Take Action: Animals Flown as Cargo Get a First-Class Upgrade

Tuesday, August 14, 2012 - 11:15am
Cat In Carrier

Guest blog written by Deborah Dubow Press, ASPCA Regulatory Affairs Manager.

We frequently hear tragic news stories involving animals traveling in airplane cargo holds, and it’s no wonder—these animals are exposed to lots of dangers in transit. They can be left on the tarmac in the hottest summer months, transported in unsafe carriers that do not meet humane standards, or be carelessly lost in the shuffle of air cargo traffic.

Currently, the Department of Transportation (DOT) requires airlines to report the losses, injuries and deaths of pets only. Reporting requirements exclude commercial shipments of animals—like a batch of puppies heading from a breeder to a pet store. This means that there are many appalling incidents the public never hears about. 

The DOT Responds
A new rule proposed by the DOT could lead to greater transparency by airlines and help give people a clearer picture of the risks involved in transporting animals as cargo. The new rule would require airlines to report incidents involving commercially shipped cats and dogs, as well as more than double the number of airlines required to report incidents.  

While the proposed rule is better than the one in place now, it still has room for improvement. For instance, it doesn’t cover all animals transported as part of a commercial air shipment—only dogs and cats. 

Take Action!
The Department of Transportation is accepting comments until August 28. Please tell them that all animals deserve to be protected during air transport while being shipped as cargo. In your comments, please include the following:

  • You support the DOT’s decision to extend coverage to all dogs and cats.
  • Reporting requirements are essential to inform consumers about the risks associated with transporting animals by air, and people deserve this information so they can make informed decisions about traveling safely with their pets.
  • You want the rule to extend reporting requirements to all animals shipped commercially, not just dogs and cats.

Go to regulations.gov to submit comments directly to the DOT.

Tags: 
Animal Cruelty
Take Action

Comments

Tue, 08/14/2012 - 15:43 — Michael Lawrence (Visitor)
Increase standards

Tue, 08/14/2012 - 15:45 — Harriet Kaufman (Visitor)
Pets are not cargo. They are family. Please upgrade your flying conditions. Thank you.

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 21:11 — Patrick Amori (Visitor)
Please ensure that pets do not die in transit an8d increase your safety standars!

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 21:30 — lisa hill (Visitor)
I tell u what lets put some of the so called CEO S in s box and treat them like cargo..a little see how they like it!!!!!!! This is why I DO NOT FLY WITH MY BESTFRIENDS! !!!!!

Sat, 08/18/2012 - 18:19 — Rosemary Graf (Visitor)
Pets that fly with their owners should be taken care like their owners, maybe even better.

Tue, 08/14/2012 - 15:45 — Amber Beatty (Visitor)
This *is* a matter of life and death here. Accountability isn't an unreasonable expectation.

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 12:29 — Gillian Kenyon (Visitor)
Animals should be treated like a child while traveling, attended to.

Sat, 08/18/2012 - 18:20 — Rosemary Graf (Visitor)
Pets are part the flyers family & should be treated like children.

Sun, 08/19/2012 - 21:50 — Ms. Calianno (Visitor)
I do not believe any animals, especially dogs and cats flying and in the cargo area should be treated in the manner that they are now. If is is to continue a special certain area should be assigned with REGULATED AIR/HEAT FLOW (as in the passenger area), ENOUGH LIGHTING and also to have there carriers SECURED AND LOCKED in place. This is the only human treatment and would avoid having animals die in this terrorizing and cruel way.

Sun, 08/19/2012 - 21:56 — Ms. Calianno (Visitor)
I do not believe any animals, especially dogs and cats flying and put in the cargo area should be treated in the manner that they are now. If is is to continue a special certain area should be assigned with REGULATED AIR/HEAT FLOW (as in the passenger area), ENOUGH LIGHTING and also to have there carriers SECURED AND LOCKED in place. This is the only human treatment and would avoid having animals die in this terrorizing and cruel way.

