After Divorce, Travel with a Pet

    Dogs are our faithful companions. They provide unconditional love and affection, loyalty, and often an added sense of security in our daily lives. They’re grateful for everything we do for them, sad when we leave home without them, but can always be counted on to provide a joyful greeting when we return. (You’re probably thinking that if only your former spouse possessed these qualities, you probably wouldn’t have gotten divorced, but that’s a different topic altogether.)            

Once a dog becomes a member of the family, it’s often hard to leave them behind when it becomes necessary to travel for leisure or business. For many, the thought of leaving their dog in the care of even the most professionally run kennel or boarding facility is catamount to leaving a child in an orphanage while the parent goes on a fun-filled vacation. Some dog owners are even hesitant to leave their pets in the care of relatives or close friends, or with an experienced dog sitter – all of which are usually viable and safe options.            

If you plan to take a road trip or fly on a commercial airline, traveling with your pet is usually possible. However, train services (including Amtrak), along with commercial bus companies (including Greyhound) do not allow pets, unless it’s a service animal traveling with someone with a disability.            

According to the Travel Industry Association of America, an estimated 29.1 million Americans say they have traveled with a pet in the past three years. Vehicular travel is the primary mode of transportation topping the list at 76 percent. Other popular modes of transport include expeditions via recreational vehicles (10 percent) and airline travel (6 percent).  


FLYING WITH YOUR SMALL DOG              

An alternative to leaving your pet behind is to take him along on your trip. If you plan to fly to your destination, this is relatively easy (although it can get a bit pricy), as long as your dog weighs less than 15 pounds, is more than eight weeks old, and can be transported in a carrier. Unfortunately, pets can’t earn airline frequent flier miles, however.            

For a fee (usually between $65 and $95 each way), most airlines allow small dogs to be brought onto an aircraft and kept within a carrier, under the seat in front of where the passenger is sitting. This applies to domestic flights only.            

Unfortunately, if your dog weighs more than 15 pounds, he’ll need to travel in the cargo hold aboard an aircraft, which for them can be a stressful and uncomfortable experience. For the well-being of your larger dog, you’re probably better off finding a pet sitter or a boarding facility near your home, where your dog will be safe and comfortable, unless accompanying you on your travels is absolutely necessary.

Depending on the season, many airlines don’t accept pets as cargo during the summer months for the safety of the animals. If you have a large dog and opt to check him as cargo on a commercial aircraft, be sure to visit the Dog Travel Company or the Third Amendment’s Airline Animal Incident Report website first, to learn about the potential downside of this.            

Traveling with a small dog that will accompany you in the airplane’s cabin is safer for the dog. Check with the airline you plan to fly with before making your travel reservations, however, to learn about the airline’s pet policy. Also, to make the travel easier and faster for you and your dog, try to book non-stop flights to and from your destination. Airline specific guidelines can be found on each airline’s website or by calling the airline’s toll-free phone number. (The fees quoted are for pets traveling in the cabin with their owner.) The following is contact information for several of the major airlines, along with links relating to each airline’s pet policy:   ·       

Airtran – (800) 247-8726 / www.airtran.com / Pet fee: $65 each way.

American Airlines – (800) 433-7300 / www.aa.com / Pet fee: $80 each way. 

Continental Airlines – (800) 575-3335 / www.continental.com / Pet fee: $95 each way.         

Delta Airlines – (800) 221-1212 / www.delta.com / Pet fee: $75 each way.       

JetBlue – (800) JET-BLUE / help.jetblue.com / Pet fee: $75 each way.        

Northwest Airlines – (800) 225-2525 / www.nwa.com / Pet fee: $80 each way.         

Southwest Airlines – According to the airline, “Southwest Airlines does not accept live animals in the aircraft cabin or cargo compartment other than fully trained assistance animals accompanying a person with a disability or being delivered to a person with a disability.” For more information, visit www.southwest.com or call (800) 435-9792. ·        

United Airlines – (800) 864-8331 / www.united.com / Pet fee: $85 each way.        

US Airways – (800) 428-4322 / www.united.com / Pet fee: $80 each way.