Air Animal Announces Holiday Office Schedule

So that our employees may celebrate Christmas and New Year's with their families we will be closed on the following dates:

Tuesday, Dec. 24--closing at 1 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 25--closed
Tuesday, Dec. 31--closing at 3 p.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 1--closed

We wish warmth and joy for everyone celebrating Hannukka Dec. 22 through Dec. 30 and those celebrating Kwanzaa beginning Dec. 26.

If you need to reach your pet move manager because pet is relocating on any of these dates, please contact them using their cell number listed in your pet move documents.

Don’t Tranquilize Pets on the Move Advises Air Animal Veterinarian

Air Animal advises pet parents not to dose their pets with tranquilizers before a pet move. Tranquilizers affect pets differently than they affect people and the outcome may be unpredictable, says Dr. Walter M. Woolf, Air Animal’s veterinarian owner.

“In pets, tranquilizers dilate the veins and arteries slowing blood flow. They depress breathing. And, they reduce the natural ability to regulate body temperature. All of those responses can cause medical problems during transport. Our pets can’t complain, but they may act frightened or may become aggressive when tranquilized,” he said.

Air Animal recommends asking a veterinarian about a DAP collar for dogs or Feliway cat pheromones. DAP collars and Feliway can help pets in a range of stressful situations: air travel, settling into new homes, fireworks, Christmas, new baby and staying home alone. They may also help prevent or reduce stress-related inappropriate behaviors including excessive barking, destruction/clawing/chewing, house soiling, pacing, trembling, salivating. Re-training may be required to eliminate unwanted behavior. DAP is not usually recommended for hyperactive or aggressive pets.

Thundershirts, another type of calming device, cannot be used on board aircraft. Airlines have prohibited them because they may constrict the pet’s chest and lungs and cause breathing problems during flight.

“We don’t recommend using CDB treats, oils or THC-derivatives either. They can also muddle hearing, vision and balance,” Woolf added.

Moving is stressful enough. Pet moving made easy® is our focus, our passion and our promise.

Leon, Shetland Sheepdog, New Jersey to Switzerland

Know Before You Go: International Pet Quarantine

“No quarantine for pets entering the UK.” Sounds fantastic! Yet there is a myriad of details to attend to before Fido, the kitty, or the ferret, are ready to leave for their flight to the United Kingdom. Air Animal warns that many often countries change rules. Pet import rules for the UK may change during and after Brexit. The best way to avoid unnecessary quarantine and delays for pet relocation is to work with an expert pet transportation service such as Air Animal Pet Movers. They know the airlines to use and the rules about moving pets anywhere in the world.

The most challenging locations are islands and island countries because most do not have rabies in their animal populations. For example, moving a pet to Australia  requires a six-month lead time along with a very specific veterinary protocol. There is a 10-day quarantine after arrival in Melbourne, Australia.

Veterinarians agree that pets handle the various quarantine periods with surprisingly good outcomes—probably because they do not have a sense of time. Dedicated animal care professionals at the various quarantine stations around the world take their jobs seriously and care for pets in a proper, conscientious, responsible and professional manner. Pet owners are required to pay fees to the facility for quarantine services. Sorry! No visiting during quarantine.

The attached table details common destinations, the length of quarantine and preparation timelines as of November 2019.

When contacting a pet transportation company, ask if they have an international pet health certificate program which makes it simple for local veterinarians to certify their relocating patients. Ask if they offer VIP door-to-door service and other service levels such as custom travel kennels that meet family relocation budgets. Learn more from “Eight Steps for Choosing a Pet Mover” from the Air Animal Pet Movers YouTube channel. The channel contains lots of helpful information about moving pets. Subscribers receive updates about new videos.

Moving is stressful enough. Pet Moving Made Easy® is our focus, our passion and our promise.

Robinette Named COO of Air Animal Pet Movers

(Tampa, FL—Oct. 8, 2019) Cory Baizan Robinette, has been promoted to chief operating officer at Air Animal Inc. following an exemplary 30-year career with increasing responsibility for business operations as Air Animal flourished. 

Robinette’s expertise in international corporate pet moves and all other aspects of the business led to the appointment, according to Walter M. Woolf, VMD, Air Animal founder and CEO. “Cory’s leadership in the management of the global pet move process for expatriate pet owners has earned her high marks and consistent 5-star Google reviews over the years. Her experience with all aspects of our business will be an asset to our executive team,” he said.

