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