TRANSPORTATION OF DOGS AND CATS BY AIRCRAFT G. Sumner-Smith*
.):...:::::: b:.:.:
all regulations and I have been assured that it never happens. Obviously if it did occur, the animal would arrive at its destination dead. Large kennels containing giant dogs are strapped to the floor of the aircraft, whereas, smaller kennels are held in netting. It is the policy of airlines to load animals last and to remove them first in order that they do not spend prolonged time within the aircraft. Dogs and cats suitably crated are put on top of the luggage and each section is held in place with large nets. It appears, therefore, that although there may be some movement during the flight, it is the intention of the carrying agencies that no luggage may fall upon the crate carrying the animal. Nevertheless, the airlines do require that certain regulations are met regarding the type of container to be used and many of them do make available three different sizes of flight cages. These flight cages are suitable for most dogs except the giant breeds and the toy breeds. It is to be recommended that toy breeds and cats are put in containers with a suitable front door, instead of the open type of cage which is used for large animals. Giant dogs, of necessity, need a large wooden crate. The following suggestions as to internal dimensions are recommended: the length of dog from nose to root of tail, twice the width of the dog across the shoulders and the height of the dog in the standing position. In other words large dogs are transported in such a manner that they can turn around but are discouraged to do so. "Greyhounds are an ex*Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veter- ception and they should not be permitted to inary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, turn around in their container", consequently for these dogs, the cage is made narrower. Ontario NlG 2W1 164 CAN. VET. JOUR., vol. 17, no. 6, June, 1976
LAST YEAR the International Air Transport Association (IATA) published the fourth edition of the regulations for the transport of live animals! This brought up to date a number of suggestions and regulations for the transportation of animals from the Aardvark to the Zebu and is taken as the "Bible" by more than 200 airlines across the world. This article is intended to acquaint readers with some of these regulations that have been put into effect regarding the transportation of dogs and cats and to suggest some of the points that a clinician might put to a breeder or owner intending to send animals by air or to owners travelling with their pets. In passenger carrying aircraft, the space used for dogs and cats is to be found in the holds of the planes. The holds also carry the luggage but it is of course, essential that those into which animals are put are satisfactorily heated and pressurized. Some of the holds are not so treated. Consequently, regulations exist and are issued to the freight department of each airline, indicating which holds in particular aircraft are suitable for the carriage of pets. For example, the Boeing-747 carries live animals in the after hold, the 737 in one of the forward compartments. The Douglas DC-8 uses the second forward compartment for the transport of dogs and cats and other live animals of suitable size. Owners often inquire if the animal will be put in an unheated and unpressurized section of the aircraft. This is completely contrary to
TRANSPORTATION CP AIR BOEING 747 Operate on Transcontinental and International routes. Location of Cargo Comnpartments MAIN DECK BACCACE AREA
UPPER DECK]
.MAIN DECK,
MAIN CABIN
Co
C.ptdty Lbs 21.900 Voh,ne Cu. Ft. 1020
3
5
34,100
17,500
4 23,400
0630
1700
1020
1360
1000
2
FIGURE 1. Extract from CP Air cargo regulations showing the cargo areas of a Boeing-747. Dogs and cats are transported in number 5 hold.
Fiberglass, metal, rigid plastics and wicker work are all materials that are acceptable for the manufacture of suitable containers for dogs and cats. Regarding the design of the container, it is probably better to quote directly from the IATA regulations: "(a) wooden containers should be constructed with a strong plywood framework, with joints made so that the animal cannot claw or bite through the joints. (b) one end of the container shall be open and covered with bars, weld mesh or smooth expanded metal, secured to the container in a manner which will prevent the animal pulling the edges away from the frame. Entrance should be by means of a sliding or hinged door, adequately secured to prevent accidental opening. (c) the front opening provides the main ventilation entry which shall be supplemented by ventilation holes of approximately 2 cm diameter along the top third of the sides. The opposite end of the container shall have holes 2 cm covering this end from top to bottom. (d) the container shall be large enough to permit the animal to stand up and lie down without being in a cramped position." The regulations also clearly indicate the special label which should be affixed to all containers as well as the label which indicates the proper way in which the container is to be carried. I spent some time discussing the problem of transportation of pets with the manager of one of the national carriers and expressed some concern to him that an animal might be "bumped off" a flight either due to it missing a connection or more valuable cargo requiring to go in its place. I was satisfied with the reply that I got which indicated that although more 165
FIGURE 2. Loading into the hold of a Boeing737 aircraft which is primarily used on domestic routes.