Robinette excelled at a variety of roles including veterinary hospital receptionist before Woolf opened Air Animal in 1977 as one of only six pet movers in the world. Today, the industry association has 440 members and a suite of useful animal safety regulations which Woolf and Robinette helped create.

“The fact that we’re moving family members is always top of mind for our entire Air Animal team. Controlling the logistics and the communication between all the parties is especially important for corporate international moves because the regulations for importing pets to some countries can be daunting,” Robinette said. She’s also been instrumental training staff. “All of our team members have built very strong project management skills because moving is stressful enough for our clients. They trust us to know everything there is to know about relocating Rex to Australia. We make sure all the moving parts mesh so Rex has a pleasant experience from the first veterinary visit to the day he leaves quarantine in Melbourne.

“I really love watching a colleague’s face when a move goes well. I also love watching when something doesn’t go quite as expected and they’re actively brainstorming alternatives learned as we worked together. We are always ready with plans A, B, and sometimes C because moving pets involves travel and commercial airlines,” she says.

More clients are returning to Air Animal for corporate pet moves every two to four years. “Corporations are moving their talent around the globe in this global economy. Air Animal is filling a key role for these companies because they want their employees to be happy and successful,” Robinette added.

Robinette was named “Outstanding Service Provider of the Year” in 2014 by the International Pet and Animal Transportation Association where she currently serves as a board director-at-large. She will work closely with the Air Animal executive team under Woolf’s leadership as CEO.

KNOWAtlanta Relocation Magazine Features Air Animal

Thanks a million, KNOWAtlanta Relocation Guide for the shout out in their Oct. 1, 2019 post about moving pets to Atlanta. Our tails are wagging!

Hurricane Dorian will affect air and air cargo in Southeastern U.S.

You may have heard…we’re expecting Dorian will visit Florida Monday and maybe Tuesday. While we will be closed for Labor Day on Monday, Dorian will affect air and air cargo travel in the southeastern United States. We plan to re-open Tuesday. Here at Air Animal we’re hoping Dorian doesn’t stay long. If you have questions about a move in progress, please contact your pet move manager using the mobile number listed in your pet move documents. Thank you in advance for your patience if our response is somewhat delayed early next week.

Air Animal Combats the Top 10 Pet Moving Myths with the Top 10 Pet Moving Facts

About 30 years ago, Air Animal Pet Movers published their first “Top 10 Pet Moving Myths and Facts.” They continue to update the list each year because it’s the right thing to do. Air Animal is one of five founders of the pet moving industry. Its owners consulted with air carriers and the federal government to write the rules that now protect pet safety while traveling.

The 2019 Top 10 Pet Moving Myths vs. Facts are:

Myth #1 --  Passenger airlines transporting pets do not have pressurized air cargo holds.

Fact #1 ---  Air cargo compartments are pressurized the same as the passenger compartments on airlines.

Myth #2 --  Pet moving by air during the summer is hazardous to pets.

Fact #2 ---  Summer pet relocation is safe, reliable and humane because airlines that accept pets use air-conditioned vehicles to move pets from one aircraft to another and many airports now have pet lounges. The lounges accommodate pets traveling internationally. They need a break just like their pet parents.

Myth #3 --  Airlines accept all dog and cat breeds as cabin baggage, accompanied baggage and air cargo.

Fact #3---  Mushy-faced breeds (brachycephalic) may relocate by air when temperatures are 80 degrees Fahrenheit (26 degrees Celsius) or below at both the departure and arrival airports. Airlines have also prohibited specific breeds.

Myth #4 --  All pets must be given tranquilizers when moved on airlines-both as baggage or as air cargo.

Fact #4---  Tranquilized or sedated animals are prohibited by passenger airlines.

Myth #5 --  Britain requires six months of mandatory quarantine when pets relocate to the UK.

Fact #5---  There is no quarantine provided you follow the UK protocol: microchip, rabies vaccination and international health certificate. See our resource pages for UK  and EU protocols.

Myth #6 --  Parrots and other birds only need a health certificate to move from one country to another.

Fact #6---  All parrots and some birds on the U.S. Endangered Species List must have a CITESexport or import permit to leave or enter the U.S. Occasionally blood tests are required before the move.

Myth #7 --  Pets entering the U.S. must be quarantined.

Fact #7 --  Only horses, livestock and birds are quarantined when entering the United States.

Myth #8 --  There are no breed restrictions for pets flying on U.S. passenger airlines.

Fact #8 ---  Passenger airlines may choose to refuse transport to breeds which have known breathing issues or other problems.

