Louisville to Kiev, Ukraine
Rosie and Jules traveled from Louisville, Kentucky all the way to Kiev, Ukraine this past week. They made a brief layover in Atlanta, where our friend Dennis took them out and attended to them while they checked out the sites at the Atlanta airport.
After their short visit in Atlanta they then flew to Frankfurt, Germany, where they had another break in their travel and a chance to practice their German with Faruk and Kay, our friends at GK Air.
Finally they took the last leg of their trip for Kiev. Their journey ended shortly after noon on Valentines Day and they were reunited with Anthony.
A long trip but well worth it in the end!
Continental and United Merge
Starting March 3, United and Continental will be merging and adopting Continental’s pet transportation program, known as “PetSafe”.
These new regulations mean that pets will no longer be allowed to be checked as baggage. They will need to fly as cargo which will be a bit more expensive.
However, United claims that the cost differences won’t be much greater than checking them as baggage would be. For example, the cargo rate for an animal that weighs between 10 and 50 pounds coming to the U.S. from Micronesia would be $309. A smaller animal would cost $259, United spokeswoman Mary Ryan says.
United says that they are picking up this program because of the many resources available for handling the pets in their care. Several pet transportation professionals have praised about this new adoption of the PetSafe program.
“They’re fantastic with their animals,” says Gay O’Brien, former president of the International Pet and Animal Transportation Association. “We’re all so pleased that United is picking that up.”
DogTV
It may sound a bit strange to think of your pets watching TV, but research shows that with the right programming DogTV can help relax your pets while you’re out of the house.
Dog TV launched in San Diego this week and is so far the only place that is airing the station.
The station includes over 800 programs, each only lasting three to five minutes, which is about how long the dogs attention span lasts. It is constantly showing new content to keep the dog engaged. It includes situations that are seemingly relaxing for the dog; car rides, runs around the park, dogs sleeping, etc.
For now the station is free to all cable subscribers but will eventually rise to a $5 monthly fee as its rating go up.
Cesar Millan say’s that when a dog is separated from their owner it is one of the most stressful things for them to go through. He went on to say this to Today.com, ”Don’t make a big production of leaving because it will raise their excitement level. Make sure they have their favorite toys – particularly ones that engage them. And if your dog is calm, let him kick back and watch all the TV he likes.”
It’s unclear whether or not our pets watching TV while we’re gone will help, but it can’t help to try it out.
Looking for Love in the Wrong Places?
No need to worry if you’ve chosen the right pet for you and your lifestyle anymore. Much like our online dating services like eHarmoney, Meet Your Match helps evaluate the shelter pets along with the people looking to adopt to ensure a perfect match.
Emily Weiss, vice president of shelter research and development for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, designed Meet Your Match, which is now used by shelters around the country.
Meet Your Match is designed to match personalities, energy level and needs of both the shelter pets and the people looking to adopt.
After answering a short 19 question survey, the people looking to adopt are given a color and matched with the appropriate pet, based on a color-coded program.
The pets are studied for about 15 minutes by staff members to see whether they lay down, jump around, curl up or whatever else they choose to do. They like to see how the pets play and interact to guarantee a good fit. The pets are then assigned a color- green, orange or purple-based on what the staff members picked up on.
The colors meanings differ between cats and dogs, seeing as they already have such different personalities.
When dogs are considered in the green category this means that the dog has a hyper, both physically and mentally constantly on the move type personality. Orange is a more go-with-the-flow kind of personality because they can be hyper and run around but they wouldn’t mind cuddling in bed with you. The purple is considered the easy going dog.
When cats are assigned in the green category this means that they are the adventurous ones that like to scurry around. Orange, again, are considered to have the go-with-the-flow lifestyle. Purple is best fit in a calm atmosphere, seeing as they require a less exciting lifestyle.
It’s easy to go into a shelter and base your decision off the way a dog looks or seems to act while you’re there but bringing them home could change things. Whether you bring the pet home to an extremely upbeat household with kids running in and out or to a more relaxed atmosphere with not a lot going on there’s no telling how the pet will react.
It’s important to keep in mind that while the appearance of the pet might attract you to it, you also need to figure out if it will fit with your lifestyle. Meet Your Match is an easy process to guarantee you leave with the perfect pet.
-This is all based on an article “Find puppy love (cats too) through Meet Your Match” written by Sue Manning.
Cooper with his Snuggle Puppy
Just home from the Snuggle Puppy Hospital, the Stork has delivered our new little Snuggle Puppy for Cooper and you can see that Cooper has taken to him right off.
