Frequently asked questions:

• Why should I use PETFLIGHT?

• Canadian import regulations concerning animals

• Don't you fly Scorpions? Snakes? Rabbits? Fish? Chickens? Tigers? Horses? and 12 foot domesticated pet Alligators named "Elvis"?

• I want it cheaper than the $50 that I got one airline to quote me.

• I want to travel in the cargo hold with my pet!

• I want my pet tranquilized.

• The airline said my dog can fly on the seat next to mine!

• I want my week old puppy to fly to my Aunt

• Your pet might not fly if...

• Where does my pet stay before the flight?

• Have you got your own planes?

As a direct result of 9/11, the airlines instituted a 24 hour security hold, and required only "known shippers" fly any cargo, including pets, (we are a known shipper). Petflight observes the full 24 hour (or more) security hold period before sending any pets on a flight.

WHY SHOULD I USE PETFLIGHT?
Our service from Toronto depends greatly on the destination, and can include: scrutinizing overseas documents, consular services, advise regarding destination problems, cage modifications, quarantine liaison, overnighting, and longer term outbound boarding, documentation, department of agriculture booking and attendance, veterinarian liaison, overseas receiver liaison, pickup and delivery, general caging, preflight stress management, and flight routing. We do not give animals any tranquillizers. Should you chose our service, you will be required to sign a waiver form which brings this, again, to your attention. Whether you fly with your pet, or you use our service, the airline places your pet in an area in the belly of the plane which is climate controlled, and pressurized. Some aircraft cannot take live cargo on certain flights because this area not available.

Placement: We do not offer a placement agency for pets, nor do we sell pets. If you are unable to move your pet, either through our service, or on your own, cannot board, or give your pet to another family member, neighbor, client, fellow employee, can't advertise a "...free give away pet to loving home...", etc., we can only advise you contact the local animal shelter, and we point you to these North American sites:

CANADIAN IMPORT REGULATIONS CONCERNING ANIMALS:
Please know that we are not a free information service. You can do all that we do, yourself; but like using a dentist to extract wisdom teeth, or a lawyer to defend against jail time, we are expert at arranging the movement of the family members you call pet cats and dogs. We do offer the following link for acts regarding the importation of animals into Canada: Government of . Please know that CITES Certificates, and Import Permits are required for animals other than cats, and dogs for entry into Canada. Please refer to regional departments of agriculture for information on these.

PETFLIGHT ARRANGES FLIGHT OF ONLY DOGS AND CATS
The policies concerning the import and export of cats and dogs worldwide is (in most cases) really quite extensive and stringently regulated - those sets of laws concerning the flight of other domesticated and non-domesticated wildlife are even more so (how they are handled, whether the additional cost of a "qualified handler" on the flight is needed, legal cage/kennel/box/bag/stall requirements) - we limit our expertise to dogs and cats.

I WANT THE CHEAPEST RATE
Should you chose to fly with your pet, the airline has a special rate which you should ask for as "excess baggage". For some destinations this would be a viable solution, for others, it would not - you must ask that specific airline directly, not the travel agent. Please remember the caution that there are import restrictions on many countries (so do not turn up with your cat under your arm, and expect the airline to accommodate you). During extreme temperature differentials of Summer and Winter, or transiting such countries, the airlines have the right to "embargo" (cancel flight of) pets from a flight - which you will agree is most aggravating if you arranged your pet's flight yourself. When your pet travels alone, it enters the cargo system, which is where the rate charged reflects the amount of work, and care that the airline must give for "live cargo". We quote local pickup in/around Toronto, being familiar with the requirements of the destination country your pet is traveling to, and supervising the proper completion of those documents, buying the appropriate sized kennel, booking and arranging flight with a recognized airline of our choice. We do not book quarantine space. Our initial "price indication" is just that - we may have to adjust that "indication" if (but not limited to): the work entailed becomes more than initially advised to us, the size of the cage must change (for whatever reason), documentation provided to Petflight will not meet the destination country's requirements, additional boarding (for whatever reason) becomes necessary, additional local transportation of the pet becomes necessary.

PAYMENT: Prepayment is required in full (cash or certified cheque only), and we cannot accept instructions to pay vets' fees - these must be dealt with directly with the vet in question.