valuable cargos might be available, the freight departments are aware of the necessity for the care of a live animal which might not be particularly valuable financially. The particular carrier in question indicated to me that all possible care was taken to prevent the animals from being exposed to excesses of heat and cold in the different seasons of the year and that they were always removed to a terminal warehouse between flights if it was not possible to transfer the animal immediately to another aircraft. It has been my experience that companies go to considerable trouble to advise people sending animals to our own Clinic as to the proper time that they should be made available at the airport of embarkation and we ourselves have a good liaison with the Company freight offices at the Malton International Airport who advise us as to the animal's arrival. The shipper is also told to phone or telegraph the flight number and arrival time. The following is a list of recommendations made by the airlines:
CANADIAN VETERINARY JOURNAL
1. Make a definite booking well in advance of the flight. 2. See your veterinarian in advance for a health certificate if one is required. 3. Discuss with your own veterinarian the question of tranquilization. 4. Puppies under six weeks of age should not be shipped. 5. Do not muzzle a pet as this may restrict the breathing. 6. Avoid shipping pets during holidays or vacation times. 7. If at all possible put the pet in the kennel yourself and remove it at the other end or have someone who knows the animal do it for you. 8. Permit the pet to become acquainted with the shipping kennel several days before the journey. 9. Do not feed the animal for six to 12 hours before the departure time, but water is acceptable. 10. On the way to the airport stop and allow the animal to exercise and relieve itself. 11. Be sure that you yourself personally notify the consignee of the flight arrangements which should include the time and flight number. It may not be realized that some airlines do permit the carriage of small pets such as toy
dogs and cats in suitable containers within the passenger section of the aircraft. Usually one animal is permitted in the cabin at a time and arrangements need to be made in advance. At no time is the animal allowed to be taken out of the container but this is probably preferable if you are travelling with a small animal to have it with you in the main cabin than have it in the hold of the aircraft. If an animal is to spend some time in an intermediate freight warehouse or is not to be collected for a few hours after its arrival, employees will not water the animal if in so doing it requires them to open the cage. Consequently, it is recommended that a plastic container should be properly affixed to the unit that possesses a trough which is on the outside and permits the container within the kennel to be filled. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The author wishes to acknowledge the ready assistance made available by the personnel of CP Air. REFERENCES
1. IATA. Live Animal Regulations. 4th Edition. Geneva: International Air Transport Association. 1975.
ANALYSE DE VOLUME/BOOK REVIEW Symposia Series in Immunobiological Stand- n'a pu etre mis en evidence chez le chien, 'a ardization. Volume 21. International Symposium on Rabies (II). Edited by R. H. Regamey, W. Hennessen, R. Lang, F. T. Perkins and R. Triau. Published by S. Karger AG, Basel, Switzerland. 1975. 132 pages. Price $41.00.
la suite d'immunisation avec le vaccin antirabique utilise seul ou associe a d'autres vaccins tels ceux contre la leptospirose, la maladie de Carre et l'hepatite infectieuse.
Les articles collig6s dans ce volume resument la somme des progres recents relatifs aux vaccins contre la rage, ainsi que les connaissances nouvelles sur le virus rabique. Bien entendu, ce volume s'adresse aux specialistes de la rage qui y trouveront un grand nombre de donnees importantes, meme si ce symposium a eu lieu 'a la fin de 1972. La plupart des articles traitent des vaccins antirabiques (culture cellulaire, efficacite et stabilite), tandis qu'un bon nombre d'autres s'interessent aux aspects epidemiologiques, immunologiques, pathologiques et morphologiques du virus de la rage. D'un interet plus pratique, sont les observations du Dr Terre (p. 213) demontrant qu'aucun phenomene de competition antig6nique 166
The papers presented in this book summarize the recent progress on rabies vaccines and newer knowledge on rabies virus. Most of the communications report on some aspects of rabies vaccines (cell culture, efficacy and stability). Some articles are concerned with various aspects of the rabies virus: epidemiology, immunology, pathology and morphology. The observations by Dr. Terre (p. 213) are of practical interest. He reports that in the dog, no antigenic competition phenomenon could be demonstrated after immunization with the antirabies vaccine alone or in association with other vaccines such as leptospira, distemper and infectious hepatitis. This book brings to the specialists on rabies a vast amount of Raymond S. Roy. important new data.
