Travel with Pets - Traveling with deceased pet?

I phoned AA trying to confirm if I could travel with my deceased cat but they responded that no airlines allow this and told me to call a taxidermist. Calling Virgin was a bit better, they stated that I could bring the animal if the TSA allows it. I haven't been able to obtain a response from the TSA, but I wanted to know if anyone here had ever traveled with a deceased animal and how they managed to do it--preferably on AA.

<edit>The cat is currently frozen and is being transported for burial so I'm looking to use either an insulated box or a cooler packed with gel ice bags.</edit>

you could check ups, etc...the usps will take creamated remains...

you could check ups, etc...the usps will take creamated remains...

I looked into FedEx, but since the cat is being shipped for burial, the cost of shipping overnight with dry ice was surprisingly expensive--almost 2/3 of the cost of my round trip ticket. When I add in the cost of an insulated mailer and dry ice, my RT flight is actually less. Since I would be flying anyway, if I could take him has checked baggage, this would simplify the logistics greatly and would be a lot cheaper.

Many airlines will allow cremated remains, so if that is something you would be willing to consider, that's your best bet. Otherwise, I would check with other airlines directly and not just take AA's word for it that they don't take dead pets.

I don't think it's up to TSA to decide if the carcass can fly; as long as it's properly screened, the airline would decide. There are a few obstacles, one being that dead animals, no matter how well-iced, are in the process of decay and many consider them to be along the lines of medical waste. An airline would be within its rights to decline to transport medical waste or anything else that may be hazardous materials. You can't give it the same standard of care/packing/etc that a food item would get, as the food item (say, a turkey) probably was frozen solid without its innards (and the decay and nasty toxins often lurk in the guts) but the pet didn't have the same manner of death or preparation. So just because you can theoretically take a turkey in checked baggage in a nice cooler with gel packs, doesn't mean you can take a cat. Dry ice itself can be hazardous if mis-handled. And then you have to plan for the unthinkable, that there is a MX delay and the carcass and the other cargo sits on the tarmac, without climate control, for 4hours....

If FedEx will take it, I'd pay the price and let them handle it; you can then have a better expectation that there won't be any delays. The money would be worth it to me just for not having to worry that a delay is going to cause my cat to melt. Otherwise, local cremation is probably the better alternative as there are too many variables to getting from A to B without incident, and at an already emotional time, I'd imagine the OP doesn't want last minute hassles or surprises. Finally, it may be a good idea to consult with your vet, who may have more experience with the ways a deceased pet needs to be prepared for shipping, to comply with health department regulations, as I'd be surprised if there's not some sort of certification required; after all, I don't think the airline should take a passenger's word for it that the animal died of natural causes and not some sort of transmittable, infectious disease.

No advice, but I want to say I'm sorry for your loss.

Sorry for your loss.

If you overnight it you don't need to pack it in dry ice. If it's frozen and you take it out as late as you can in the afternoon to still make the fedex pickup, pack it in an insulated container (like the kind Omaha Steaks come in) with a couple of gel packs (though they aren't even needed) it will stay frozen until it's delivered the next morning. Same thing if you want to check it as luggage. Once you start messing with dry ice a whole new mess of rules comes into play, and unless the trip is a very long one, it's not really necessary.

Freeze it, tag it and bag it! It should sail through the TSA in your checked luggage ...

I don't think you need to ship on dry ice. Just freeze it in the deep freezer prior to shipment, it should arrive in fine shape with FedEx Express 2-Day service.

I get grass-fed beef this way from Idaho all the time with no issues.

Did I mention that this is the weirdest thing I've ever read on this site?

Please continue to follow this thread in the Travel With Pets Forum.
Thanks...
Obscure2k
TravelBuzz Moderator

Sorry for the loss..:(

I would call the airline for procedures and prices.

I don't have any advice either, but I wanted to tell you that I'm very sorry for your loss.