IATA Shipping Crates for your Pets

So you are leaving for a career building seminar on conservation; but you don’t want to leave your dear “Poochie,” your pet Chihuahua under professional care! You want to take her along with you – great idea! But you must remember to get her trained and accustomed to International Air Transportation Association (IATA)-approved shipping crates.

What Is IATA?

IATA (International Air Transport Association) does not make, sell or endorse any particular brand of crates for live animal transfers. However, it has laid down guidelines on how to transfer live animals through air transport. Many governments have integrated IATA rules in their laws and thus have made them mandatory.

IATA approved crates conform to prescribed formats and dimensions but also possess other features required by the guidelines. These rules include food and water troughs in the crates that are outwardly reachable and adequate ventilation.

The other guidelines that deal with such live animal transfers pertain to multiple animals being flown together. IATA maintains that only two live puppies or kittens can be put together in an IATA approved crate.

Puppies or kittens can be transported together if:

• They’re eight weeks to six months old
• Are of equal size
• Less than 20 lbs.

Airport Rules for Crates

Airlines have their own rules regarding the number of animals they can allow in the cabin. If you want “Poochie” with you in the cabin, notify the airlines far in advance of your departure.

However if animals are being sent unattended, a Certified Veterinarian Inspection (CVI) stating its complete health is required. In some cases additional food packets with feeding instructions have to be attached with the IATA approved crate. However animal shippers are professionals and know how to deal with your four legged friends. They pick up the pets, keep them in their custody till the time of departure and deliver them at the predetermined point.

Just like pets have to be house trained; they have to get accustomed IATA approved shipping crates.

It is better to provide your pets with the crate about a month or two before your departure and get it used to being locked up in it.

Crate Accessories

Accessories like the crate or cage fan are now available for pets that are the apple of their master’s eye. These clip-on fans allow the pets in need of cool breeze to be comfortable and be able to endure the hardships of air travel. Snub nosed dogs like pugs, bulldogs and Pekinese may benefit from such accessories because they have problem in regulating their own body temperature in hot weather.

IATA approved shipping crates should not be used for animals in drugged or sedated condition, IATA does not approve of use of sedatives on flights due to possibility of adverse reactions in animals. So no need to feel lonely without your pets even while taking vacations outside your home town, now you have IATA approved crates to carry your pets in!