Is it possible to take a cat on a plane?
Airlines do not prohibit the transport of pets on board aircraft . They regulate certain rules on how to transport a cat on an airplane. You can do this in two ways:
- take the animal with you to the salon;
- “check in” as special cargo.
The choice of the appropriate method depends on the weight of the pet. It must be remembered that transporting a cat is impossible without documents for it.
Do hotels accept animals?
Typically, national legislation does not prohibit the placement of animals in hotels. But not all hotels welcome four-legged guests. It all depends on the specific hotel.
When searching for a hotel, immediately check the “Pet Allowed” box. Please contact the hotel in advance to confirm that you can bring your pet. At the same time, check the rules of residence. Most often, only one animal can be accommodated in one room. Many hotels accept dogs and cats weighing up to 15 kilograms as pets.
When checking in, you are usually asked to present a veterinary passport with vaccination records. Don't forget to bring enough food, bowls, diapers, mat or carrier. Try not to leave your pet unattended in your room, and if you do have to do this, be sure to notify the staff.
Rules for transporting cats on an airplane and in “baggage”
No more than 5 animals can be in the aircraft cabin at the same time. Therefore, when booking or purchasing a flight ticket, you must inform a company employee that the passenger is flying with his pet.
Animals whose weight does not exceed 8 kg are allowed into the salon. In this case, the cat must be in a special container or cage. They can accommodate a maximum of 2 animals. Their total weight should not exceed the established 8 kg.
Note! A cat can be transported on an airplane in a soft bag with a hard bottom. But this is provided that it is small in size.
When transporting such animals on board an aircraft, you need to pay a certain amount.
Airlines prohibit leaving containers or cages with animals near emergency exits. There is also a ban on placing them under the passenger seat. Pets must always be under the supervision of their owners. Therefore, passengers with them are placed on seats near emergency passages or in the first seats in economy class.
To transport pets in the cargo hold, you will also need a container. There can only be one cat in it. The container should not hinder his movements.
Animals flying in the cargo hold are checked in as special baggage. To do this, their owners need to go to the reception desk. The container with the pet will be weighed and a sign will be placed on it indicating the following information:
- breeds;
- nicknames;
- age;
- vaccination data;
- Owner's name and telephone number.
This must be done so that if the cat is lost, it can be delivered to the owner. During the flight, you are allowed to visit your pet, which is located in the heated compartment of the luggage compartment.
What do you need to know when preparing for your trip?
Many holders of a residence permit in Europe or a second citizenship spend quite a lot of time in the EU and at the same time do not want to part with their pets. In fact, any dog or cat may not be able to bear being separated from its owner for several weeks or even months. The only way out is to take them with you. In addition, individuals regularly participate in international animal shows.
If you comply with all the conditions of the EU directives regarding the import of animals, then no problems will arise. By the way, it is useful to study the information on the official website of the European Union and familiarize yourself with the Rules for the transportation of pets. However, it should be remembered that individual European countries have special conditions that you also need to be aware of.
In addition, if an outbreak of a virus or infection occurs in one of the countries, the rules may be tightened up to the complete suppression of the movement of animals into the EU. You will have to come to terms with these demands; they are temporary.
Important! In the EU, there are regulations of the European Parliament, the Council of the EU and the European Commission 576/2013 and 577/577 for the transport of pets, which came into force on December 29, 2014. There is no tax on the import of pets for temporary stay in the EU.
We suggest you read: Animal life in the forest in winter
Whatever type of transport you plan to travel with, you will need a special container bag for transporting your cat. Nowadays there is a huge selection of carriers in stores: plastic, metal and fabric. Remember that a cat is a freedom-loving animal, and under stress its strength increases many times over.
Tip 1: Buy a good, sturdy carrier, preferably a plastic one with a metal door. Rigid carrying makes it more convenient for transport; you can safely put it on the seat of a car or bus, on a shelf on a train, or on the floor of an airplane. Even in crowded conditions, nothing will happen to the animal. And the cat herself will be more comfortable in it. In addition, you can insert a small toilet tray into a hard container, which is important.
If you have to travel by plane (especially abroad), then the choice is clear: an animal transported only in a rigid carrier is allowed for the flight. Sometimes and only certain companies - or “tortuga” (“MARCHIORO”, Italy). Some airlines allow the Atlas to be carried. (read more about choosing a carrier here)
Tip 2: if you spend less than a day on the road, it is better for your cat to fast. If the trip is long, stock up on food (in this case, dry food is irreplaceable), boiled water, and small, stable bowls for food and water.
Tip 3: you should also take a tray and wet wipes on the road (there are sanitary napkins for animals). You can place an absorbent pet mat or absorbent diapers on the bottom of the carrier. Experienced travelers advise sewing a carrying case made of dark fabric so that the cat feels calmer in a darkened space and is not frightened by flashes from the sides of the container.
Tip 4: Do not let your cat out on a train, bus or car unless absolutely necessary. Her behavior in a stressful situation is uncontrollable, and escape is also possible (of course, there are cats that calmly endure the journey, but this is rather the exception). If the path is not close, it is best to put a harness and leash on the cat in advance for the walk.
Tip 5: it is advisable to accustom your cat to both the carrier and the harness in advance in a calm home environment.
