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Speak Up

Q: Do you think it's still safe to ship a pet by air?

- S.P., via e-mail

A: I have put pets on airlines for trips across the country and halfway around the world, and have never had a bad experience.

That said, I'm not really keen on the idea of putting one of my pets on a plane right now, with the airline industry in such a mess.

After all, the fact that the overwhelming number of pets arrive safely isn't of much comfort if your pet has a problem.

The pet owners who probably will still be happy with air travel are those with pets small enough to fit in a carry-on pet bag. If the carry-on option isn't available, your pet will have to fly in the baggage compartment, which means his safety is in someone else's hands.

If you decide to fly with your pet, here are some things to do to help minimize the risk:

* Talk to the airline well in advance. Some carriers, especially the no-frills companies, don't take animals at all. Even those that do may have limits on the number of animals on a flight. You also need to know where and when your pet has to be presented, and what papers - health certificate and so on - you need to bring.

* Be sure your pet is in good health. Air travel isn't recommended for elderly or ill animals, and is likewise ill-advised for short-nosed dogs or cats. These animals find breathing a little difficult under the best of circumstances, and the stress of airline travel may be more than they can handle.

* Choose a pet carrier designed for air travel. If your pet will travel in the baggage compartment, the crate should be just big enough for him to stand up and turn around in.

Check and double-check that all the bolts securing the halves of the carrier are in place and tightened. Bring zip-ties to the airport to secure the door after your pet is in, with the help of airline personnel.

* While your pet cannot wear a collar in his crate - it's not safe because it can get hung up - put an ID tag on a piece of elastic around his neck.

Be sure the crate has contact phone numbers for both ends of the journey prominently displayed.

- Gina Spadafori