From the warmth of the puppy to the beating heart, Cooper latched right onto this little Peluche as soon as we unwrapped it from the box it arrived in.
Snuggle Puppies and Snuggle Kitties are as amazing as I thought they would be and Cooper is no doubt in full agreement with me.
Cooper is never left alone long enough to have time to be lonely, scared or stressed, but has chosen to take this little puppy as his friend, and that speaks volumes for this product!
If Cooper likes this Snuggle Puppy your little one will surely like one too!
Cooper gives it 5 STARS!!!!
Spaymart
I just came upon this marvelous organization for abandoned and mistreated cats called Spaymart. Their sanctuary is located in Picayune, Mississippi on 27 acres with several spacious air-conditioned and heated buildings for some 300 cats.
Lynn Chiche and Pam Casey are the founders of this sanctuary and have been spaying and neutering up to 200 cats each month over the last 10 years and adopting some 300 cats a year out of their organization through various outlets such as Petco, Petsmart and others.
Visit their website at www.spaymart.org to learn more about their mission and to see how you can help with their goal of aiding in the placement of abandoned and misplaced animals. You can make a difference!
Honduras to Cebu Philippines
Kiwi, Paco and Mickey are in the process of getting all of their documents in order for their long journey from Roatan, Honduras to Cebu, Philippines. It is not an easy route for these three big kitties. There are no flights out of Roatan as the planes that fly out of there do not take pets internationally, only to TGU which is where we have to begin this trip. Pam is going to fly them from SAP to TGU on an early morning flight…but wait….this is after we flew travel crates down to them as there are not any travel crates available in Roatan for sale. Luckily Pam has a friend that was nice enough to bring the crates down as excess baggage after we had them drop shipped to her in Louisiana.
After Pam receives the kennels she will get the health certificates for her kitties, then send them to WPT for us to acquire the import permits from Malaysia. Once we have the import permits from Malaysia the kitties can fly.
They will fly from SAP to TGU early in the morning. They will then fly from TGU (still in Honduras) to IAH (Houston, Texas) where they will spend the night after they clear customs. On the following day they will be checked into another airline for a flight to MNL(Manilla) by way of AMS(Amsterdam). They will stop over in Amsterdam for approximately 8 hours so that they can get out and stretch a bit between flights. Here we will also try to get them to eat a bit before their connecting flight. They will then be put on another flight to MNL. They will fly through the night and arrive in Manilla at 9:55am. Once they have cleared customs they will again have a brief period to get out and stretch a bit before being put on yet another flight to Cebu which is their final destination. This is a short flight of only an hour or so.
Once the kitties arrive in Cebu, Pam will pick them up and all will be joyously reunited once again.
This is a very long trip for animals but with breaking it up like we do it is not difficult for them and they handle the move very well. They don’t really have jet lag because they get a lot of rest time in between flights. It has been proven that taking shorter flights with breaks in between are far better for animals than trying to do it in 1 or 2 long flights. The pets tend to get sick more often when pushed into the longer flights.
This should be a very successful trip.
Snugglekitties and Snugglepuppies
Snugglepuppies and Snugglekitties are the coolest thing I have seen in awhile. They are sure to capture the heart of your new little puppy or kitten!
These plush little pelucha's have a beating heart and are heated which make the puppies/kittens feel as though they are snuggling up to mom.
For those long drives when your dog is so uncomfortable in their kennel, this can offer them the comfort you cannot. They will snooze the whole trip!
Each Snuggle Kittie comes with a battery powered heart, to create the sensation of a live pet as well as the heater pak to provide warmth for your pet. Your pet will love it as they snuggle with their own little SnuggleKittie or SnugglePuppie.
Check out the website where you can order these for your little ones. They sell for a terrific price too!
Snuggle Puppies .... http://tinyurl.com/6to29nn
Snuggle Kitties ... http://tinyurl.com/833eekm
Future Animal Abusers Registry
We all see the heartbreaking animal abuse commercials and feel the hatred for the inhumane people that are responsible for the torture of the innocent animals.
We wish that there was more that we could do to help those helpless creatures.
Thanks to a movement that started in Suffolk County, New York, it may be possible soon. The objective of the movement is not only to cut down the amount of animal abuse, but to bring to light and prevent domestic abuse in the areas where you live.
One of the arguments for this movement is the proven fact that those that abuse animals are much more likely to escalate to domestic abuse at a older age.
The plan is to pass this law and have convicted animal abusers register online with a picture of themselves along with the address where they currently reside.
