Sit, Stay, Fly!
How to travel with your pets: suggested tips from EL AL Airlines.
1. Before you book a flight for you and your pet, check the fees: EL AL Airlines, for instance, has a pet frequent flier program (the only airline with a pet frequent flyer club for travel to Israel). Look out for special perks—i.e. EL AL’s pet frequent flier program rewards frequent pet travelers. After traveling on three roundtrip flights within a three-year period, pets earn a free roundtrip flight!
2. Your pet should exercise before the flight. Taking your pet for a quick jog or walk will help calm him before the flight so that he will sleep easier and be more comfortable.
3. Pets should be fed a few hours before departure. You don’t want your pet to go hungry, but you also don't want him to get an upset stomach.
4. Make sure your pet is comfortable! In the winter months, make sure a blanket is available to cover your pet. It’s a long flight for him, too.
5. Purchase the appropriate travel kennel or pet carrier far in advance. Your pet will usually travel with greater ease if she has established a "nesting" type relationship with her carrier at home prior to the flight. Have your pet “try out” the carrier prior to the flight so she feels an attachment to it beforehand.
6. Clip your pet’s toenails before any flight. This reduces the chances of her getting hooked on the carrier door or other openings.
7. Contact the appropriate embassy far in advance of your trip to learn about quarantine or health requirements.
8. Make sure your animal has a sturdy collar http://www.modapets.com/collars> with two identification tags, one for your pet's home information and the other with your destination information.
9. Always carry a current health certificate from your veterinarian, dated within 7 to 10 days of departure.
10. Make sure to give your pet plenty of love before and after the flight.
