CDC amps animal import enforcement

The Centers for Disease Control has detected a recent spike in improperly vaccinated dogs imported into the U.S. from countries with actively spreading or controlled rabies infection. Worldwide, most cases of human rabies are caused by rabies-infected dogs. The CDC has asked commercial airlines to help contain inadequately vaccinated dogs before they enter the country. The CDC has more information about rabies vaccination for pets.

Avoid holiday pet scams

Amid the Turkey Day sales and Black Friday blockbusters, don't forget that reputable breeders do NOT sell cheap pets online. Reputable rescue agencies do NOT require payments online. Protect yourself and learn how to avoid being duped by online pet scammers.

Air Animal supports Rotary cause

Air Animal supported Tampa Interbay Rotary Club's Cycling Out Autism fundraiser. The $25,000 proceeds went to autism research and treatment at University of South Florida Center for Autism & Related Disabilities and the Applied Behavior Analysis Program. Learn more. 

Delta stops accepting pets as checked baggage

With ever changing rules and regulations such as Delta's new Pet Policy, Air Animal can keep your pet move running smoothly. Learn more about Delta's decision.

Happy 1st Anniversary to Lowry Park Zoo's Veterinary Hospital

Congratulations to Lowry Park Zoo on making it a great first year for their new veterinary hospital. They've helped over 800 animals including 300 species. Great job! You can read the full article here: http://www.tbo.com/news/from-koalas-to-crocs-lowry-park-animal-hospital-treats-300-species-in-first-year-20151108/.

Lufthansa Strike Ends At Midnight Tonight

The Lufthansa Union strike ends at midnight tonight, November 13, 2015 for passenger flights to and from Frankfurt, Munich and Dusseldorf. Lufthansa will resume all passenger flights. For more information, please visit: http://www.lufthansa.com/us/en/Travel-information.

Pet Microchips

Hands down, microchipping is one of the best ways to protect your pet.

A microchip is inserted by your veterinarian using a sterile, preloaded applicator. There’s no anesthesia. Even better, the only maintenance is registering the chip and keeping your address up to date by logging onto an online database using your private password.

When you microchip your pet, ask for an International Standards Organization (ISO-compatible) chip. If you relocate your pet outside the U.S., an ISO microchip or tattooing is required. Air Animal strongly recommends ISO chips for all pet relocations—even those inside the U.S.—as an extra layer of protection for your precious pet.

Once inserted, owners must complete the registration with the chip manufacturer listing service. Pet microchips are not GPS tracking devices. They are permanent IDs that can’t fall off or be removed. When cats are microchipped the return-to-owner rate is 20 times higher, according to a study reported by HomeAgain.com.

Dr. Walter Woolf, Air Animal founder and president, explained why microchips are important. “Air Animal was scheduled to move a black Labrador to Australia. The boarding kennel brought the dog to the vet for the second round of blood work before the move. The vet called us and told us the dog didn’t have a microchip. We asked the kennel to bring the other black lab they boarded to the vet for examination. The kennel had mistakenly switched the dogs.”

How they work
Microchips use RFID technology. Scanning the chip reveals your pet’s unique ID number and the chip maker. When the number is called into the chip maker, the microchip service contacts the owners. That is why it’s vital to keep your contact information up-to-date with the microchip service. Collars and tags, especially rabies tags, are still important. Pet tracing using the rabies tag numbers is possible but not after hours or on weekends when veterinary offices or animal control offices are closed. Chip services are open 24 hours, every day of the year.

“We are believers. That is why we provide microchips for every corporate pet transport and our private pet shipping clients at no charge,” Woolf added.

Air Animal featured in Lufthansa’s Planet Magazine

When Lufthansa launched its premium pet moving service one year ago, Air Animal was one of four internationally respected pet shippers selected to participate in the pilot. We were thrilled when Lufthansa’s Planet editor called this summer to interview Air Animal’s founder, Dr. Walter Woolf.

“Our vision is reuniting pets with their relocating pet parents. When we use Lufthansa’s Live/td Premium, the pets get to stretch their legs in Lufthansa’s pet transit lounge in Frankfurt. Lufthansa’s staff takes a photo of the pet and sends it to Air Animal. We send it on to our client. Seeing that photo enroute really reassures and delights our clients,” Woolf said.

Read the story online

Dr. Walter Woolf, Air Animal and
Rita Boregas, Lufthansa sales and handling manager

Air Animal joins PAIMA

Air Animal Pet Movers was introduced as one of 15 new members of Pan American International Movers Association at the organization's 2015 San Diego conference. 

Licenses are now required before Singapore moves

Beginning Jan. 1, 2016, Singapore will require all dog owners to purchase an approved dog license before applying for an import permit. To apply for dog licenses, owners must have a Singapore residential address. Commercial addresses such as hotels and offices may not be used for this purpose. The issued license must then be attached as on of the supporting documents on the import permit application.

Our pet moving specialists are pet owners themselves. They know all the ever-changing requirements of the destinations they manage. Our specialists create a custom itinerary that details every step for each animal move.

You're never more than a phone call or email away from someone who knows exactly what is needed to safely fly your pet to another location. We helped Baylie's pet parent move her happy boxer from Tennessee to Singapore earlier this year.

Our apologies! Our phone issue has been resolved

Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience you may have experienced over the last several days with our phone system. The issue has been resolved.

Best man is man's best friend

Great story about service dogs for service members. Air Animal is honored to sponsor Havana Nights benefiting Paws for Patriots and Southeastern Guide Dogs tonight hosted by J.C. Newman Cigar Factory in Ybor City. 

"A service dog was the best man a a veteren's wedding and these 5 photos are the absolute best."