To date, Suffolk County, New York is the only one that has an active online registry, though it is currently a strong movement making progress in several other states.
Lillie Mae
It is with great sadness I post this. The very sweet but very large, Miss Lillie Mae died recently while living the life of Pura Vida with her family in Golfito area of Costa Rica.
Lillie Mae was a pot-bellied pig that was pushing 200 lbs. She was very loved by everyone that came in contact with her. She had a loving disposition and never met a stranger.
She moved to Costa Rica a few years ago from her home in Miami with her mom, Wendi and several other 4 legged friends.
The family has a finca near Golfita where Lillie lived very happy until her life was cut short by natural causes.
We will miss Lillie Mae!
Louisville to Abu Dhabi
Inari and Shadow made it to Abu Dhabi successfully last night. They left Louisville on Friday then went to Atlanta and boarded for the day before heading out to Abu Dhabi. They spend 24 hours in Amsterdam mid-flight where they had time to rest up and re-hydrate, get a little snack before getting on the last leg of their trip. They arrived at 21:00 UAE time which was approximately 12:00 noon EST here in the US.
The UAE runs about 9 hours ahead of us on the east coast so we have to get up early to talk to them before they close up for the evening.
As I stated in an earlier post, Inari and Shadow are going to board for a couple of weeks until Maria gets her housing arrangements in order as she hasn’t found a home yet that will allow pets. Hopefully she will be able to find a home soon and they will all be reunited sooner rather than later!
Take a break!
John and the kids taking a break
After a long week of moving pets around the world and back John decides to take a break with our 4 legged creatures.
Pictured here are Dooney, Bourke and of course our mascot, mini-Cooper 
Notice who is sleeping in the dog bed. I think maybe someone got their channels mixed a bit.
Dooney always has been the alpha male in this relationship.
Animal Transportation Association
World Pet Travel has joined forces with ATA (Animal Transportation Association) to improve the services we offer our clients.
ATA provides an important opportunity for individuals, businesses, organizations and groups involved in any phase of animal transportation to become part of an international effort to find solutions to a variety of problems related to the transport of animals. At the same time, members are linked to information, resources, contacts and key developments in the field that can help them provide better services and conditions for animals in transit.
We are excited about this new association and look forward to what it will bring to our clients.
Houston to Cape Town South Africa
Noche and Dia are in route from Houston, Texas to Cape Town South Africa to meet up with their mom and dad, Darren and Jen. They made a brief stop in Amsterdam to rest and rehydrate and play a bit before getting on their onward flight to Cape Town. Noche and Dia will arrive tonight where Estelle will greet them, clear customs and deliver them to their new home.
World Pet Travel acquired their import permits for them before they flew so it will be a quick release for them upon their arrival.
Another happy family reunited!
Tangle travels from Costa Rica to Vancouver
Angela,
THANK YOU!!!!! You are truly amazing!
Thank you to Andrea (and Merlin) for looking after Tangle, and all the work you have done to make this a reality.
I am currently running around with errands, but will try to reach you tomorrow.
Should I fail at reaching you… we wish you all the best for 2012!
Once more… thank you is not enough.
Cheers,
Kathy Chelew
6 Tips to Keep Your Dog Safe While Flying
Flying with your dog can be stressful. Here are six checklist items to keep the stress level down so both you and your dog can be happy travelers.
1. Bring a Kennel
First and foremost, buy an airline-approved crate and be sure that your dog thinks of this crate as his den. You may need to spend time getting your dog comfortable with being in his crate for long periods of time. There will also be a lot of loud noises on the plane and strange people walking around in the cargo-loading area. To prepare him for your trip, place your dog in the kennel and try carrying him in it by taking a drive to a park or busy location. This way, your dog can get used to loud noises and a busy environment while being handled inside his crate.
2. Outfit the Crate
There are certain items that you will want to place on the outside and inside of the crate to prepare it for travel:
- On the outside of the crate, attach a few bright orange stickers that read “LIVE ANIMAL.” Most airlines will do this as protocol, but it doesn’t hurt to have them on the crate before you arrive at the airport.
- Include a typed one-page profile of your dog that includes your contact information, including your cell phone number.
- Make sure water and food dishes are attached to the inside of the crate.
- Tape a small bag of food and a leash to the top of the crate.
3. Flight Time
To avoid plane changes or delays, check the length of the flight and try to book a direct flight when possible. It is important to match the length of the flight with your dog’s temperament and what you know he can handle. Whether your dog is being shipped as cargo or is riding in the cabin will help determine his experience during the flight.
