For thousands of years, dogs have proven the popular adage that “Dogs are man’s best friends.” History itself is filled with tales of how these canine favorites have proven their worth to their human counterparts. The emotional bond between him and his master is undeniably strong especially if they have already spent considerable time together. As such, it is not uncommon for owners to bring their dogs wherever they go notwithstanding the required means and resources will be.
Bringing a favorite pooch on a trip entails careful planning. Hence, all the available options that should be considered including the cost of flying a dog so that the he will have a great time during the flight.
Average Cost of Flying a Dog
Dog owners only have the following options in flying their pets. The policies though would vary from airline to airline:
- In-cabin
This is available for small dogs and its pet carrier should fit under its owner’s seat. It should also stay inside the carrier throughout the entire duration of the flight. This option costs from $69 to $125 at an average but is only offered in some airlines.
Service dogs, which assist people with special needs, are issued with free tickets. They can also stay in the passenger cabin and sit at their owner’s feet. A medical certificate to this effect may be required to ensure hassle-free boarding process.
- Checked Baggage
Dogs which qualifies based on the airline requirements can travel on this option. Its average cost is from $175 to $250. Here, they are treated as baggage and will be placed at the cargo hold along with those of the other passengers.
- Manifest Cargo
As manifest cargo the pet carriers which contain the dogs are placed at the cargo hold and may or may not be in the same flight with that of the owner. If one asks, “How much does it cost to fly a dog?” the answer would be a bit much for this option. Among the other choices, this is considered one is a bit pricey. So like cargos, they can be picked up at designated areas in airports upon its arrival. Average price is $178 to $250.
Moreover, there is an airline that offers flights which cater exclusively to pets at a starting price of $99 for trips between New York City and the Baltimore and Washington, D.C., area.
- Chartered Flight
If one wants to travel with his dog in the cabin no matter what size it is, he can always opt to charter a private jet. That is if he is willing to shell out $4,000 to $33, 000 depending on the type of jet and the intended destination.
The Minimum Requirements to Fly a Dog
Like their humans, dogs also need their travel documents complied and presented before they are allowed to fly regardless of the type of flight accommodations they will be having.
- Pet Microchip
The United States does not require this. But in case the dogs and their owners get separated, they would really come in handy as long as their contact information has been registered before their departure. This could increase the cost of flying a dog if he has none yet.
Per recommendation, it should be a 15-digit ISO 11784 compliant microchip which is surgically embedded on dogs primarily for identification purposes in case they get lost and needs to be identified.
The average cost of inserting one would cost from $25 to $50. However, there are microchip clinics operated by humane societies which offers for as low as $10 to $15.
- Rabies Vaccination
For those dogs which have never been vaccinated, there is a 30-day waiting time after his rabies vaccination before its arrival. But for those older than 15 months and have already been vaccinated after its 3rd month, they only need booster shots and will not need to wait for 30 days.
Rabies vaccination costs from $15 to $20 in veterinary clinics. On the other hand, it is given free on animal shelters. However, this is not necessary if your dog comes from a country which the United States consider as rabies-free.
- Screwworm Treatment
Screwworm, which have been making a comeback in the US since it was eradicated in the 1960’s, is a flesh-eating worm which are hatched from flies. If the dog is coming from a country in the list where screwworm infestation is present, the owner should present a veterinarian’s certificate that it has been treated or has been cleared of the worms. This would by some means increase how much does it cost to fly a dog.
- Health Certificate
A completely signed veterinary certificate is needed. It should contain the type of animal, the dates of vaccinations, the manufacturer and the expiry date of the rabies vaccine. Its effectivity is within 10 days during transport only.
A health certificate can cost from $35 to $300.
- Kennel Requirements
Dogs can only travel as checked baggage or cargo when they are placed inside a USDA- approved shipping kennel. The structure must be leak-proof and must be well-ventilated on both sides. It should also have sufficient room for the dog to stand and sit erect without its head touching the top of the kennel. It also enable him to turn around and lie down naturally.
These kennels come in variety of designs and sizes depending on the needs of the dogs who will use them. They cost from $42.45 to $582.99 and should be considered in computing the cost of flying a dog.
Conclusion:
Adding everything from the flight tickets to the travel requirements of the dog, the total cost could rack up from $186 to $34,000 depending on the dog size, destination and other travel requirements.
How much does it cost to fly a dog? A determined owner would say, “A bit on the hefty side” but for sure, they wouldn’t care that much. Moreover, money spent on this effort is not an issue for true-blooded dog lovers who would not want to miss a day with their beloved pet.