Prepare your pet for flying

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DEAR PAW’S CORNER: My family is taking a vacation to Orlando in three months, and we want to take our Bichon Frise, Arabelle, with us. She is a small-medium size dog. Can we take her aboard the plane as an emotional support animal, or do we have to pay? – Carol in Minneapolis

DEAR CAROL: You’ll have to pay for Arabelle to accompany you on the aircraft, and I recommend you book as soon as possible. Airlines offer limited space for small and medium size pets to ride in the passenger cabin with you.

Since a 2020 ruling by the Department of Transportation, only trained dogs that perform specific tasks to aid a person with a disability can be classified as service dogs. Most airlines no longer allow emotional support animals, as they are not considered service animals.

Here are some important tips for traveling by air with your pet:

• Book as early as possible to reserve a space for your pet to travel in the cabin.
• Expect to pay between $100 and $200 for pet accommodation on your flight.
• Your pet must be well-behaved and responsive to your commands; cabin crew can ask you to deplane if your pet does not behave.
• Smaller pets should be kept in a carrier. They should be able to stand, turn around and lie down inside the carrier.
• Visit the veterinarian for a pre-travel checkup, and make sure your pet is up to date with all vaccinations, especially rabies. Airlines won’t allow unvaccinated pets to fly.Exercise and feed your pet before leaving for the airport.
• Arrive early. Running late can stress you and your pet.

Get more tips at the AARP’s website, tinyurl.com/3ex23uw9.

Have you flown with a pet? How did it go? Tell me about it at ask@pawscorner.com..

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