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

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 09:51 — Anne Sadovsky (Visitor)
My sister has no one but me, but she lives in California and I am in Texas. She has a 12 pound dog that airlines argue is too large to fit under the seat because he is too tall...really? So she never gets to come visit because she has no one to take care of her best friend Max. She would never check him as cargo!!!

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 15:52 — Ines Almeida (Visitor)
Your sister should check American Airlines. I used to travel from Miami to California quite often, and bring my cocker spaniel on the plane with me. AA was the only airline that never gave me any hassle about the size of the dog. They were very kind.

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 09:59 — frederick szcze... (Visitor)
The ONLY required field is the "Comments" box -- all others are optional.

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 10:00 — Melissa Silverwood (Visitor)
I have to fly my dog cargo to the UK from the USA.Pets are not allowed in the cabin on any Airline to this country.Virgin Atlantic has a flying club" the paws club " for pets which is supposed to bthe safest .Anyone have any experience with this Airlines as far as pet travel is concerned?

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 10:03 — Irena Franchi (Visitor)
Protect pets traveling by air.

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 10:37 — K (Visitor)
Animals should NOT be considered cargo. At the prices to ship animals and cargo, they could easily be transported in a humane method using space in the passenger cabin. The current shipping methods are far too disturbing and inhumane for animals.

Wed, 10/17/2012 - 16:13 — Cate (Visitor)
I agree wholeheartedly! The airlines should be ashamed of the way they treat animals.

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 10:43 — Julie (Visitor)
Would you ship your kids in the cargo area!!!!!!!!!! Animals don't have a voice so we need to speak up for them. Common sense, not that common!

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 10:55 — Steph Hargraves (Visitor)
If I wouldn't fly cargo then my animals will not. Some people just don't care about their animals and if they did then there would not be so much cruelty and they don't care if animals have feelings. Some people need to put themselves in their animals shoes. If you plan on flying your animal in cargo it is your fault if something happens to your animal. But I do agree that it is high time that the airlines start informing some of these ignorant animal owners of what might happens if thier animal is flown as cargo and not as a living breathing being.

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 10:57 — Susan Wills (Visitor)
We trust you with our pets when we fly with them. You are RESPONSIBLE for their safety and someone should oversee when they are not protected by the airlines. There has to be a mandatory oversight for lacking in this care. They are valuable and important to the pet owners and we deserve to know they are safe when we fly with them.

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 11:00 — Katherine Iosif (Visitor)
Yes, every animal deserves to be protected during air transport, and while I strongly support this action, I propose going further. I would like the DOT to consider requiring better conditions for animal transport overall. They need even the most basic comforts humans enjoy in the passenger cabin above, i.e., temperature control, sound proofing, and air circulation. It is terrible that we transport animals with the cargo in a freezing, excruciatingly loud, and stuffy luggage compartment. They are living things, and they need basic comforts as much as anyone else.

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 11:06 — Terri Halle (Visitor)
We know better. Our fuzzy family members deserve to be treated in the best way, to be kept safe when they are scared, and not to be hidden away in cold or hot cargo areas. Please do the right thing and change your procedure to accommodate the animals who fly. Thank you.

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 11:24 — Erica Davis (Visitor)
Animals are not luggage. Please upgrade your flying conditions for animals. They deserve better than being treated like a suitcase. Thank you.

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 11:27 — Kamar Sumrall (Visitor)
Stop corporate liars and deniers from contined animal cruelty!

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 11:28 — Allison T (Visitor)
I've noticed a number of people entereing the suggested text for the comment in the comments section here on this article page. In order for DOT to receive your comment on the proposed regulation, you must use one of the two hyperlinks in the article - be sure to click on the "accepting comments" link or the "regulations.gov" link in the article. That will take you to the correct regulations.gov page where you can comment on this particular proposed rule by DOT. Thanks! :)

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 11:46 — Iryna Naumenko (Visitor)
The pets are a life, they are not a luggage!