.):...:::::: b:.:.:
all regulations and I have been assured that it never happens. Obviously if it did occur, the animal would arrive at its destination dead. Large kennels containing giant dogs are strapped to the floor of the aircraft, whereas, smaller kennels are held in netting. It is the policy of airlines to load animals last and to remove them first in order that they do not spend prolonged time within the aircraft. Dogs and cats suitably crated are put on top of the luggage and each section is held in place with large nets. It appears, therefore, that although there may be some movement during the flight, it is the intention of the carrying agencies that no luggage may fall upon the crate carrying the animal. Nevertheless, the airlines do require that certain regulations are met regarding the type of container to be used and many of them do make available three different sizes of flight cages. These flight cages are suitable for most dogs except the giant breeds and the toy breeds. It is to be recommended that toy breeds and cats are put in containers with a suitable front door, instead of the open type of cage which is used for large animals. Giant dogs, of necessity, need a large wooden crate. The following suggestions as to internal dimensions are recommended: the length of dog from nose to root of tail, twice the width of the dog across the shoulders and the height of the dog in the standing position. In other words large dogs are transported in such a manner that they can turn around but are discouraged to do so. "Greyhounds are an ex*Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veter- ception and they should not be permitted to inary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, turn around in their container", consequently for these dogs, the cage is made narrower. Ontario NlG 2W1 164 CAN. VET. JOUR., vol. 17, no. 6, June, 1976
LAST YEAR the International Air Transport Association (IATA) published the fourth edition of the regulations for the transport of live animals! This brought up to date a number of suggestions and regulations for the transportation of animals from the Aardvark to the Zebu and is taken as the "Bible" by more than 200 airlines across the world. This article is intended to acquaint readers with some of these regulations that have been put into effect regarding the transportation of dogs and cats and to suggest some of the points that a clinician might put to a breeder or owner intending to send animals by air or to owners travelling with their pets. In passenger carrying aircraft, the space used for dogs and cats is to be found in the holds of the planes. The holds also carry the luggage but it is of course, essential that those into which animals are put are satisfactorily heated and pressurized. Some of the holds are not so treated. Consequently, regulations exist and are issued to the freight department of each airline, indicating which holds in particular aircraft are suitable for the carriage of pets. For example, the Boeing-747 carries live animals in the after hold, the 737 in one of the forward compartments. The Douglas DC-8 uses the second forward compartment for the transport of dogs and cats and other live animals of suitable size. Owners often inquire if the animal will be put in an unheated and unpressurized section of the aircraft. This is completely contrary to
TRANSPORTATION CP AIR BOEING 747 Operate on Transcontinental and International routes. Location of Cargo Comnpartments MAIN DECK BACCACE AREA
UPPER DECK]
.MAIN DECK,
MAIN CABIN
Co
C.ptdty Lbs 21.900 Voh,ne Cu. Ft. 1020
3
5
34,100
17,500
4 23,400
0630
1700
1020
1360
1000
2
FIGURE 1. Extract from CP Air cargo regulations showing the cargo areas of a Boeing-747. Dogs and cats are transported in number 5 hold.
Fiberglass, metal, rigid plastics and wicker work are all materials that are acceptable for the manufacture of suitable containers for dogs and cats. Regarding the design of the container, it is probably better to quote directly from the IATA regulations: "(a) wooden containers should be constructed with a strong plywood framework, with joints made so that the animal cannot claw or bite through the joints. (b) one end of the container shall be open and covered with bars, weld mesh or smooth expanded metal, secured to the container in a manner which will prevent the animal pulling the edges away from the frame. Entrance should be by means of a sliding or hinged door, adequately secured to prevent accidental opening. (c) the front opening provides the main ventilation entry which shall be supplemented by ventilation holes of approximately 2 cm diameter along the top third of the sides. The opposite end of the container shall have holes 2 cm covering this end from top to bottom. (d) the container shall be large enough to permit the animal to stand up and lie down without being in a cramped position." The regulations also clearly indicate the special label which should be affixed to all containers as well as the label which indicates the proper way in which the container is to be carried. I spent some time discussing the problem of transportation of pets with the manager of one of the national carriers and expressed some concern to him that an animal might be "bumped off" a flight either due to it missing a connection or more valuable cargo requiring to go in its place. I was satisfied with the reply that I got which indicated that although more 165
FIGURE 2. Loading into the hold of a Boeing737 aircraft which is primarily used on domestic routes.
