Dogs don't need to travel first class to make it from Point A to B.
Dog may be man's best friend, but that doesn't mean it has to travel in first class. Shipping a pet is one way to transport Fido over long stretches of land quickly and safely. Whether you're a breeder who needs to ship a pooch from Portland, Oregon, to Tampa, Florida, or a family on the move, transporting a dog via airplane may be your best option.
Among various such providers is American Airlines' cargo shipping unit, American Airlines Cargo, and its expedient delivery option, Priority Parcel Service (PPS). PPS is used to transport dogs and kennels up to a combined 100 lbs. within the United States. Kennels cannot exceed 90 inches combined width, height and length. Selecting this method, and meeting the rigid safety requirements, will have your doggy airborne in no time.
Instructions
1. Check to make sure your kennel meets PPS's guidelines. Although alternatives may be accepted, you might have the best luck with using a metal or plastic kennel that is both leak- and escape-proof with a welded or cast metal door that can be securely fastened. It must be spacious enough for the animal to stand, sit and lie down. It must contain separate food and water dishes, have adequate ventilation, not be collapsible, and include your contact information, the animal's food and watering instructions, directional markings for the upright position and the words "live animal" written in 1-inch-high letters. Kennels may be purchased at select PPS locations from between $45 and $80 at the time of publication, or standard kennel sizes 100, 200, 300 and 400 may be used.
2. Make travel arrangements for your dog. Bookings won't be made more than three days in advance, but PPS recommends planning ahead by using its Animal Shipping Request form or by calling 800-227-4622 if you need to ship the animal within 72 hours. To schedule an advance booking, you must have the origin and destination cities, your shipping dates, animal breed, kennel size, combined animal and kennel weight and the complete contact information of both you and the receiver. Only certain facilities allow for advance bookings, including John F. Kennedy Airport in New York City, Los Angeles and Seattle.
3. Drop off your dog at an airport ticket counter or PPS facility at least one hour before departure, but no more than four hours beforehand. If using an airport cargo terminal, drop off the dog no later than two hours, but not more than four hours, prior to departure.
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