Myth #9 --  Every pet going into the European Union countries needs a 15-digit microchip.

Fact #9---  Air Animal recommends a 15-digit ISO chips such as AVID or Home Again for pets traveling to the UK and the EU.

Myth #10 --  Only one vet visit is required to get the microchip, rabies vaccination, and the International Health Certificate for relocation to the EU.

Fact #10---  Relocating pets to the EU  will take at least two vet visits for cats and three visits for dogs because dogs must have a parasite treatment.

Ole and Teddy moved from Germany to the UK with Air Animal. They're British shorthair cats.

Copyright 2019, Air Animal Inc. All rights reserved.

Pet Birds Require CITES Permits for International Relocation

Air Animal Pet Movers relocates family pets. They advise that owners of birds, specialty and pocket pets plan well in advance before moving because their precious pets may require a special Convention on International Trade in EndangeredSpecies of Wild Fauna and Flora permit.

CITES is a voluntary international conservation agreement signed by 183 countries including the United States. The convention ensures that international trade does not harm the 35,000 endangered and protected species on the list.

According to CITES, “trade is diverse, ranging from live animals and plants to a vast array of wildlife products derived from them, including food products, exotic leather goods, wooden musical instruments, timber, tourist curios and medicines. Levels of exploitation of some animal and plant species are high and the trade in them, together with other factors, such as habitat loss, is capable of heavily depleting their populations and even bringing some species close to extinction.”

“For example, if you own a cockatoo or a gecko, you will have to have a CITES permit,” said Dr. Walter M. Woolf, veterinarian and founder of Air Animal. There are many rules, regulations and exceptions in the CITES agreement. Every step must be followed to the letter. Each country has a CITES Management Agency responsible for issuing permits. In the United States, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the managing agency.

“Our pet move managers know exactly how to obtain CITES permits. We’ve relocated thousands of specialty pets. If the client wishes we can prepare the CITES documents as well as the health certificate documents and coordinate the move,” Woolf said.

The number of species on the CITES list often varies as countries request changes. All changes are ratified by all the members. As of August 1, 2019, there are 921 mammals, 1,472 birds, 902 reptiles and 162 amphibians on the CITES list.

“Our goal is to de-stress family moves and corporate relocations. We take on the complex details involved in moving pets across the country and around the world. Pet Moving Made Easy^® is our focus, our passion and our promise,” Woolf added.

Quantas, a female blue and gold macaw, moved with Air Animal

Airlines Rejecting Digitally Signed Pet Health Certificates

Air Animal® Pet Movers advises anyone traveling with their pet use caution when obtaining a pet health certificate. Delta, United, American, Hawaiian and Alaskan airlines are turning away passengers traveling with their pets using electronic pet health certificates. The airlines are requiring health certificates with a seal and the original veterinarian signature. The travelers had to re-book their trips and obtain new health certificates at considerable trouble and expense.

Air Animal offers global health certificate consultation and document preparation services in addition to full-service pet relocations. All health certificates provided by Air Animal have original veterinary signatures.

In Tampa Bay, Air Animal’s experienced veterinarian completes all the complicated USDA forms in the office and sends them to the USDA. Elsewhere in the U.S., Air Animal completes the forms and overnights them to a client’s chosen USDA-accredited veterinarian. Generally, a pet health certificate exam takes less than one hour.

Health certificates for U.S. moves are good for 10 days from the date issued. Owners should call ahead 14 days to allow for processing and scheduling their veterinary visit. International health certificates are generally valid for 10 days--sometimes less--depending on the destination country. Plan ahead 21 days for international pet health certificates. For some countries, an additional veterinary visit shortly before flight is required.

Air Animal pet move managers are available to walk veterinary practice staff through the process by phone for mutual clients. Air Animal accepts pet health certificate clients from anywhere in the United States.

Hawaii and Guam have also recently updated rules and regulations for pets moving to these island paradises. We've posted the updates on our resource page.

Moving Pets Can Increase Corporate Relocation Success Rates

ECA’s 2018 Permanent Transfer Survey finds that nearly 40 percent of international transfers lasting more than one year are permanent. That means there is no commitment for employees to return to their home countries.

The 2018 Mobility Outlook Survey by AIRINC concludes that 54 percent of companies anticipate increased demand for cross-border mobility.

