aircraft has few spaces available in the cabin and in the hold for animals to travel.
It is necessary to purchase a supplement to the ticket which varies according to the weight, transport in the cabin or in the hold and the departure and destination airports.
Each airline has its own regulations regarding animals on board. It has its own methods with which to transport them (size and type of pet carrier, the number of animals accepted in the flight, the permitted weight, etc.). It is important to know that the maximum dimensions that can be embarked vary both from company to company and according to the aircraft used in the flight.
The pet carrier must have the measures established by the chosen airline and allow the animal to be comfortable, standing, crouched and must give the baby the opportunity to turn on itself. It must be waterproof, well ventilated, resistant (to protect the animal and not run the risk of breaking in the event of a collision), it must have a door equipped with an excellent safety closure (to prevent it from accidentally opening, endangering the cat).
The standard dimensions of the largest carrier for traveling in the aircraft cabin are: 46 x 25 x 31 cm and the weight of our friend varies between 6-10 kg including the carrier, depending on the airline.
Within a container 3 to 5 animals of the same breed can travel as long as they do not exceed the weight specified by the airline.
We contact the airline and ask for the precise rules to be able to board our cat with us in the cabin (weight and size of the carrier and of our cat, correct type of carrier used and all the necessary documents).
I always recommend taking him with us in the cabin, to make him feel more serene and peaceful in our presence and (in my opinion) safer. It happened that airport operators made the cats escape by breaking the pet carrier.
We can also decide to purchase the pet carrier approved by the chosen airline.
Bring containers for food and water to be administered to the animal.
Ask the employee if the containers can be attached.
Stay as close as possible to your pet if it has to travel in the hold.
It is important to call the airline, reserve a seat for our 4-legged friend and ask for the precise rules to be able to board our cat with us in the cabin.
THE CABIN TRIP
Tips for traveling with your feline in the cabin
1) Avoid disturbing other passengers in order not to raise unpleasant discussions
2) If the flight is long, don't let him lack water and food
If these conditions are not respected or if the animal disturbs the passengers, the captain of the flight can have it transferred to the hold.
TRAVEL IN THE HOLD
- The hold must be: pressurized, heated and illuminated for the safety and health of the animals
traveling within it
- Some companies do not take sedated cats on board (only soothing drops are allowed, in any case always get well informed)
- Some companies do not ship brachycephalic cats (with flattened snouts), which in any case need more space in the carrier to be able to breathe.
- Always also inform the crew about the presence of your pet.
- In the event of a stopover, do not neglect a comfort "visit" and provide him with the necessary care
It is absolutely not recommended to have an elderly animal or animal with particular pathologies travel in the hold. For both travel situations, before leaving, ask the veterinarian for advice, possibly also to contain any discomfort related to air sickness.
Now we are ready to go! Have a good trip to all of us and our beloved travel companions !!!
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