valuable cargos might be available, the freight departments are aware of the necessity for the care of a live animal which might not be particularly valuable financially. The particular carrier in question indicated to me that all possible care was taken to prevent the animals from being exposed to excesses of heat and cold in the different seasons of the year and that they were always removed to a terminal warehouse between flights if it was not possible to transfer the animal immediately to another aircraft. It has been my experience that companies go to considerable trouble to advise people sending animals to our own Clinic as to the proper time that they should be made available at the airport of embarkation and we ourselves have a good liaison with the Company freight offices at the Malton International Airport who advise us as to the animal's arrival. The shipper is also told to phone or telegraph the flight number and arrival time. The following is a list of recommendations made by the airlines:
CANADIAN VETERINARY JOURNAL
1. Make a definite booking well in advance of the flight. 2. See your veterinarian in advance for a health certificate if one is required. 3. Discuss with your own veterinarian the question of tranquilization. 4. Puppies under six weeks of age should not be shipped. 5. Do not muzzle a pet as this may restrict the breathing. 6. Avoid shipping pets during holidays or vacation times. 7. If at all possible put the pet in the kennel yourself and remove it at the other end or have someone who knows the animal do it for you. 8. Permit the pet to become acquainted with the shipping kennel several days before the journey. 9. Do not feed the animal for six to 12 hours before the departure time, but water is acceptable. 10. On the way to the airport stop and allow the animal to exercise and relieve itself. 11. Be sure that you yourself personally notify the consignee of the flight arrangements which should include the time and flight number. It may not be realized that some airlines do permit the carriage of small pets such as toy
dogs and cats in suitable containers within the passenger section of the aircraft. Usually one animal is permitted in the cabin at a time and arrangements need to be made in advance. At no time is the animal allowed to be taken out of the container but this is probably preferable if you are travelling with a small animal to have it with you in the main cabin than have it in the hold of the aircraft. If an animal is to spend some time in an intermediate freight warehouse or is not to be collected for a few hours after its arrival, employees will not water the animal if in so doing it requires them to open the cage. Consequently, it is recommended that a plastic container should be properly affixed to the unit that possesses a trough which is on the outside and permits the container within the kennel to be filled. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The author wishes to acknowledge the ready assistance made available by the personnel of CP Air. REFERENCES
1. IATA. Live Animal Regulations. 4th Edition. Geneva: International Air Transport Association. 1975.
ANALYSE DE VOLUME/BOOK REVIEW Symposia Series in Immunobiological Stand- n'a pu etre mis en evidence chez le chien, 'a ardization. Volume 21. International Symposium on Rabies (II). Edited by R. H. Regamey, W. Hennessen, R. Lang, F. T. Perkins and R. Triau. Published by S. Karger AG, Basel, Switzerland. 1975. 132 pages. Price $41.00.
la suite d'immunisation avec le vaccin antirabique utilise seul ou associe a d'autres vaccins tels ceux contre la leptospirose, la maladie de Carre et l'hepatite infectieuse.
Les articles collig6s dans ce volume resument la somme des progres recents relatifs aux vaccins contre la rage, ainsi que les connaissances nouvelles sur le virus rabique. Bien entendu, ce volume s'adresse aux specialistes de la rage qui y trouveront un grand nombre de donnees importantes, meme si ce symposium a eu lieu 'a la fin de 1972. La plupart des articles traitent des vaccins antirabiques (culture cellulaire, efficacite et stabilite), tandis qu'un bon nombre d'autres s'interessent aux aspects epidemiologiques, immunologiques, pathologiques et morphologiques du virus de la rage. D'un interet plus pratique, sont les observations du Dr Terre (p. 213) demontrant qu'aucun phenomene de competition antig6nique 166
The papers presented in this book summarize the recent progress on rabies vaccines and newer knowledge on rabies virus. Most of the communications report on some aspects of rabies vaccines (cell culture, efficacy and stability). Some articles are concerned with various aspects of the rabies virus: epidemiology, immunology, pathology and morphology. The observations by Dr. Terre (p. 213) are of practical interest. He reports that in the dog, no antigenic competition phenomenon could be demonstrated after immunization with the antirabies vaccine alone or in association with other vaccines such as leptospira, distemper and infectious hepatitis. This book brings to the specialists on rabies a vast amount of Raymond S. Roy. important new data.