Tue, 08/14/2012 - 15:45 — Sarah Samaco (Visitor)
I wouldn't ship my hermit crab in cargo..let alone my dog. People are careless with your pets when you aren't looking. NEVER trust strangers to treat your pet the way you expect them to be treated. If my pet needed cargo checked..I'd drive to the location instead of flying.

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 14:05 — Valerie Tisdel (Visitor)
Wouldn't have helped me get from Hawai'i to california with my three cats.

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 15:51 — Judy O'Brien (Visitor)
I couldn't agree with you anymore. I would NEVER put one of my dogs on a plane. I would definately drive.

Tue, 08/14/2012 - 15:46 — Samantha (Visitor)
If our luggage is poorly cared for, why should we subject our beloved pets to this negligence?

Tue, 08/14/2012 - 15:46 — Beth Famiglietti (Visitor)
I would fly so much more if I was more confident in my pet's safety.

Tue, 08/14/2012 - 15:47 — Kristen Rolfes (Visitor)
All animals deserve to be protected while being shipped as cargo during air transport. I support the DOT's decision to extend coverage to all dogs and cats. Reporting requirements are essential to inform consumers about the risks associated with transporting animals by air, and people deserve this information so they can make informed decisions about traveling safely with their pets. I want this rule to extend reporting requirements to all animals shipped commercially, not just dogs and cats.

Tue, 08/14/2012 - 15:48 — Teresa Whelpley (Visitor)
DOT-OST-2010-0211-0008 I totally support the DOT’s decision to extend coverage to all dogs and cats. Reporting requirements are essential to inform consumers about the risks associated with transporting animals by air, and people deserve this information so they can make informed decisions about traveling safely with their pets. I would also like the rule to extend reporting requirements to all animals shipped commercially, not just dogs and cats. Thank you Teresa Whelpley

Tue, 08/14/2012 - 15:49 — Julie Swift (Visitor)
Animals are pets, beloved members of families. They need to be treated as such. Please upgrade your standards for these family members.

Tue, 08/14/2012 - 15:49 — Dori (Visitor)
Pets are not cargo. They are family. Please upgrade your flying conditions. The thought of them flying in hot conditions and not with their owners is awful. Thank you.

Tue, 08/14/2012 - 15:49 — MICHELLE DOCCHIO (Visitor)
The cargo in an airplane is NOT the place for animals to be. They can sit on your lap or occupy a seat. I wouldn't give a crap if there were people on the plane annoyed by a pet, I'd rather have my bestfriend alive. And if there were ever a pet on a plane I wouldn't mind at all. All animals deserve rights, we just have to speak up for them!

Tue, 08/14/2012 - 15:51 — Laura Canuelas (Visitor)
I support the DOT’s decision to extend coverage to all dogs and cats.Reporting requirements are essential to inform consumers about the risks associated with transporting animals by air, and people deserve this information so they can make informed decisions about traveling safely with their pets. I want the rule to extend reporting requirements to all animals shipped commercially, not just dogs and cats. Please ensure the safety of all our animal friends!

Tue, 08/14/2012 - 15:56 — Naomi Sorrwar-R... (Visitor)
Animals are living, breathing beings NOT cargo! Please treat them as the beloved beings that they are. Thank you!

Tue, 08/14/2012 - 15:57 — Shauna Greek (Visitor)
My husband and I flew across Canada from British Columbia to Ontario with our cat, but we paid extra to bring him in the cabin with us (he did amazingly and was so calm). Everything I've heard about airlines no longer permitting pets in the cabin concerns me. I will never trust the airlines with my cat in cargo, even with this new rule. Airline standards/requirements with pets/cargo animals need to be improved further beyond this rule, but at least this is somewhere to start.