Reviewing the corporate relocation policy landscape for “Mobility Magazine” (Sept. 2018), Susan Krupka McCune, CRP, GMS, director of global account management at SIRVA Worldwide Relocation & Moving, and Ish Bajwa, VP human resources-global mobility, Capital Group concluded that existing policies are being replaced. The new programs retain baseline consistency while allowing flexibility based on employee situations and preferences. Technology will make these programs a reality, they said.

Permitting employees to choose pet relocation as part of their flexible benefit can close the deal. According to Pam Buchanan, GMS, Lexicon Relocation, about 50 percent of companies offer pet relocation benefits. Some companies cap the benefit but more and more are moving to lump-sum or managed-cap programs.

Ivana Gibson, GMS described the programs this way:

• Lump-sum programs offer employees a specific amount of money upfront to cover move costs. Employees manage the moves themselves or may choose to work with a recommended relocation company.

• Managed-cap programs limit the amount that can be spent per relocation and may set caps for specific expenses such as temporary housing. These programs are usually managed by a relocation company which coordinates the move and recommends suppliers.

Adding Pets to the Move Mix

Air Animal has assisted over 50,000 families move their 100,000 furry, feathered and scaly pets all over the world. Fully 60 percent are corporate relocations.

“We work with employees and employers offering full-service moves, lump-sum, managed-cap moves and military permanent change of station moves every day,” said Walter M. Woolf, VMD, founder and CEO of Air Animal. Woolf said more companies offer flexible plans that allow employees to choose an experienced pet mover that knows how to handle the rules and regulations from origin to destination.

“Pets are members of the family. They’re important to an employee’s happiness and state of mind,” he adds. As proof, Woolf points to the increase in pet super stores, online pet stores, and pet service businesses. Making pet parents and their owners happy is now a billion-dollar business in the United States. It’s growing around the world as well.

“Air Animal works with the major relocation firms which represent international corporations. We work hard to earn their trust and referrals. Those relationships assure transferees that our services have been thoroughly vetted. We’ve found that corporate transferees who choose Air Animal are focused on their new jobs and challenges because they are confident their precious pets’ moves will go smoothly,” Woolf explained.

Air Animal is an appointed and endorsed International Air Transport Association air cargo sales agency working with all airlines that move animals. Air Animal is an Indirect Air Carrier cleared for pickup and delivery of live animals by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration. Recent relocations included dogs, cats, a quarter horse, a turtle and several guinea pigs.

Air Animal offers three service levels to meet every corporate transferee budget. VIP door-to-door is the most popular level for busy corporate employees managing a move and a new assignment. Costs for U.S. VIP pet moves for dogs and cats under 20 pounds start at $1995 and VIP international moves begin at $2895. This service includes residential pickup and delivery, airport terminal services, commercial airline cargo charges, and domestic health certificate review or international health certificate preparation.

Pet relocation and shipping costs vary depending upon the species, breed, number of pets, the pet's physical weight, the flight kennel in which the pet flies, the origin, the destination, pre-flight requirements, air transport charges, and in-transit care charges. For international pet relocations, estimated costs also include customs entry procedures, veterinary inspections, in-transit care, boarding or quarantine if required, and the specific requirements of the destination country. In some countries destination air cargo firms may charge additional fees for animal handling that are not included in Air Animal’s estimates.

Air Animal’s new mobile and desktop app also de-stresses corporate relocations exclusively for Air Animal clients. The app puts the pet move in the palm of their hands:

• Microchip info

• Vaccination records

• Veterinarian info

• Health certificate copies

• Pet move itinerary

• Flight tracking

• Pet photo ID

“Pet Moving Made Easy® is our passion, our focus and our promise to companies and their corporate transferees,” Woolf said.

411 on International Pet Health Certificates

International pet health certificates are required entry documents for all pets traveling outside the U.S. Most countries including the European Union, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates require U.S. Department of Agriculture export endorsement. Here’s how the process works.

Pet owners make appointments with USDA-accredited veterinarians who examine the pets. The veterinarian verifies the microchip in the pet and logs the number on the paperwork. The veterinarian signs the documents and sends the paperwork to the USDA for endorsement. Microchips must always be present before rabies vaccinations when they are required by the destination. If the pet does not have a microchip, the veterinarian can insert an International Standards Organization-compatible microchip appropriate for the destination. If rabies re-vaccination is required, travel will be delayed.

International health certificates are generally valid for 10 days - sometimes less - depending on the destination country. Please plan ahead at least 30 days for international pet health certificates, processing and scheduling veterinary visits. For some countries, an additional veterinary visit shortly before flight is required.

