USDA AIRLINE REGULATIONS CONCERNING ANIMAL TRANSPORT
The USDA regulations for transportation of dogs and cats are part of the Animal Welfare Regulations which are printed in the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 9, Section 3.1. The main points if you're worried about the conditions under which your dog travels are:
1. Carriers and intermediate carriers must not accept a dog or
cat for transport in commerce more than 4 hours before
the scheduled departure time of the primary conveyance. However,
this can be extended up to 2 hours by agreement
with the consignor and the carrier or intermediate handler.
2. Carriers and intermediate handlers must not accept a dog or
cat for transportation in commerce unless their animal
holding area meets the minimum temperature requirements provided in
§§ 3.18 and 3.19 (see Item 6 below - 45 to 85
degrees F), or unless the consignor provides them with a certificate
signed by a veterinarian and dated no more than 10 days before delivery
of the animal to the carrier or intermediate handler for transport in
commerce,
certifying that the animal is acclimated to temperatures lower than
those
required in §§ 3.18 and 3.19. Even if the carrier or
intermediate
handler receives this certification, the temperatures the dog or cat is
exposed to while in a terminal facility must not be lower than 45 F for
more than 4 consecutive hours, nor lower than 45 F for more than 45
minutes
when moving dogs or cats to or from terminal facilities or primary
conveyances.
A copy of the certification must accompany the dog or cat to its
destination
and must include the following information:
(1) The consignor's name and address;
(2) The tag number or tattoo assigned to each
dog or cat under §§ 2.38 and 2.50;
(3) A statement by a veterinarian, dated no
more than 10 days before delivery, that to the best of his or her
knowledge, each of the dogs or cats contained in the primary enclosure
is acclimated to air temperatures lower than 50
F; but not lower than a minimum temperature, specified on a
certificate,
that the attending veterinarian has determined is based on generally
accepted
temperature standards for the age, condition, and breed of the dog or
cat;
and
(4) The signature of the veterinarian and the
date the certification was signed.
3. Primary conveyance - Air. During air transportation,
dogs and cats must be held in cargo areas that are heated or
cooled as necessary to maintain an ambient temperature that ensures
the health and well-being of the dogs and cats.
4. Primary conveyance - Surface (motor vehicle, rail, and
marine).
During surface transportation, auxiliary ventilation,
such as fans, blowers or air conditioning, must be used in any animal
cargo space containing live dogs or cats when the ambient temperature
within
the animal cargo space reaches 85 F. Moreover, the ambient
temperature
may not exceed 85 F for a period of more than 4 hours, nor fall below
45
F for a period of more than 4 hours.
5. Ventilation. Auxiliary ventilation, such as exhaust
fans,
vents, fans, blowers, or air conditioners, must be used when
the ambient temperature in the animal holding area is 85 F or
higher. The ambient temperature in the animal holding
area must not fall below 45 F or rise above 85 F for more than four
consecutive hours.
6. Temperature. The ambient temperature in an animal holding area containing dogs or cats must not fall below 45 F or rise above 85 F for more than four consecutive hours at any time that dogs or cats are present.
7. The dog or cat must not be exposed to an ambient air
temperature
above 85 F for a period of more than 45 minutes
while being moved to or from a primary conveyance or a terminal
facility.
8. Transporting devices must be covered when the outside temperature falls below 50 F. The dogs or cats must not be exposed to an ambient temperature below 45 F for a period of more than 45 minutes, unless they are accompanied by a certificate of acclimation to lower temperatures.
Above all be sure to check with your ariline and travel agent for
specific
details.....