On May 13, 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued its final ruling associated with the importation of dogs into the United States to provide clarity and safeguards that address the public health risk of dog-maintained rabies virus variant (DMRVV).

This final rule addresses the importation of cats as part of overall changes to the regulations affecting both dogs and cats, but the final rule does not require that imported cats be accompanied by proof of rabies vaccination and does not substantively change how cats are imported into the United States.

On March 8, 2024, Alaska Airlines Flight 1423 departed Los Cabos, Mexico and arrived in Portland, Oregon with its cargo door unsealed and cracked open.

The cargo hold was transporting passenger's pets, thankfully none of the animals were injured.

The Alaska Airlines maintenance team inspected the aircraft, replaced a spring in the door, tested it and reentered it into service. This is a Boeing 737-800 (twin-jet) B738, Tail Number N513AS.

Just weeks after a door plug blew off mid-air during Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 from Portland, Oregon to Ontario, California, Alaska Airlines sued Boeing for $1B over plane safety.

On August 18, 2023, Paula Rodriguez was traveling with her dog, Maia, with a layover in Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport where she was being transported (to the plane) on the runway, and staff had opened her kennel, and she had escaped into the middle of the runway.

Ever since Maia went missing, animal lover Robin Allgood, an Atlanta resident who works to find lost dogs has put up flyers around the airport for Maia.

More than three weeks later, on Saturday, September 9th, a FedEx employee recognized Maia from the flyers and informed Robin about the discovery. Maia was found near the airport's North Cargo facilities under a rack used to move big cargo containers around the airport. After a wildlife biologist failed to catch Maia with a net, Robin Allgood was able to grab her while scooting on her back under the rack.

Delta is currently working on reuniting Paula and Maia!

There is currently a lost dog at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

As of August 18,2023, Maia, a female black & white mix dog is still missing.

You can read the full story with pictures of Maia from Atlanta News First and View From The Wing

We hope that Maia is found soon and is returned to her owner safe and sound.

The PetFlight Family

The overall number of pet related travel incidents decreased in 2022, with 9 incidents being reported compared to 21 in 2021.

Have you ever wondered how your veterinarian knows if your pet can wait to be seen or requires immediate care? In the veterinary world, a pet is evaluated by staff using triage. Triage means the nurse does a brief evaluation to assess if the pet requires immediate care or can wait to see the veterinarian after a wait.

Back on June 24th, when an army family arrived in Boston from Germany after their 15 years of service overseas, their cat Rowdy, a beautiful female four-year-old black cat with green eyes, somehow escaped her kennel in pursuit of some birds.

The overall number of pet related travel incidents increased in 2021, with 21 incidents being reported compared to 10 in 2020.

The overall number of pet related travel incidents decreased in 2020, with 10 incidents being reported compared to 19 in 2019.

The overall number of pet related travel incidents increased in 2019, with 19 incidents being reported compared to 17 in 2018.

The overall number of pet related travel incidents decreased in 2018, with 17 incidents being reported compared to 40 in 2017.

The overall number of pet related travel incidents decreased in 2017, with 40 incidents being reported compared to 63 in 2016.

The overall number of reported pet related travel incidents decreased in 2016. Six airlines reported a total of 63 pet deaths, injuries and losses. This is an decrease over the 64 incidents reported in 2015.

The overall number or or reported pet related travel incidents increased in 2015. Six airlines reported a total of 63 pet deaths, injuries and losses. This is an increase over the 45 incidents reported in 2014.

The number of pet related airline incidents increased in 2014. Six airlines reported 16 pet deaths (down from 21 in 2013), 25 pet injuries and 3 pet losses. This is a total of 44 incidents in 2014 compared to 42 in 2013.

The U.S. Department of Transportation has announced new reporting requirements for U.S. based airlines. The new ruling expands the definition of animals to include all cats and dogs transported by the airline. The previous rules did not apply to breeders.

The number of pet related airline incidents declined in 2013. Six airlines reported 21 pet deaths, 14 injuries and 7 lost pets. This is a total of 42 incidents in 2013 compared to 55 incidents in 2012.

Effective June 9th 2012, Delta is no longer allowing bets to be transported in the cargo hold of Boeing 767 aircraft. This includes both pets as cargo and checked baggage.

A 14 month old Rhodesian Ridgeback named Byrdie escaped from her kennel while being loaded on a Delta Airlines flight at La Guardia International Airport. The dog's owner was taken off the plane and was able to quickly get Byrdie to come to her.

This is another great reminder of how important it is to secure the top and bottom half of your pet's kennel with zip ties, along with securing the kennel door with zip ties as well.

The number of pet related airline incidents declined in 2011. Six airlines reported incidents that included 36 pet deaths, 8 injuries, and 2 lost pets. With a total of 46 incidents being reported in 2011 compared to 56 incidents reported in 2010.

PetsJets is a unique service that provides a personal escort for pets small enough to be carried on the plane.

Craig D. Anapol started the company PetsJets, because of his love of animals and awareness of the need for such a service. PetsJets provides a way for people to safely transport their pets, small enough to be carried onboard, and know they'll have a personal escort with them every second of the trip.

UPDATE
Jack has been found!

PetFlight is helping spread the word about Jack, a cat who was lost at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York on August 25, 2011.

Jack was flying out of JFK, but never made it on the plane.

The number of pet related airline incidents climbed in 2010. Ten airlines reported incidents that included 39 pet deaths, 12 injuries, and 5 lost pets. With a total of 56 incidents being reported in 2010 compared to the 32 incidents reported in 2009.

While vacationing in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, Josiah Allen and his girlfriend found and took in a stray they named Paco.

Before leaving for home in Canada, Josiah took Paco to a local vet and had him vaccinated and treated for ticks in preparation for taking Paco back with them.

At PetFlight we focus on taking your pet with you when you travel, but what happens when you have to leave your pet at home? On a recent business trip to Boston, Massachusetts I had the pleasure of staying at the Fairmont Copley Plaza where they offer a unique program for those that miss their dogs.

As some of you may know, Brent is a Career Changed, Guide Dog for the Blind dog, that has been my full time pet since the spring of 2005. The inspiration for PetFlight, Brent is now approaching seven years old, but still leads a full life of sleeping, hiking, the occasional swim, and then more sleeping. A few weeks ago I noticed a bump on the tip of his tongue. It was not very big, just about the size of a small pea and was the same color of his tongue.

Pets can now fly on Southwest Airlines. As of June 1st, 2009 Southwest allows pets to travel in-cabin. There is a two pet per person limit and each pets counts toward your carry-on allowance.

A wonderful picture taken by Roman Fleysher. Your dogs won't...

On Wednesday, September 15th 2005 both Delta Airlines and Northwest Airlines filed for bankruptcy court protection from creditors. What does this mean for you and your pet's travel?

Sec. 41721. Reports by carriers on incidents involving animals during air transport

A reader tells us about her troubles shipping her pet to Mexico...

Section 710 of the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century (“AIR-21”; P.L. 106-81) requires U.S. airlines that perform scheduled passenger transportation to file reports with the Department concerning incidents involving the loss, injury or death of animals during air transportation.