These four basic steps must be followed in order:

1. Microchip the pet for identification purposes
2. Certify a current rabies vaccination. If the pet enters the UK or EU with a current 3-year rabies vaccination which is more than one year old, then additional documentation will be required.
3. At least 21 days after the most recent rabies vaccination, book an appointment with a USDA-accredited veterinarian to issue an international pet health certificate. The veterinary appointment for the international health certificate must be within the time frame required by the destination.
4. USDA export endorsement.

Health certificates for U.S. moves are good for 10 days from the date issued.

For Pets on the Move®, Air Animal offers global health certificate services in addition to full-service pet relocations. In Tampa Bay, experienced veterinarians complete all the complicated USDA forms right in their office and overnight them to the USDA. Elsewhere in the U.S., Air Animal completes the forms and overnights them to the client’s chosen USDA-accredited veterinarian. The service includes an overnight envelop to ship signed paperwork to the USDA for export endorsement.

Air Animal’s experienced move managers are available to walk veterinary practice staff through the process and timelines by phone for our mutual clients. Air Animal is pleased to accept health certificate clients from all over the United States.

Learn more about country requirements for importing pets at airanimal.com.

Pet Owners Are Experiencing Pick-up Delays at Heathrow

(Feb. 7, 2019)—Recent administrative changes relating to pet entry are causing release delays at London Heathrow. Pets are being held longer than we have previously experienced. Our United Kingdom service partners have advised that more changes may occur with Britain’s exit from the European Union. We’ll post updates to this blog as we learn of the changes.

Learn more about relocating to the UK with your pet. Did you know the UK requires pets be included in the TOR of household goods?

British Airways Cargo Accepting Pets TPA to LGW

British Airways now accepts pet cargo shipments from Tampa International Airport to London Gatwick Airport providing the departure time temperatures are under 85 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Air Animal clients may also use our Orlando office and fly on one of two daily flights direct from Orlando International Airport (MCO) to Gatwick (LGW).

If you book and the temperature climbs, Air Animal founder, Dr. Walter Woolf advises, "All hiccups can be managed with enough creativity and experience. That's why Pet Moving Made Easy® is our motto."

If you are planning a pet move from west coast or central Florida to the UK, please plan ahead and call us early. <READ MORE>

Air Animal Recommends Canine Flu Vaccine Before Relocation or Travel

Several countries now refuse dogs unless the import documents prove Fluffy has been vaccinated for canine influenza. Air Animal urges all pet owners to vaccinate their dogs against canine influenza before relocation or travel of any kind.

"Dog flu is easily prevented by visiting your veterinarian for two doses of the canine flu vaccine,” said Dr. Walter Woolf, VMD, Air Animal's veterinarian founder. “The first vaccination provides partial immunity. The second vaccination given about two weeks later is a booster which gives stronger protection."

According to Woolf, New Zealand and other countries now requiring dog flu vaccination usually accept a recent booster shot if the documents show full previous immunization and the booster administration date.

There are two types of canine influenza vaccines. Ask your veterinarian which she recommends.

• Zoetis – Vanguard CIV H3N2/H3N8 – 2 vaccinations, 3 weeks apart. Considered fully vaccinated 7 days after the second shot.
• Merck – Nobivac CIV H3N2/H3N8 – 2 vaccinations, 2 weeks apart. Considered fully vaccinated 14 days after the second shot.

Flu in dogs is potentially dangerous and a very communicable respiratory disease. Dogs that come down with the flu develop fevers and coughs that last one to three weeks. You may notice decreased appetite, lethargy and a greenish discharge from the nose and eyes. Some dogs develop higher fevers and pneumonia. Severe flu cases can cause death.

If you’re traveling with your dog--especially to an overseas destination--this ounce of prevention really is better than a pound of cure.

Learn more about country requirements for importing pets at airanimal.com.

USDA Processing Pet Health Certificates During Shutdown

(Tampa, FL--Jan. 8, 2019)--The U.S. Department of Agriculture continues to endorse international pet health certificates for export even though many federal workers have been furloughed by the federal government shutdown. Appointments are required at their regional offices. Please consult the USDA for locations.

If you're traveling overseas with your pet, please discuss the health certificate timing with your veterinarian. Air Animal offers global pet health certificate services in addition to full-service pet relocations. In Tampa Bay, our experienced veterinarian completes all the complicated USDA forms right in our office and takes care of sending them to the USDA. Elsewhere in the U.S., we complete the forms and overnight them to your chosen USDA-accredited veterinarian. <LEARN MORE>