Tue, 08/14/2012 - 15:57 — Valerie Mendoza (Visitor)
We have the ability to speak unlike our pets, they cannot say if they need water or food, or if it gets too hot or too cold. Our Pets are not JUST luggage, they are part of our families, they our Best Friends! so PLEASE PLEASE protect these animals! STOP THE CRUELTY!

Tue, 08/14/2012 - 15:58 — Andrea (Visitor)
I support the DOT's decision to extend coverage to all dogs and cats. Travelers should be informed about the risks they are taking when leaving their pets in airplane cargo holds. my dog is part of my family, he is the only one i have and i like to take him with me where i go, i only took him with me one time. and when i did, he was in bad condition and had so many health problems. They deserve to be treated as humans and be well taken care of. thank you

Tue, 08/14/2012 - 15:59 — Joanne Costello (Visitor)
All animals deserve to be protected while being shipped as cargo during air transport. I support the DOT's decision to extend coverage to all dogs and cats. Reporting requirements are essential to inform consumers about the risks associated with transporting animals by air, and people deserve this information so they can make informed decisions about traveling safely with their pets. I want this rule to extend reporting requirements to all animals shipped commercially, not just dogs and cats.

Tue, 08/14/2012 - 16:09 — Leslie Ungar (Visitor)
Do not treat ANY living creature as cargo! More care and concern needs to be taken!

Tue, 08/14/2012 - 16:11 — Todd Clark (Visitor)
Please do whatever needs to be done to ensure that whaen pets fly they arrive alive. Insulate cargo area so it does not put them through unneccicary trauma.

Tue, 08/14/2012 - 16:11 — Carla Edstrom (Visitor)
Pets are not cargo! I was on a plane once where we heard barking for the first hour of the flight. Pets are terrified in there and not safe!

Tue, 08/14/2012 - 16:26 — Lara (Visitor)
All animals deserve to be protected

Tue, 08/14/2012 - 16:33 — Katt (Visitor)
Pets are not cargo and therefore should not be flown as cargo! They should sit in comfort with their owners. However, please up your cargo standards for those animals that do need to be flown as cargo for whatever reason so that they can fly in comfort and with minimal-no danger.

Tue, 08/14/2012 - 16:40 — Wende Boylan (Visitor)
Commercial airlines exist to provide a service to their customers who are also, often, the custodians of (an) animal(s). All animals, while in the care of these airlines, should be afforded humane treatment. I have a bird, and would be just as devastated at his loss as I would at the loss of my dog or cat. I am sure that other "exotic" pet owners share my feelings. I urge you to extend this rule's reporting requirements to include ALL animals shipped commercially, not just dogs and cats.

Tue, 08/14/2012 - 17:32 — norma (Visitor)
Pets should travel safely! Not in cargo!

Tue, 08/14/2012 - 18:59 — Amber Marienthal (Visitor)
Animals are NOT cargo. They should receive the same humane treatment you would give your own beloved pet. NO ANIMAL should suffer in cargo.

Tue, 08/14/2012 - 19:19 — Sylvia Gonzalez (Visitor)
I have never nor would ever check in my pets as cargo. They are a part of my family and i do not trust what can happen to them or how they would be treated. Laws that are humane need to be created.

Tue, 08/14/2012 - 19:24 — TERRY S HAMPTON (Visitor)
These animals are part of a family! Please treat them with respect and upgrade the care before, during & after transport!

Tue, 08/14/2012 - 20:51 — Lauren (Visitor)
I lived in Chile and found my dogs in the street there. I subsequently had them as part of my family in Chile for several years. When the decision to move back to the United States was made, I brought my dogs with me. There was no other option than to bring them as luggage, yes, unfortunately that meant they had to travel in the undercarriage of the plane. To those who commented and say "just don't do it", there is often no other option. Was I to leave my family members (my two dogs) in Chile? I don't think so. They ARE a part of my family, which is why the decision was made to bring them with me, as I would any members of my family. The answer is to IMPROVE the care of animals traveling via air, not to eliminate it. Thank you ASPCA for promoting the regulation of air travel. It is unrealistic and impractical to eliminate its use.

