In Cabin Flight Service for Dogs in Canada

[HelloHockeyFans]

Does anyone know of any companies that provide this service? Air Canada and Westjet both allow dogs in the cabin provided they fit under the seat, which means very small dogs only and unfortunately, my dog wouldn't fit. Shipping my dog in the baggage compartment is a last resort and something I'd like to avoid if possible.

Pet Airways ( http://www.petairways.com/ ) provides this service, and there was actually an article about a year old (http://www.cbc.ca/consumer/story/200...-airlines.html) that mentioned they had plans to expand into Canada in 2010, but there's nothing on their website. I'm waiting for a reply from their customer service department.

I'm actually quite surprised there aren't a couple companies in Canada yet that provide this. People have proved to be much less conservative when it comes to spending on their pets and I think if they had the opportunity, would take their pets along on vacations more often.

[Cowperson]

An unrelated sidebar, two of John Travolta's dogs run over at the Bangor airport recently while being walked on the tarmac . . . .

http://news-briefs.ew.com/2010/05/18...maine-airport/

Not sure if the walker was a professional. Travolta flies his own 707 around.

Cowperson

[chid]

Why the aversion to the Animal in Hold? Just curious

[HelloHockeyFans]

Originally Posted by chid

Why the aversion to the Animal in Hold? Just curious

My dog is great, but gets a little anxious when placed in a kennel. I imagine it to be quite loud as well in the baggage area at the bottom of the plane and coupled with being confined in a kennel would make her quite anxious.

[chid]

ah yeah, I can understand that, if your dog hasn't been crate trained that can be quite stressful. It is loud, however they don't experience as much turbulence as they are (at least on West Jet) right under the pilot in a temp regulated / insulated hold. Its unfortunate that if there are empty seats on the airline one couldn't just bring their dog in the cabin.

[FurnaceFace]

Originally Posted by chid

temp regulated / insulated hold.

I wish they had these for kids.

To the OP, have you asked your vet for advice? They might suggest a calming "drug" of some description which would make the trip better.

[Zevo]

If you end up haveing to put your dog in the cargo hold, talk to your vet about sedating him/her. It works wonders. Or you could just give the dog a gravol to make him/her nice and sleepy.

Edit: FF beat me to it.

[HelloHockeyFans]

I believe both Air Canada and Westjet do not allow pets to be sedated before flying for health/safety reasons.

[Bertuzzied]

Hey are you taking your shiba for a trip?

I was thinking of taking mine to Vancouver/Seattle next week but i think she would have a heart attack in the cargo hold of a plane.

[HelloHockeyFans]

Heart attack is definitely a concern. Shibas in general are a little high-strung to begin with and when nervous/anxious/frightened, have their heart rate leap enormously which is my worry and probably yours as well.

[longsuffering]

My dog - who isn't too fond of his crate - flew from Baku, Azerbaijan to Calgary via Frankfurt and emerged unscathed, happy and healthy. No doggie drugs neither. Of course he was watered and walked in Frankfurt during his 8 hour layover.

I will say that for what it cost, he SHOULD have been sitting in the cabin with me!

I think you may be thinking with your heart rather than your head here. Your dog will be fine in the hold.

[Zevo]

Originally Posted by HelloHockeyFans

I believe both Air Canada and Westjet do not allow pets to be sedated before flying for health/safety reasons.

If it was something mild that reduced stress, they would never know. She doesn't have to be drooling or barely able to walk. Just something like a doggy valium.

[normtwofinger]

Vets say it's dangerous to sedate your dog before a flight because of it affects their blood pressure and it can become dangerously low. We moving to Costa Rica and taking our dog with us.

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by HelloHockeyFans

Heart attack is definitely a concern. Shibas in general are a little high-strung to begin with and when nervous/anxious/frightened, have their heart rate leap enormously which is my worry and probably yours as well.

How big is your shiba? Mine is 17lbs and should fit under the seat comfortably.

[HelloHockeyFans]

Originally Posted by Bertuzzied

How big is your shiba? Mine is 17lbs and should fit under the seat comfortably.

There is a 22 lb (pet and carrier) limit on Air Canada and Westjet. Also:

Your pet must be able to stand, lie down and turn around in the kennel.

I'm not sure how any Shiba unless it's less than a year old, would be able to stand up underneath the seat in front.

[troutman]

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by HelloHockeyFans

There is a 22 lb (pet and carrier) limit on Air Canada and Westjet. Also:



I'm not sure how any Shiba unless it's less than a year old, would be able to stand up underneath the seat in front.

Oh you have to have the dog in a kennel? hehe

I just thought she could just sit under there. I stopped doing much research when i found out the only hotel in the area, where we wanted to stay, that would allow pets was $276/nite.

[HelloHockeyFans]

Originally Posted by Bertuzzied

Oh you have to have the dog in a kennel? hehe

I just thought she could just sit under there. I stopped doing much research when i found out the only hotel in the area, where we wanted to stay, that would allow pets was $276/nite.

Might want to look more into the details if you plan on bringing your dog with you on to a plane...

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by HelloHockeyFans

Might want to look more into the details if you plan on bringing your dog with you on to a plane...

$276/nite in a hotel kinda halted any sort of fact checking.

[chid]

Your dog CAN be sedated but West Jet requires a Vet note if that is the case.