Hitting the road or the sky with our four-legged friends

An AAP report says that tearing yourself away from four-legged friends can be one of the hardest tasks for a traveler, however, a well-planned trip can ensure that man’s best friend can also become a globetrotter.

International travel requires pets to be quarantined for a minimum of four weeks depending on the route and the country you are visiting, but for domestic travel in Australia, there is no lock down process so pets can kick back and start holidaying as early as their owners.

Airlines must be made aware of the intent to travel with pets as early as possible and on the big day, all animals are required to arrive at the airport for check in one and a half hours before take-off.

Animal transport experts, Jet Pets and Animal Transports, offer services that can take the stress out of the experience, with Sales and Marketing Manager for the Jet Pets, Scott Williams saying the no-fuss approach they offer makes travelling with pets easier than ever before.

Jet pets will collect pets and take them to check-in at the airport allowing other family members to arrive at their own pace and for $A77 ($NZ86) each leg of the journey, Jet Pets will also gather the pet from destination and reunite them with their owners.  The same can be done on the return journey.

If owners are arriving on a different flight a consignment note can be arranged so the animal can be taken to boarding accommodation.

Having 16 years experience in pet travel, Mr Williams says in many cases animals arrive less distressed than their owners, adding, “The animals travel under the economy section of the aircraft, it is the same conditions as above so the animals are comfortable.”

Jet Pets transport 15,000 pets a year from guinea pigs to giraffes and they have no alignment with any particular airline so will aim to fit with individual travel arrangements.

“We aim to take the hassle and the stress out of it,” Mr Williams says.

The comfort of the travelling pet is priority for airlines Qantas and Virgin and dogs and cats must be confined within a secure pet cage, appropriate for the size of the animal and lined to prevent spillage.

For a standard price of $A50 Jet Pets will hire out comfortable travelling enclosures for all creatures great and small.

On Qantas flights, small and medium sized pet packs can be considered under the allowable baggage weight if they are travelling on the same flight as the owner.

Virgin Blue, on the other hand, requires pet-loving passengers to pay a fee depending on the weight of the animal, with small pets acquiring a charge of $A55, medium size is $A97.90 and for pets over 31kg it’s $A101.20 plus $A3.30 per kilo over that.

Airline regulations differ across the world so it is essential to do research, with a case in point, Japan Airlines is restricting French and English Bulldogs taking flights because of their sensitivity to temperature and humidity.  This marks the importance of covering all health bases for animals.

RSPCA resident vet Dr Mark Westman says one of the crucial elements for pet travellers is planning in advance, saying, “If you know you are going to be travelling soon it isn’t wise to get a new puppy”.   Pets under eight weeks old are not permitted to fly and, on the same token, geriatric pets should get a thorough examination before jet setting.

Specific vaccinations are required for animals who are travelling internationally and your local vet should be consulted to ensure all bases are covered.

Dr Westman has suggestions for making the flight as relaxing as possible for pets including, “Pad the pet cage with familiar bedding and scents, like a shirt belonging to the owner, make sure they have access to water at all times and don’t give them too much to eat before boarding the plane.”  “For animals prone to anxiety sedation may be required to take an edge off the stress.”  “Consult your vet if this is the case.”

Once touching down, pet friendly accommodation is becoming increasingly popular as the relationship between adopted members of the family is recognised with The Hughendon in Woollahra, Sydney one hotel that takes pets and Sydney’s Observatory Hotel offering five star accommodation to VIPs, that is, Very Important Pooches, with Director of Marketing and Communication at the Observatory Max Rodella saying the offer is all part of the hotel’s philosophy.

“We sell experiences (to our guests),” Mr Rodella says. “We always try to satisfy our customer’s requests.”   There is a $A50 daily surcharge to allow for the additional cleaning and pets must not exceed the 20kg limit.  In return, the Observatory culinary team has created a gourmet pet menu with such delicacies as Woof Woof – Japanese style Neko Man Ma (Miso soup, Rice, Bento Flakes, Grilled Fish) and Meow Meow – Grilled Salmon with Green beans, Quail Egg, Tuna, Potatoes and Olives for $20 per meal.

For pet-free families who are craving a companion the resident fish at the Observatory, Basil and Cybil, can be lent out to fulfil your needs.

Check online for accommodation options around the world.

With a few phone calls and some extra planning, there is no need to say good-bye to those puppy dog eyes again.

Report by The Mole