Pet shipping

2 million domestic animals board commercial flights each year. Domesticated pets have been selectively bred and genetically adapted to live alongside humans, which include dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, mice and hamsters. [2] Dogs and cats are the most popular types of pets that are shipped. From the total amount of pets shipped via aeroplane each year 58% are dogs and 22% are cats.[3]

Pet shipping has increased in the 21st century. Contributing factors to this rise include the global increase of pet ownership and the high-cost associated with pet care. Australia has the highest rate of pet ownership in the world where approximately 61% of households own a pet, with 40% being dogs and 27% being cats.[4]

Pet shipping is found both beneficial for owners and businesses, as some people will not travel without their pets and airlines therefore receive more demand to fly with them. 37% of owners have opted against travelling to stay at home with their dog, as 9 out of 10 households consider their dog part of the family.[5]

The Department of Transport's annual report states over half a million pets flew in 2016 and of these, 26 died and 22 were injured. A third of these deaths occurred on United airlines. The common causes of animal death during pet shipping are excessively hot or cold temperatures, poor ventilation and rough handling, according to the Humane Society.[6]

The International Air Transport Association is the trade association for the world's airlines, covering 93% of scheduled international flights. It sets the minimum standards for the transportation of live animals worldwide under the ‘Live Animal Regulation’.[7] This provides practices for humane treatment of animals, up-to-date government laws and documentation requirements for pet shipping.

Plastic Travel Pet Carrier, Labelled

Pets are transported within a carrier that meets the International Air Transport Association standards, ensuring safety throughout travel.[15] The International Air Transport Association requires the carrier to be large enough for the animal to sit, stand and lie comfortably within it, with a solid floor base. Fourteen percent of the floor and walls must be open to allow adequate ventilation and airflow, with shelter for protection.[16] Handles are required for the crate to be carried, a label (with the owner's details) for identification, an arrow (indicating the way it should be placed and carried), and food and water bowls for long journeys. The International Air Transport Association recommends getting the pet accustomed to the space before departure to reduce frightened behavior caused by the foreign enclosed environment.

Breed Specific Legislation are rules and regulations that place restrictions on breeds from being imported into a country. 52 countries have some form of breed-specific legislation, restricting animals due to legal presumption that they are dangerous or vicious.

Pets can be shipped as carry-on baggage, checked baggage or in the cargo of an aeroplane.[19] If the animal is small enough to fit under the passenger seat in an airline-compliant carrier (such as kittens, rabbits and Maltese shit-zu dogs) some airlines allow the pet in the cabin of the plane as carry-on baggage. Larger dogs (such as a full grown Labrador) and cats are flown as checked baggage in the climate controlled sections of the cargo hold.

Alternatively, pets can be shipped via ground transport. Platforms like CitizenShipper[20] help owners find professional pet transporters for a small fee. Ground transport is generally considered a safer option than air travel due to decreased stress on the animal.[21] Ground transport also carries fewer risks and restrictions and is more convenient for pet owners and breeders.[22]

All required paperwork is provided by the owner at check-in. They are then placed in a pet carrier that is approved by the International Air Transport Association and relocated to a separate baggage handling area specifically for animals. Animals are the last of the baggage to board the plane, to reduce the amount of time in the confined space.[23] Baggage handlers strap animal crates in place and wrap them with perforated air cushion rolls. Cargo hold size and conditions depend on the airline and type of plane the pet is being flown in. For most planes, the baggage area is directly below the passenger cabins. To meet restrictions set by the ‘Animal Welfare Act’, airlines do not travel in extreme hot or cold temperatures to avoid increasing health risks. Pets remain in the carrier and are not accessed by cabin crew throughout the duration of the flight.[24] When the flight arrives at the destination, ground staff ensure pets are unloaded as soon as possible after landing.

Quarantine is a process where the pet remains isolated in a quarantine facility to prevent the spread of infectious disease in the local destination. This process is required for strict rabies-free countries such as Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. For Australia, all pets must be imported into Melbourne and quarantined in the post entry facility for a minimum of 10 days.[29] An extension of the quarantine period is necessary when biosecurity risks are increased, such as finding a tick on the pet. All quarantine processes must be approved by International Pet and Animal Transport Association pet agents before release.[30] North America, South America, Europe and Asia do not require quarantine periods.

Quarantine Animal Shelter

United Airlines has recorded the highest animal death rate from 2015–2017, responsible for 75% of all the deaths in 2017, data kept by the United States Department of Transportation. This high death rate may be associated with their acceptance of brachycephalic breeds, which other airline carriers do not allow due to the increased risk. In 2018, for instance, a 10-month year old bulldog died on United airlines flight as a flight attendant placed the carrier in the cabin overhead compartment.

United Airlines accepts brachycephalic breeds as they believe pet owners rely on United to ship their pets and without the airline taking this risk they would have to sell their animals.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals urges all airlines to prohibit companion animals from being flown as checked baggage due to the confusion, noise, extreme temperatures and improper pressurisation of the cargo holds during travel.

Contracts that govern the shipment of pets have been improved by stating all of the risks associated with pet shipping, ensuring owners understand the serious procedure involved. The ‘Safe Air Travel for Animals Act’ was introduced in 1999 by Sen. Frank Lautenberg and Rep. Robert Menendez.[31] The act requires US airlines to report monthly on any animal death, injury or loss, allowing pet owners to compare the safety records of airlines.

‘Pet Airways’ was the first pet-only airline, established in 2009, which transported unaccompanied pets in the cabin area of the plane.[32] Attention is refocused on the pets, reducing the potential risks of live animal shipping by cargo. The company ceased operations in 2011.

Several airlines have changed the way the animal carriers are moved. Removal of the live animal cargo from the routine baggage handling reduces rough handling, decreases the possibility of animal escape and limits the pet exposure to temperature variations.[33]

• Pet passport
• Pet
• Pet travel