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 11:53 — Ben Kloepper (Visitor)
What Jack the Cat's law *should* be: Airlines shall not require companion animals to travel in the cargo section of the airplane. Animals small enough to fit in an "under-the-seat" carrier shall be allowed to fly as carry-on luggage. If the accompanying person does not have a suitable carrier for this purpose, the carrier shall be provided by the airline, for a reasonable rental fee. Animals too large to fit in an "under-the-seat" carrier may be allowed to fly in the passenger cabin, in an additional purchased seat, adjacent to the accompanying person. As above, if the accompanying person does not have a suitable carrier for this purpose, one will be provided by the airline for a reasonable rental fee.

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 12:04 — elaine (Visitor)
THIS WILL BE A CRIME. HAVE SOME COURAGE TO STAND UP FOR WHATS RIGHT. compare cruelty laws 100 years ago to now, so changes will be made soon and in the future to end cruelty and treat our planet and everything on it with respect. Soon, any cruelty and abuse, acts to hide it, intentional or unintentional will all be criminal, and moral crimes. Some already are! FACE IT - there are 2 types of people, those who are intelligence, civilized, responsible, have courage to stop the wrongs in our world and THOSE WHO ARE NOT-WHICH ONE ARE YOU?

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 12:08 — Tee Na (Visitor)
Please do the right thing and change your procedure to accommodate the animals who fly. Thank you.

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 12:17 — Zelime Gizzi (Visitor)
Airlines really should report animal mishaps!! It's their responsibility! What if YOU were one of those animals? Wouldn't you want someone to Stand up for you? Please DO the right thing! Please.

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 12:28 — Wanda Cooper (Visitor)
As a compassionate person I believe that ALL animals that lose their life in transit or from being on an airplane, should be reported publicly. THIS NEEDS TO END. ALL CREATURES deserve the right to be transported safely, in secure accomadations, with clean air to breath, plenty of water to drink and food to eat. They are not luggage and should not be treated as such. They are frightened creatures, placed into strange accomadations and possibly handled by people who can do as they please to them without recourse. YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED! If you accept creatures on your airline, then it is your responsibility to treat them as passengers. Traveling on your airline means someone PAID for their seat and they deserve the same care and concern and treatment as a first class passenger. Just because they cannot speak for themselves does not give you the right to treat them badly by ignoring them or giving them improper care. You must take responsibility. GROW UP AND EARN YOUR REPUTATION BY CARING FOR ALL CREATURES ON YOUR AIRLINE AS THEIR CARE IS BEING PAID FOR THE SAME AS FIRST CLASS. Just as a child sent alone from one destination to another, someone must champion them and take care of them along the way. CREATURES ARE NO DIFFERENT, THEY CANNOT SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES, THEY RELY ON YOU TO DO THAT FOR THEM. Take a stand and step apart from crulty be the best at all you do on your airline and expect everyone who you employ to take responsiblity when they see something is wrong, even if it is not the area they work in or pertains to their job. Accountability is the key and it must start with everyone stepping up with compassion and responsibility, love and care, moral justice for plainly doing what is right. You have to report all misconduct and mishandling of any creature you allow to fly on your plane. Please do what is right, stop hiding your shame.

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 12:42 — shirley haney (Visitor)
I support these goals: 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.

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 13:05 — anastasia devaris (Visitor)
Im afraid to let my pet travel airborne with me, therefore im not traveling air neither till they change the way they treat animals, DONT THROW MY PET OR ANYBODY ELSES INTO YOUR CARGO AREA, THEY ARE NOT SUITCASES! And until you change the way you treat traveling pets, you WILL NOT get any of my $$$$$$$.

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 13:25 — Ginger Boehne (Visitor)
treat all animals humanely

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 13:28 — Gilda Varela (Visitor)
My comment has to do with the airline approved animal crates. I purchased one from Remington through petco..cost close to $100...they advertised that the crate would hold any dog...one of my pits got out...I emailed them informing them that the dog was supposed to be shipped to Japan...so glad we didn't he might have gotten out in the airplane and possibly killed...they should not advertise that they are guaranteed against a dog getting out and taking a chance that they could get out in the cargo section of the airplane and getting killed...I was not satisfied with their answer...and their guarantees.

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 13:58 — Penny Hammack (Visitor)
I used to work for an airline. One time when I was checking in for a flight the customer in front of me had two dogs that looked like dachsands but were way larger, about 2 1/2 feet long and hefty. The customer had been told that to carry an animal in the cabin they had to fit in a carrier under the seat, about 9 inches high. The customer was insisting on putting the dogs in a carrier and carrying them on board. It was obvious to all of us standing in line that there was no way that the dogs would fit in an onboard carrier without cutting large pieces off of them.

