Story highlights C.D.C. has lifted the ban on dog travel with large mugs
The restriction is not specified for breed or species, only the alcohol content in the snouts
Traveling with a pet? Now might be a good time to be able to bring your pooch along with you, if you can get through the seemingly constant dog-related issues airlines have to contend with.
In October 2017, on the heels of a petition asking airlines to open their doors to carrying pets, Air Canada announced that it would allow “happy and healthy” dogs, cats and rabbits on aircraft. The perks extended to the airline’s Polaris and Business Class passengers. But such a small shift hasn’t been enough to meet demand. Nor has it satisfied pet owners’ need to keep up with the latest pets-on- planes trend. In January, Delta announced it would also open its arms to the pets carrying-on to its domestic service and charter fleet.
That means owners who wanted to bring their pups aboard using any one of its premium cabin codes (conferred upon in August 2017, though this was removed in March) wouldn’t need to wonder if their dog’s teeth will be clean enough to require stain removal at boarding.
This new change is good news, but it isn’t big enough to stop the animal travel bans that have popped up in recent years, and how airlines have handled them. When last year’s petition went viral, some even tried to convince Air Canada to cease such policies. Alas, it wasn’t to be.
Now another airline has decided to ease the regulations on dog travel, albeit slightly. C.D.C. has offered its own alternatives to airline owners. Instead of the aforementioned restrictions on dog size and needs, C.D.C. has taken things a step further by urging that dogs and their owners alike be reminded of the alcohol content in the mugs of its pet carrying-on boards.
In its new policy, C.D.C. writes that the “constant and negative animal travel debate” has become a public health risk. According to the company, it will remind pet owners on its Delta flights if their dogs bring enough alcohol to spill in the overhead compartment. That in itself should soften anyone’s opinion on the rule at the risk of animal travelers’ safety.
Of course, pet owners should continue to mind how their animals may react to being transported in their seats. In October 2017, a 5-month-old female puppy passed out on an Alaska Airlines flight bound for Los Angeles, KGW reports.
Earlier that year, an El Faro dog died from heat stroke after passing out in the baggage compartment of a Texas-bound Continental Airlines flight, CNN reports. The circumstances of that case have yet to be explained.
What’s more, pet owners should never ship their dogs on flights in cargo. The tiny little creatures could be suffocated if placed in the cargo hold.
If you’re looking to do your part and carry your dog on your next trip, don’t forget to head to the Transportation Security Administration’s pet-friendly list and check out their Pets Traveling with You program. It offers free shipping services to meet your pet’s needs, and recommendations on where your pet can rest their head when traveling.