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I WANT TO TRAVEL WITH MY PET IN THE CARGO HOLD!
NO, you cannot fly in the cargo hold with your pet - this is a restricted area, and besides, there's no peanuts, or in-flight movie. We have already explained to you that there are many countries for whom import permits, and regulations must be complied with. Some routings would not be suitable for your pet, and so, you must carefully consider your options before committing yourself, and your pet, to this. Check with the airline concerned first - if it is not viable, then we may be able to assist your pet, and you.

MY PET IS PARTICULARLY UPSET IN A CAGE, I WANT TO TRANQUILLIZE HIM/HER BEFORE THE FLIGHT
PETFLIGHT will not tranquillize any animals, and will not accept any that are tranquillized. Enlightened veterinarians who have worked closely with airlines, have discovered that tranquillized animals can suffer respiratory and blood pressure difficulties, which can lead to death. All pets coming into our service have at least 1 night in the transit kennels here in Toronto prior to flight. They are (of course) kept in larger accommodation than their flight kennels, fed, watered, kept in a peaceful environment, and dogs are walked. On the flight day, the pet is put into it's flight kennel with lots of iced water, and paper bedding (for it's comfort and health), collars and leashes are removed and taped to the top of the kennel, and we get the pet to the airport at the time required by the airline. In many cases, this is several hours ahead of the flight, which gives the pet a good time to look around, and adjust themselves to their impending adventure. In each case, we have found that the pets no longer show signs of apprehension before we leave them in the hands of the airline, the pet's name is on the kennel, and the airline personnel do actually call them by their names (which also reassures the pet) once in the darkened area of the aircraft, pets will generally think it is night-time and fall asleep, since we make their kennels comfortable for them.

I WANT MY PET TO FLY WITH ME IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT
Please remember that most countries require import permits, and some countries do not allow entry of pets at all. Some airlines will allow pets in the cabin - you must contact the airline of your choice direct, and be guided by them. We understand that the pet concerned has to travel in the space under the seat, so a Great Dane isn't going to fit! And finally, consider the other passengers who must sit with your barking dog for hours.

I'VE GOT A REAL CUTE 2 WEEK OLD PUPPY I WANT TO FLY TO MY AUNT
PETFLIGHT will not send kittens, and puppies under 6 months old (the airlines might, but we do not) - there are just too many unknown factors in flying kittens, and puppies under this age. We suggest that they do not fly until old enough, and they have had all their shots (which is not until they are about 6 months). For overseas flights, pets must be one year, or older - there is no maximum on the age for our service.

YOUR PET MIGHT NOT FLY IF:
These are some of the reasons why your pet may not be allowed to fly:

An "embargo" will stop the flight of your pet. Overly hot, or cold conditions mean that the airline concerned will refuse to fly your pet until a more temperate climate ensues. Heavy traffic conditions will cause an embargo - regularly, Christmas rush traffic. PETFLIGHT closes December 7th to January 15th because of this. Incomplete documentation to the importing countries' specifications will certainly stop flight of your pet, and regularly cause far greater costs in boarding and quarantining your pet while these are done to specification. If you are adamant that you do the documentation yourself, you run the very real risk of prohibitively high costs at the destination. For PETFLIGHT to be involved, we must receive copies of permits, and permit requirements as soon as they are received by the family. The cage must be up to IATA regulations which specifies the construction, and allowances for the pet's height and length within. The airline can refuse to fly your pet if not presented up to code. Some countries require modifications before accepting a caged pet (if these are not complied with, the pet can be held either at origin, or even some transfer country en-route). This is why we insist on using brand new cages, for each individual pet (the cage is yours to keep - we can not accept returns), and we have had enough experience to know what countries require what size, manufacture, and additional requirements for each kennel for what size pet.

WHERE DOES MY PET STAY BEFORE THE FLIGHT?
The transit kennel we prefer is a Veterinarian hospital that is located fairly close to the airport. For your pet's stress relief and comfort, and also for airline security reasons, we deliver your pet there during weekdays at least 24 hours prior to flight. For owners who must leave their pets professionally cared for, for longer durations, we use Club Bekkers Kennels in Oakville (a very large and impressive pet boarding facility just 30 minutes from the airport), and we ask that you arrange for your dog or cat's stay there on your own Visa.

HAVE YOU GOT YOUR OWN PLANES?
NO!!  If you want us to rent an entire jumbo jet for your pets' additional comfort, we will happily advise you the cost - as usual our terms are cash up front.