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