The Safe Air Travel for Animals Act
GOAL:  Fewer Pet Peeves

Traveling pets are getting as common as rolling luggage, and the estimated half-million jet-setters among them soon should be assured of better treatment than your garment bag, thanks to new legislation that recently cleared Congress.

The FAA Reauthorization Bill (HR 1000), which includes provisions adopted from a bill that was called the Safe Air Travel for Animals Act, requires airlines to improve employees' training in handling animals and to report the loss, injury or death of any pets entrusted into their care.  The reported incidents will, for the first time, be made available to the public just like on-time records and lost-baggage statistics.

"This is a stunning win for animals that must travel by air as well as for consumers who travel with their companion animals," said Nancy Blaney of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (A.S.P.C.A.) when the bill won congressional approval.

"Pets have been left on freezing cold and searing hot tarmacs; they have been abandoned overnight on luggage carts; baggage has fallen on them, baggage carts have been driven over them," the society said.  Pets have also died from lack of air or excessive heat or cold in the cargo hold - which the Safe Air Travel for Animals Act would have addressed with climate-control requirements, which were dropped from the final bill along with a provision for increased liability for incidents involving animals, according to the society.

When pets arrive at their destinations, they are also getting a warmer reception from mainstream lodgings eager to win the hearts of their doting owners.

"Finding a dog-friendly hotel has become much easier in the five years we've had our dog - they all used to be run by the equivalent of Norman bates," said Vicki Kung, co-founder of Dogpark.com (dogpark.com), which lists, among other things, places where travelers can let their pets run off-leash.

"More people feel a vacation without the dog is not a complete vacation, and dogs as members of the family, are much more accepted," she said.  "I even know of a few places that prefer dogs to children in terms of behavior."

Pets certainly are pampered as much - with special menus that would make a human drool, bottled water to discourage traveler's tummy, designer beds and toys, frequent-guest perks and canine personal services from a mundane walk around the block to aromatherapy sessions and massage.  Dogpark.com even will arrange a six-night, off-season vacation in chien-loving Paris for the pet who has everything - who flies there with you in the passenger cabin of the Concorde.  The trip costs $30,000 for two humans and one dog and includes several gifts such as a Deluxe Dog-on-the-Go Kit featuring Pupperware, Dish-a-Go-Go...you get the idea.

Numerous books and several web sites offer advice on traveling safely and considerately with pets.  At petswelcome.com, you'll find pet-friendly accommodations from campgrounds to B&B's and ski resorts in the United States, Canada and France, as well as pet-sitters and emergency veterinarians in America and pet policies of major airlines, including circumstances under which they're permitted to fly in the cabin.

SOURCE:  The Orlando Sentinel, Sunday April 9, 2000 by Barbara Shea - Newsday

Delta's Monthly Calendar  l  More of Delta  l  Delta's Friends  l  Top "20" Breeds
About Breeds  l  Travel With Your Pet  l  Pet Link Directory l Submit Pet Photos
E-mail Delta  l  Rescue/Adoption  l  Let Us Design Your Pet Site
Home

NOTE: Hopefully the information on this web site is interesting and helpful, but it is all unofficial--no company or organization has endorsed any of the content. As for accuracy, companies come and go, policies change, hours of operation change, prices change, and errors and omissions are possible.

Site Design & Marketing By :  3clx