Why Does my Pet Require Ground Transportation?

By: Bridget Monrad, R.N. | Feb 12, 2023

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If you have read our earlier blogs, you may have noticed that our service use to be limited to air transportation.  However, recently there has been an increase in airline regulations for pets, which has resulted in our company offering a brand-new service, By Ground Safe and Sound, within the contiguous United States.

What are the new airline restrictions?

Airlines have always had temperature restrictions for pets to travel.  However, many airlines had special programs in place which made it easier for pets to travel during the summer months and the winter season.  Due to increased restrictions to ensure pet safety, all domestic airlines within the United States now require the temperatures to be between 45 – 80 degrees Fahrenheit for your pets to fly, or down to 20 degrees Fahrenheit with an Acclimation Letter from your vet.  If your pet is traveling internationally some of the international carriers have more flexibility with the temperatures, but first your pets must be taken to an airport which services that particular airline.

Another change to airline policies are the breeds of pets which will be accepted for transport.  While airlines have always had breed restrictions, many breeds could still fly if they had a customized crate.  With the recent changes however, many of these breeds can no longer fly.  This is due to a combination of factors including some breeds being classified as very strong, and other breeds being brachycephalic, or snub-nosed.  As with the temperature restrictions, if your pet is traveling internationally some of the international carriers have more flexibility. While some of these restrictions may seem inconvenient, they are to ensure your pet’s safety for their health and well-being while traveling.

The last change is that now many airlines will no longer accept larger dogs which require an extra-large or 700 series crate.  Each aircraft is set-up to only receive cargo and crates of certain dimensions. That is why it is beneficial to work with a pet relocation company, as they are familiar with which airlines and aircrafts can accommodate your pets.  While the aircrafts themselves have not changed, many airlines now will only accept medium sized and smaller pets, which can fit into a 500 series crate or smaller.

Which pets are affected?

Pets that are being affected the most at the moment are ones needing to travel to warmer states, such as Florida and Texas.  As the temperatures in these locations stays warm for the majority of the year, it is becoming more difficult to find flights to accommodate animals.  If your travel date is flexible enough to allow your pets to travel when it is cooler, many pets still have the option of flying.  Early morning and evening flights are also great options as it is usually the coolest part of the day.  In some cases, there is no possibility of the temperatures meeting the airline guidelines and in these cases ground transportation is needed.  

As previously mentioned, if you have a larger dog, being taller than 27” or about 50 Lbs., then many airlines will no longer be able to transport him or her.

There are also many breeds which can no longer fly domestically, no matter the temperature, age, or type of crate they travel in. This includes any pet mixed with these breeds.

Affected dog breeds include:

• American Pit Bull Terrier/Pit Bull
• American Staffordshire Terrier
• Boston Terrier
• Boxer
• Bulldogs of any type
• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
• Chow Chow
• Mastiffs of any type
• Pugs of any type
• Shar Pei

Affected cat breeds include:

• Burmese
• Exotic Shorthair
• Himalayan
• Persian

For a full list of affected breeds, go American Airlines or Alaska Air Cargo Website.

What does ground service include?

So, what does all the above information mean?  What if you have a pet which falls under the new restrictions and can no longer fly? Have no fear, Happy Tails Travel is here to assist with our By Ground Safe and Sound service!

For ground transportation we arrange domestic pet travel and relocation services within the contiguous United States. We help with all the arrangements of your pet’s VIP relocation from start to finish. This includes the following:

• Door-to-door transportation
• Working with our trusted drivers to arrange for your pets’ safe and comfortable ground transportation
• Transportation in heated/air-conditioned Sedans, SUVs, Mini Vans or Cargo vans, based on the pets traveling
• Communication with you throughout the trip; including at least 3 pictures of your pets per travel day, and regular updates between the driver and the pet owner(s) directly
• Comfort stops, walks, and potty breaks along the way (every 2 – 4 hours, unless more frequently requested)
• Your pets will be fed, given water and are able to bring their favorite toys along for the ride!

For more information on our By Ground Safe and Sound service, or to figure out which type of transportation is best for your pet, please visit our Website, and fill out our Pet Travel Form today!