About a fifth of the puppies leaving Gleneden each year reach their new homes via air transport.
They are part of the more than two million pets and other live animals that are flown by the airlines each year in the United States.
As frequent shippers, we make every effort to ensure a safe, stress free journey by following a careful preflight procedure of preparing the puppy for shipping and then placing it in the hands of an airline that it knows will carefully monitor the well being of its canine passenger.
Many airline cargo departments employ specialists in the movement of animals and animals must always be shipped in pressurized holds. Each of the major airlines has its own company policy for the proper handling of the animals they transport.
For example, Continental Airlines has:
*Dedicated 24-hour Live Animal Desk
*Confirmed booking prior to departure
*Weather conditions constantly monitored at all points
*The ability to track and trace the animal from its origin to its destination
*Personal handling in climate-controlled vehicles for connections over Continental's hubs when the animal will be exposed to temperatures above 85 degrees for more than 45 minutes.
Other airlines of merit we frequent are Delta Airlines American, Northwest, and United Airlines.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture enforces the Federal Animal Welfare Act. Here are several of the more important requirements that must be followed:
*Dogs must be at least eight weeks old and must have been weaned for at least five days.
*Cages and other shipping containers must meet the minimum standard for size, ventilation, strength, sanitation and design for safe handling. (kennels furnished by GlenEden meet these requirements).
*Dogs must not be brought to the airline for shipping more than four hours before departure. (Six hours is permitted if shipping arrangements are made in advance).
If puppies less than 16 weeks of age are in transit more than 12 hours, food and water must be provided. Written instructions for food and water must accompany all animals shipped regardless of the scheduled time in transit.
*Animals may not be exposed to temperatures less than 45F unless they are accompanied by a certificate signed by a veterinarian stating that they are acclimated to lower temperatures.
*Animals cannot be shipped COD unless the shipper guarantees the return freight should the animals be refused at destination.
The airlines require health certificates from shippers. A licensed veterinarian examines GlenEden animals prior to shipment and issues a certificate stating that the puppy is in good health.
It might be noted that pets may be transported on some airline flights as baggage if accompanied on the same flight to the same destination. Air carriers impose a special fee charge for this service.
The passenger is not be permitted to take pet out of crate for the entire flight and a soft sided carrier must fit under the seat. The size limit for an animal to travel in the cabin is typically around 12 pounds. A health certificate is required for boarding.
For clients in the Middle Atlantic and Northeastern states Gleneden can sometimes offer doorstep delivery by auto. This chauffeured service can operate even when temperature extremes and other conditions preclude air shipping.
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