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 14:03 — Penny Hammack (Visitor)
2nd comment, One time when I worked for the airline there was a strike that involved 5 major airlines. The airline I worked for was the only major airline flying. A man called from Texas and wanted to ship his dog, who was in heat, to Boston for breeding. We were not accepting animals due to our crowded flights and the summer heat. He insisted, I refused, he insisted, I refused. I don't know how he got the dog there but we didn't accept her.

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 14:08 — Penny Hammack (Visitor)
Third comment. A co-worker was working the international desk. A woman booked a site-seeing trip around Europe then said she would be bringing her dog along with her. It was small enough to fit under our seats but some European airlines wouldn't accept pets at all. So they started over, trying to avoid non-accepting airlines. Finally my co-worker said "Ma'am, why are you dragging this little dog all over Europe?" The lady replied "because no one will notice me if I don't have little Fifi with me".

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 14:09 — Regina Hartman (Visitor)
Animals are not cargo. They are living breathing creatures. Helpless. Huge fines and regulations are the only way for change. Unfortunately money is what is cared about, not suffering. This must stop .

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 14:26 — jena hallmark (Visitor)
disclose animal cargo problems

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 14:59 — Debbie Croft (Visitor)
I am totally devasted to know that this is going on.What is wrong with the airlines? Don't they realize what an impact thie must have not only on the animals, but the owners as well. Please make sure this is taken care of as soon as possible.

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 15:05 — Edy Garrison (Visitor)
I don't think animals should be shipped in cargo to begin with. However, knowing that the airlines certainly won't want to spend any of the money they're making charging every fee under the sun they can think of to keep animals safer, perhaps this is the only thing available. Why haven't discloser rules been in place since animals have been put in cargo?

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 15:27 — kayla (Visitor)
I think animals should be able to ride with the owners.

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 15:34 — Eric Altshuler (Visitor)
While a plane is in flight, conditions in the climate-controlled cargo hold may be acceptable, but one of the worst animal flight tragedies in recent years happened on the tarmac. In January 2011, a hairless Sphynx kitten froze to death after a one-hour delay in removing her from the cargo hold following her flight's landing at Hartford's Bradley Airport. Outside temperature was around 10 degrees F and the cargo hold got cold very rapidly after the aircraft was powered down. Similarly, if a plane has to wait a long time before takeoff, its engines may be shut down to avoid wasting fuel while sitting on the tarmac. I would assume the cargo hold's climate control systems would also not function in this situation. Such delays should be a major concern. Perhaps a "cottage industry" will emerge with companies providing specialized handling and care for animals being flown. This may be rather expensive, maybe costing even more than the flight itself, but well worth the price if it means superior protection for our pets.

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 15:38 — J Brown (Visitor)
i had my boston shipped from arizona to portland, org by atr. when i went to pick her up they couldnt find her, and when they located the shipping crate it was in pieces and my dog gone...an hour later security spotted her running accross a field to a fenceline. there were 7 kids with me looking everywhere and when they headed out to call her they were stopped by security. i called her and when she heard me finally she changed direction and headed for me. the security people had set up sharp-shooters to kill my animal that was already freaking and when i overheard, quite by accident, that they were ready to take down the animal all hell broke loose. between my kids and i and about 50 or more passengers that were watching what was going raised so much hell that when two of my girls jumped the no admittance area and went out to get her security weny nuts. we got our dog, i was never reimbursed for the carrior and the security got lashed at. i still do not to this day why the thought of a tranquilizer was never in the process....only shoot to kill. i have often wondered how many animals get poor treatment then pay thr price because employees did not do their job!

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 16:18 — Charles Mozitis (Visitor)
Animals requiring transportation via airlines, should be protected the same way as humans. Pets are family members and should be allowed to travel in the passenger compartment with their humans. If they can't, then every effort should be made to care for them and protect them while they air in the hold. Travel can be very stressful to animals, being seperated from their humans only makes the stress worse. When there is a problem and an animal becomes sick or injured or even dies while traveling in the hold, the airlines should be held accountable, be made to publicly report each mishap and a third party investigation needs to take place. This is the only way air travel for pets will improve!