Tip 6: Travel can be very stressful for your indoor cat, so you should reduce her anxiety. They begin to give sedatives in advance, 3 to 5 days before departure. You should not give your cat valerian (on the contrary, it can have an stimulating effect), as well as tranquilizers that lower blood pressure (especially dangerous during changes in atmospheric pressure during flight).
Tip 7: Your fellow passenger may be allergic to animals. Therefore, just in case, take some antihistamine with you.
What is important to know when booking
Before transporting a cat on an airplane, passengers should know the following:
- whether there are bans on the import of animals into the territory of the country to which the passenger is flying;
- required documents for transporting pets within Russia and beyond its borders;
- how many animals can be on one flight on an airplane (in the cabin or in the cargo compartment);
- Are there any restrictions on transporting pets from the company from which tickets are purchased;
- requirements for a container, cage or bag for a cat;
- amount of surcharge for transporting a pet.
When purchasing or booking a boarding pass for a flight, you must indicate that the passenger is traveling with an animal.
How to transport a cat in a car
The main issue is safety. If you are traveling to the country with your pet and do not intend to cross the border, you are unlikely to need a package of documents.
The cat in the car should be in a carrier; it is better to place the carrier at the feet behind the driver's seat. This is the safest position. If a cat walks freely around the cabin or lies under the rear window, this is a big risk. During emergency braking, it will turn into a projectile that will straighten its claws and fly straight at the passengers or driver. It's better not to take unnecessary risks.
Documents for transporting a cat in Russia
The air carrier must be notified that the passenger is traveling with their pet no later than 36 hours before departure. By this time, you will also need to collect certain documents.
- Veterinary passport. It is given out at the veterinary hospital. At the same time, the cat is given the necessary vaccinations. Information about them is indicated in the document.
- State certificate No. 1. It is obtained at the State Veterinary Station only if you have a veterinary passport. This certificate may also be called an F1 veterinary certificate.
- Information about chipping.
Documents for taking a cat abroad
When transporting an animal on international flights, the rules become slightly stricter. The following documents will be required:
- International veterinary passport;
- A certificate containing information about the breeding value of the transported animal;
- State certificate according to form No. 1;
- Microchipping certificate is required!
The last document must be exchanged at the reception desk. Instead, a veterinary certificate of international standard is issued. It is accepted in all states.
Important! This document must be kept throughout the entire trip. It is needed not only to allow entry into the country, but also to leave it.
In addition, the animal must be vaccinated against rabies. The veterinarian enters information about vaccination into the veterinary passport. He also issues an additional certificate confirming that the pet has no diseases.
Chips
You can only take a cat across the European border if it has a chip, so don't forget about this procedure. The chip must be ISO 11784 certified. The chip number and information contained on it must match the data from the veterinary document and pedigree, if any. You can find out whether your cat needs a chip at the embassy of the state you need to go to or whose borders you will have to cross along the way. The simplest option is to simply install the chip and not think about this need anymore.
Breed value
When addressing the fight against illegal commercial activities, customs officials may question your intentions regarding the removal of a cat from the country. To avoid unpleasant delays and difficulties, felinologists draw up documentation that contains confirmation that the animal does not have any breeding value. If the pet is purebred, the specialist will issue a permit for its export, indicating the purpose of the trip, as well as the days of departure and arrival.
If you are going to an exhibition, you should take with you a receipt confirming payment of the exhibition fee or an invitation to the exhibition received from the organizers. Another way is to try to assure customs officers that the animal is absolutely outbred (it’s definitely not worth saying anything about its pedigree).
Such documents are not always checked, but care is still taken to ensure that they exist.
Cost of transporting a cat on an airplane
In many cases, transfer of animals is carried out for a fee . As a rule, owners try to take their pets onto the plane. You'll need to pay for your boarding pass and register your pet as "special cargo."
On average, the cost of transporting cats in the cabin of an airplane in Russia will be about 4,000 rubles. The cost of transportation abroad is 5000-6000 rudders.
Important! When transporting an animal in the cabin, it is important to notify the airline in advance.
As a rule, passengers with cats who are in transport containers are given more comfortable seats. But this is provided that they are not booked by passengers with children or with disabilities.
But it can be easier
Do you want to know how to make an intercontinental flight without any vaccinations, passports, documents, certificates and other customs hassles? Ask the cat Bisa. A seven-year-old Persian cat, who accidentally climbed into her owner's travel bag and fell asleep there, made a 3,400-mile flight from Egypt to England.
After the flight, Bisu feels well. Her owner, after staying with her sister, returned home to Egypt. But her pet had to spend a long time in an animal center in Chesterfield to undergo quarantine, since the official method of return is much more complicated...
Carrying requirements
Transfer of a furry pet is carried out only in special cages, containers or bags. They must be made of durable material. Doors must be equipped with locks. They will not allow the animal to get out and cause discomfort to other passengers.
The bottom of the carrier should have smooth transitions and no sharp corners. You can line it with a diaper napkin or soft cloth. This will make the animal much more comfortable.
Carriers must be equipped with holes for air intake. They should also have handles for carrying the animal. If the pet is large, it can be transported in a container on wheels.
