Taking your Kitten to the Skies

When you can't  pick up your kitten and drive it home, other travel means must be explored to bring baby home.

While flying a kitten alone to a new home isn't the most desired way to do this, there are times when there is no other recourse.  We will only ship on direct flights as a kitten might miss a connection and sit in a draft, so this must be discussed when you want to fly a kitten "home."  We have had many clients drive to the nearest airport to meet a direct flight to insure their kitten is safe and secure.

We are "known shippers" with American Airlines and have a PAL number.  American Airlines sent a representative out here to make sure we were a legitimate.  After 9-11, they checked "to make sure no one was sitting out here in turbans, making bombs." )  If this offends anyone, it is a direct quote and I agree with it.  Sorry but with the world situation as it is, can one blame me or the airlines?   I'm proud they found that I am a red, white and true-blue Irish-English-Native American.  One privilege this gives us is that we can ship kittens any time of the year, weather permitting.  Breeders without a PAL number cannot ship during holidays and peak airline times for security reasons.

It will help to know the airline luggage compartments, where the pets ride, are pressurized, and I am assured they are heated and air conditioned like the passenger cabin.  They would freeze in the atmosphere otherwise and many items shipped would be ruined otherwise.  We always make sure the kitten(s) have a blanket and a cozy bed to snuggle up in, a thick layer of paper on bottom and food and water in case there is a delay.

The airlines personnel that we have used in the past have always given a lot of wonderful care and attention to the babies from the time they arrive at the airport until they are finally in the arms of their new "parents."   

Only one incident in the 9 years of breeding Burmese kittens has flawed an otherwise perfect air borne experience for a kitten.  I decorated a large purple carrier with purple, gold and green streamers and ribbons all over it because two kittens were going to New Orleans during Mardi Gras, and I thought it would be a cute way for the new owners to recognize the carrier and their kittens.  The carrier and kittens arrived at the New Orleans airport on time and in good condition, Priority Package, . . .but somehow the carrier was misplaced for over an hour!!!  Believe it or not.  The personnel at the airport in New Orleans said they weren't aware any pets were on board the airplane, even though they were listed on the manifest.  They were fine and we have flown several kittens to New Orleans since that time and everything went perfectly well.  Whew!!  

The airlines' personnel have always been very concerned, caring and the airlines' have strict guidelines for the care in shipping pets.  We always stay with the kitten(s) until they have to take them to the airplane but they never sit out on the tarmac in the weather.  We stay until the plane departs.  Before 9-11, a pilot brought back a kitten for me to hold when the plane was delayed.  Then he returned to get the kitten and off they went.  

You have to promise us to be at the airport when the plane arrives so they don't have to put the kitten(s) with other animals and they will take them to a shelter if you don't pick them up before the cargo area closes for the night!  This has never happened to any of my kittens.

Southwestern Airlines will not fly pets anywhere, anytime.  Guess they OD'ed  on peanuts or something!  We use American Airlines more than any airline.  Continental,  Northwest, and American West do take pets, however.

Most clients fly in to DFW Airport and meet us there to get their kitten(s), stay overnight and fly out the next day.  We usually arrange to meet at the airlines' ticket counter.  Be sure to bring a small carrier that will fit under the seat. A couple recently flew in to get their 2 kittens and flew back home with them in their laps.....to St. Johns, the American Virgin Islands and 2 ladies flew in from Anchorage, Alaska to pick up 3 kittens to take back in their laps.  Sherpa-type carriers are perfect and once you are airborne, the attendants usually turn a "blind eye" if you take baby out of the carrier to cuddle and bond a bit while in the air.  Nothing else going on anyway and baby will adore you for it.  Just hope you don't get a seat next to someone who is allergic to cats!....but then the Burmese is supposed to THE hypoallergenic cat!!  

DO NOT PUT THE KITTEN THROUGH THE X-RAY MACHINES!     Take it out of the carrier and let it go through.  You walk the baby through in your loving arms.

We prefer you pick up your kitten and visit awhile to get it used to you and to know you mean no harm.  Then they are willing to go happily off to it's new home with you.

Be very sure to take heed when you leave the airplane.  The really dangerous part of the trip now begins........when you get in your car and drive away.

Expenses when you ship a kitten:

The cost of flying a kitten via Priority Package on American Airlines  is about $193.  Around $80 if you carry on.  The airlines require a health certificate for each kitten and that is about $50, including the vet office visit and the health certificate.  Some veterinarians will charge an office visit per kitten, but most aren't so money hungry, and will only charge one office visit and charge for each health certificate.  I do this when I can to cut the cost for you.  The cost of a carrier is about $45 plus tax,  but two kittens can use one carrier and you purchase only one ticket.  There is also a $95 courier charge to take the kitten(s) to the airport.  We do not hire a service to do this (and they charge more) but hand carry the kitten(s) to the airport and make sure they get onboard safely.  A reservation cannot be made more than 72 hours prior to a flight.  The airlines won't take more than two reservations for pets per flight for carry on's in coach.  Occasionally, someone will fly first class and they allow more pets onboard.  The health certificate cannot be more than 10 days old.  If a kitten is less than 3 months old, it does not have to get a rabies vaccination to fly.  Texas is always under quarantine for rabies, so 3 month old kittens or older must have this shot.  It is about $15 and is obtained when we get the health certificate.  Therefore, one office visit charge.  This is the only vaccination required by the airlines.  The health certificate only states that the kitten is not sick, had required shots, hasn't bitten anyone within 10 days and can travel in weather over 45 degrees and under 84 degrees at point of origin and destination any time during the day of the flight. 

As stated above, some vets will want to run the kitten through a whole regime of tests under the guise of issuing a health certificate, but this isn't necessary as they have already had first shots and wormed.  It would only have to be done again at your own vet's office when you get home.  We do not give tranquilizers  to the kittens before traveling.  We do give them Oxyfresh Stress Relief, an all natural, herbal remedy that calms the kittens.  Kittens usually try to hide and burrow up in the blanket and go to sleep once they are underway.   We always make sure they have a warm bed and blanket to snuggle and burrow in for security.  Airlines require that food and water accompany pets when flying Priority Package.  Again, you must be at the airport when the plane arrives so the kittens don't have to go to a shelter for the night.  Exposure to other animals would be detrimental to a kitten's well being not to mention being exposed to drafts or the temperature being wrong. 

Let us know if you have any other questions about transporting a kitten to you.

info@burmesecats.net

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