Tue, 08/14/2012 - 21:48 — Monika Teal (Visitor)
I once watched, from my boarding gate, a baggage handler tease my dog, who was in her cage ready to go into baggage. She was already extremely stressed, and this guy was having a great time at her expense. I pointed it out to the ticket agent at the gate, and she brushed it off like no big deal. I will never forget feeling so helpless and so guilty for putting my dog through this trauma!

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 14:51 — Eric Altshuler (Visitor)
Baggage handlers do not get any special training in care for animals onboard. Also, they aren't known for being the most caring people. They handle hundreds of pieces of luggage each day, and for most of them it's just a job. Your dog may have been mistreated because the guy was angry about something on the job, tired (overworked) or just plain callous. Certainly there are conscientious baggage handlers who would never do this kind of thing, but there aren't enough of them.

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 15:01 — Lisa D'Ambrosio (Visitor)
Could you yell at him from where you were? Did you write a letter and complain to the airline afterwards?

Tue, 08/14/2012 - 22:02 — ReganWoodPhotography (Visitor)
Not only are pets considered family, but let's talk in terms the airlines understand--MONEY! It costs a DAMN lot of money to fly your pet and they should be required to treat it compassionately and gingerly and be held accountable when they don't. Period.

Wed, 08/15/2012 - 09:32 — Tammy Lyssy (Visitor)
Pets feel fear,and get scared just like humans.They should be treated with respect, and kindness.

Wed, 08/15/2012 - 10:22 — Lauren Dla (Visitor)
Pets are members of a family and should be treated as such. If you wouldn't ship your baby in cargo, then don't do it to your pet.

Wed, 08/15/2012 - 14:24 — Kathy McCoy (Visitor)
Cargo is for cargo, NOT for living beings!

Wed, 08/15/2012 - 19:28 — Melissa Peterson (Visitor)
I commend you for extending your reporting to incidents involving ALL cats and dogs flown commercially. However, I would implore you to extend this rule to ALL animals: bunnies, reptiles, etc- any animal that is flown in commercial planes. It is not only the fair thing to do to give consumers more accurate information but it is the humane thing to do to keep the industry responsible for what happens to animals.

Wed, 08/15/2012 - 19:44 — Mary Ellen (Visitor)
Hi, It's time to change how we transport our family pets, putting them in cargo is not acceptable. We're upset with Romney for strapping his dog to the top of his car, well, this is kind of the same thing. Our pets are family members, not luggage! I am not putting my dogs on an airplane until this changes!

Wed, 08/15/2012 - 21:12 — Patricia Stone (Visitor)
Our pets as well as all animals that are transported should be handled with greater care. These are living things, not just baggage. The whole transportation experience must be confusing and frightening at best, so more humane transport methods for all animals need to be put in place.

Thu, 08/16/2012 - 13:37 — Hilda De Luna (Visitor)
Please help the poor animals that have to travel by airplane

Thu, 08/16/2012 - 15:00 — salle huber (Visitor)
Remember Katrina? And how many people refused to leave their homes because their animals couldn't come along to be rescued? People's pets mean a lot to them...in many cases, they are like their children. Support pet owners by taking good care of their pets. Thank you so much for taking one more step towards keeping our animals safe when flying.

Thu, 08/16/2012 - 18:16 — Carrol (Visitor)
I just recently moved from Germany to the US, my dog did fly with me. We came on Delta Airlines and they do have strict rules about shipping an animal. My Charly just was fine when I picked him up. Well, he did not fly cargo. But I was told by the airline that sometimes it would be better to ship animals cargo for excemple: If there are temperatures below freezing cargo would be better because the animal will be in a room wich is temperature . Delta airlines is also not shipping animals if it is to hot. So,it is on the pet owner to find out what is safe and what not for there pet.

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