United Suspends Pet Moves

(Mar. 20, 2018)--United Airlines today stopped taking new reservations for its PetSafe Air Cargo service. United will honor all existing reservations and will assist passengers who wish to cancel their bookings. The suspension does not affect pets booked to fly in cabin.

According to United’s PetSafe website, the airline is conducting a “systematic review” of the program and making improvements. They expect to complete the review by May 1, 2018.

Air Animal and its experienced pet movers stand ready to assist pet owners selecting alternate pet transportation options. Ask us for a quote.

Air Animal Recommends Canine Flu Vaccine Before Travel

(March 15, 2018) – The Ides of March are not being kind to pet owners relocating or traveling to New Zealand with their dogs. The island country’s import protocol takes 4 to 7-months. This week, New Zealand began refusing dogs unless the import documents prove Fluffy has been vaccinated for canine influenza.

Penny and Bella move to New
Zealand from Minneapolis, MN

Air Animal urges all pet owners to vaccinate their dogs against canine influenza before 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.

Happy Chinese New Year!

It’s the Year of the Dog

The dog is the 11th of 12 Chinese Zodiac symbols. In Chinese culture, your zodiac sign can be used to determine your fortune for the year, marriage compatibility, career fit, best times to have a baby and more. Ancient Chinese legend holds that the Jade Emperor decreed the earthly calendar would be represented by 12 animals, and he ordered the beasts and birds of the world come to a party at the palace. The first dozen animals to arrive became the Chinese Zodiac.

Our cover girl is Missy, a Chinese crested who moved across the U.S.  She's now a California blonde.

Nearly a New Year’s Ball Drop

A few weeks ago a young man walked into our Tampa office asking to ship his pet from Tampa to Dubai via Paris the next day with a Monday arrival. Well that Monday happened to be New Year’s Day. No way, Jose!

He’d worked on this move for months on his own without realizing that on worldwide holidays passenger airline connections can be undependable. Airlines also often cancel or limit live animal shipments during busy holiday travel times. Our international pet move manager explained everything. With Air Animal’s help, our new client traveled to the UAE as scheduled. His pet stayed with a friend in Tampa and boarded a flight from Tampa to Dubai connecting through Frankfurt the following week. Do it yourself snafu solved.

Our pet movers know the drill. They keep track of holidays, regulations, local customs and details so you don’t have to. Pet Moving Made Easy®. It’s our passion, our focus and your peace of mind.

Photo courtesy of Lufthansa

Woolf Featured in Pet Care Pro Quarterly

It's great receiving recognition as, "The Man Who Makes Dogs Fly." from Pet Care Pro Quarterly, published by the International Boarding & Pet Services Association.

Dr. Woolf shares the power of saying yes, knowing your purpose and mining the data. Being at the right place, at the right time and having the right attitude helps, too.

<READ THE ARTICLE> beginning on page 8.

Air Animal EVP Named to Tennessee Relocation Board

Andrea Woolf Parker, executive vice president of Air Animal Inc., has been elected to the board of the Tennessee Relocation Council where she will oversee sponsorships.

Andi works closely with Air Animal’s corporate relocation clients, and is a graduate of the University of Florida. She is a past president of the Southeastern Regional Relocation Council. Air Animal serves pet parents moving across the U.S. or around the world and provides U.S. Customs clearance for pets entering the U.S. through any major gateway. Learn more about Andi.

Delta, Others Change Emotional Support Animal Rules

Delta, United and American airlines are implementing new rules for emotional-support animals.

Delta's policy 
United's policy
American's policy

The airlines and passengers complain poorly training and uncertified support animals increasingly disrupt flights. The animals misbehave, wander the cabin, defecate and sometimes bite passengers.

On Delta, passengers must provide a veterinary health form or vaccination record for either both service and emotional support animals. For comfort animals and psychiatric-service animals, passengers must also provide:

• A letter signed by a doctor or licensed mental-health professional stating the passenger’s need for the animal.
• A signed letter stating the animal is trained to behave without a kennel.

“This new policy is our first step in better protecting those who fly with Delta with a more thoughtful screening process,” said John Laughter, Delta’s senior vice president for corporate safety, security and compliance.