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 16:33 — Nancy Herlinger (Visitor)
Years ago, a friend's pet died on the way to a Christmas celebration because a handler put the dog in its carrier in an unpressurized area. I thought the 60's were long gone. I am wrong. Please fix this problem.

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 16:55 — vicky (Visitor)
My new 8 week old puppy was flown from Georgia to Sacramento, a long flight. Aside from the fact that they no longer allow the poor babies have so much as a toy inside with them, and there is a notice on their crate saying he needed to eat/drink every 2-3 hrs., he arrived with his water all spilled out all over his pee pad and blanket he came with for comfort (it had his mother and litter mates scent on it and i had to wash it immediately), and his food all soaked in it. He was shivering back in a corner. i took him out and poured him some water immediately and held him all the way home. That was his first trip in the car--after the trip to the airport. He is still afraid of car rides 5 yrs. later.

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 17:59 — Cindyc (Visitor)
I would definitely fly more if I knew that airlines respect the transport of pets. As of right now, I have driven with my three cat pets for relocation purposes about 5 times being afraid of the airlines' conditions & most times careless personnel they appoint to the cargo area. Just by seeing the cargo personnel I would NOT ever fly my pets. I cringe when I see through the window how laughingly with a buddy, they get bags & pet crates & throw them inside the plane. Please hire new or train existing personnel on respect for others' belongings/pets. AND definitely, increase you pet regulations standards for a decent fly. Trust me, you'd double your profits.

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 18:23 — John kilroy (Visitor)
Living things are not luggage.What is wrong with people.If the airlines do not get this then I,ll find other ways to travel.

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 19:05 — Karen (Visitor)
As a mail carrier, I delivered batches of chicks in the summer time. These animals need to be kept at the appropriate temperature, and given sufficient water for their health.

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 19:08 — Linda Kugler (Visitor)
I would never consider allowing either of my dogs to be shipped as cargo. They should be treated in the same manner as human children. Anything less is barbaric. When are people going to wake up and realize that animals have feelings hunger, thirst,joy, happiness, sorrow, lonliness, pain just as we do?

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 20:27 — Virginia DiBianco (Visitor)
There should be special place in the cargo area that is temperature controlled and using a monitoring device to check on the animals during the flight. Also, airlines should refuse flying "commercial" cats and dogs to pet stores. Just about all pet stores get the their animals from puppy mills and catteries. These puppy mills and catteries are kept in the poorest conditions possible, and should all be shut down!!

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 20:35 — Jackson Brown (Visitor)
We have been shipping animals with the airlines now for 15 years we have shipped thousands of animals. The USDA has very strict standards and the crates are inspected carefully to make sure the standards are met. Temp requirements are very strict, and the animals are never handled by any mechanical devices. We have never had (1) animal injured, killed or lost they travel in pressurized air conditioned and heated areas of the airplane and actually they travel in better conditions than most passengers as they do not have to contend with some drunk or smelly person. The travel standards are excellent and do not need any changes.

Wed, 10/17/2012 - 16:23 — Cate (Visitor)
Oh please. What planet are you on?

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 22:14 — Anne Marie Hock... (Visitor)
this is why I only fly on airlines that allow pets on board. I don't mind buying another ticket since I know it means my pet will be alive and won't require expensive veterinary treatment if someone gets careless.

Sat, 08/18/2012 - 02:09 — Inga (Visitor)
Please improve your standards - a dog or any other animal is not a bag but a living being and someone's family member. This is disgusting what's happening to animals in CARGO! Please change the regulations!

Sat, 08/18/2012 - 10:04 — Skylar (Visitor)
I strongly agree with everyone else! Please help stop this! You need to help insure this will NEVER happen again!

Sat, 08/18/2012 - 10:28 — Jane Davidson (Visitor)
Would you consider your child as baggage while you fly first class? Animals are living, feeling sensitive beings who deserve humane conditions like the rest of us. Flying is extremely traumatic for them even in the best of circumstances.

Sat, 08/18/2012 - 10:37 — Heather (Visitor)
Please treat pets with more respect! They deserve to be treated well. This is sad that it's even an issue that people need to address to the airplane companies. It's common sense that any living thing whether it be a human or animal should be treated with decency and care.

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