4. Health Clearance
Before taking off, get a clean-bill-of-health certificate from your veterinarian. Your dog cannot fly without veterinarian records stating he is in good health. Most airlines require veterinarian health certificate records no more than 30 days out, while some require a certificate that is dated no more than 10 days before your departure date.
5. Exercise a Go-go
Every dog has a different energy level. A young Labrador runs on high octane and will need to expend this energy before being cooped up in his kennel for a long flight. An airport with an onsite dog area is a perfect place to play with your dog before placing him in his crate. This will also give him a good chance to relieve himself before the flight. But stay away from sedatives. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the Independent Pet and Animal Transportation Association (IPATA) say that sedation could lead to injury if your dog’s crate moves during the flight and your dog is not able to brace itself. The increased altitude may further cause respiratory and cardiovascular problems for sedated animals.
6. Nervous Nelly
You have decided to make the flight with your dog, but sometimes no matter how safe something seems, you may feel nervous sending your dog down into the belly of the plane. Even though you know the probability of nothing happening to him is in your favor, the separation and inability to see what his environment is like can be unnerving. Here are a few ways for both of you to keep your cool:
- Give plenty of reassuring hugs and kisses to your dog. When you’re calm and confident, your pet will follow your lead and realize there is nothing to worry about. If you’re emotional about the separation and the trip, your pet may pick up on it and become concerned about the adventure.
- Keep the mood light with a little preflight play to relieve any tension.
- If your dog is in cargo, ask the flight attendant to confirm that your dog is loaded and secure once you’re on board. They may be able to give your dog a little extra water in his dish before take-off.
I can’t imagine going anywhere without Tasha if I can help it. She adds so much to my adventures that I feel like something is missing if she’s not by my side. In Colorado, half the fun was seeing her play in the snow and bounce everywhere with excitement as if to say, “What’s next?! What’s next?!”
Taking the extra time to become mentally and practically prepared for a trip involving extra logistics will make all the difference to you and your dog.
Moscow, Russia to USA-Oklahoma
Justine the yorkie just finished her long journey from Moscow to Oklahoma City to meet up with mom, Elisa. Dad had to stay behind but will be following shortly to make this family complete.
Justine stayed with us for 4 nights in New York before she caught her flight to Oklahoma City. She was a delight to have in our care for the short time that we had her.
Los Angeles to Abu Dhabi
Tico and Fiji left San Diego last Thursday headed to Los Angeles for the night. Took their health certificates to the USDA to be endorsed before being checked into KLM for their flight to Amsterdam. All went well at check in. We had the import permit and all of the required documents as usual so all went smoothly at check in.
Cats arrived in Amsterdam on Saturday morning at the KLM pet hotel where they hung out for 24 hours. Gives them time to rest and rehydrate before they get to the 2nd leg of their journey. Both ate well during their stay in Amsterdam.
Sunday morning at 10:30 the flight took off for Abu Dhabi. Fiji and Tico arrived in Abu Dhabi at 20:50. After they cleared customs we delivered them to Page at her home in Abu Dhabi. She was very excited to see them. We hope to post her testimonial on the website soon along with a picture of the kids.
Costa Rica to Canada
Tangle is a blessed kitty cat. Her new family found her near Jaco which is a beach town on the Pacific side of Costa Rica. She is only 5 months old and was most likely left behind by someone that couldn’t take her with them when they left because she was in no way feral, was litter trained and very loving. The sad part was when they took her to have her spayed the vet found out that she was already pregnant with a litter of kittens.
Unfortunately after you put a cat under anesthesia the kittens die and there is nothing that can be done to reverse the process so Tangle lost this litter of kittens. The veterinarian spayed Tangle and she was on the mend when she tried to take the stitches out herself causing an infection to set in. So now she is on antibiotics.
Tangle will stay with World Pet Travel for a couple of weeks while she is on antibiotics then she will board a plane for Vancouver Canada when she will be reunited with her new owner, Kathy and begin her new life in Canada. I wish that every animal that is left behind was as lucky as this little one. Tangle definitely won the lottery!!
Home for Christmas
Angela and Wizard are home with Cindy for those following their journey. The MAG released them on Monday and they traveled to Nosara on Tuesday night so they would be better acclimated to the climate of Guanacaste. It is important to bring horses in during the cool of the night to give their bodies time to adjust to the heat of the Pacific Coast.
Cindy was very happy to receive her babies and promises to send pictures soon.
