Flying with an 8 week old puppy...help!
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Body in the CLE, soul still in New England
Programs: In 2023? Does it matter? SPG/Marriott: Plat; DL: Plat; B6: Mosaic
Posts: 2,979
Flying with an 8 week old puppy...help!
Hi,
I am rescuing a 8 week old puppy, and I am picking him up tomorrow. Unfortunately, my 80 YO dad was just admitted to the hospital and has to have surgery. I don't know how long my dad will be incapacitated as the docs cannot get a full read on his situation until they open him up. I'm in Boston, my Dad is in Tampa. The puppy is a long distance adoption and is already enroute to BOS. I hate to immediately put him into foster or a kennel (and none of my friends can take a puppy). So, I'm thinking of flying from BOS to Tampa with the puppy and staying in TPA for a week or two.
I can get a direct on Jet Blue, flight time is 3:30...or a DL connection thru DTW that breaks the trip into approx 2 equal segments. I have status on both, don't mind paying for the fuzzy face.
It's my first puppy and first time attempting to fly with a pet...so I have no idea what I am doing. He's less than 10 pounds right now, so I think he will fit into a pet carrier.
Any recommendations on which airline is more pet friendly?
Easier to have 1 longer flight, or 2 shorter?
Anything I should do to make the flight go more smoothly?
I thought about driving, but it's 20 hours each way, and my Dad has a car here. So doesn't seem to make any sense
Any help is appreciated.
Thanks
I am rescuing a 8 week old puppy, and I am picking him up tomorrow. Unfortunately, my 80 YO dad was just admitted to the hospital and has to have surgery. I don't know how long my dad will be incapacitated as the docs cannot get a full read on his situation until they open him up. I'm in Boston, my Dad is in Tampa. The puppy is a long distance adoption and is already enroute to BOS. I hate to immediately put him into foster or a kennel (and none of my friends can take a puppy). So, I'm thinking of flying from BOS to Tampa with the puppy and staying in TPA for a week or two.
I can get a direct on Jet Blue, flight time is 3:30...or a DL connection thru DTW that breaks the trip into approx 2 equal segments. I have status on both, don't mind paying for the fuzzy face.
It's my first puppy and first time attempting to fly with a pet...so I have no idea what I am doing. He's less than 10 pounds right now, so I think he will fit into a pet carrier.
Any recommendations on which airline is more pet friendly?
Easier to have 1 longer flight, or 2 shorter?
Anything I should do to make the flight go more smoothly?
I thought about driving, but it's 20 hours each way, and my Dad has a car here. So doesn't seem to make any sense
Any help is appreciated.
Thanks
Last edited by navi_jen; Oct 27, 2018 at 11:25 am
#4
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: UA
Posts: 444
Sorry about your father.
How is the puppy being shipped to you? Cargo or being accompanyied in cabin. I do not mean to sound negative about your puppy but are you sure the puppy is healthy and the good health certificate is legit? I have volunteered for animal rescue since 2010 and am surprised that someone is shipping a puppy so young and there are some unethical rescues out there that fling puppies to wherever they can as long as they get paid.
Delta requires animals to be 10 weeks old, I did not see an exact age on Jet Blue. You need to make a reservation for the dog in cabin.
8 week old puppy does not have much of an immune system and only first shots. You need to think about what the puppy could be exposed to just by walking around. Where I live there has been a distemper outbreak and that can be lethal to puppies who are still getting their series of shots. Do you know when the puppy got the first shots?
I realize you are stressed but there is a lot to think about.
How is the puppy being shipped to you? Cargo or being accompanyied in cabin. I do not mean to sound negative about your puppy but are you sure the puppy is healthy and the good health certificate is legit? I have volunteered for animal rescue since 2010 and am surprised that someone is shipping a puppy so young and there are some unethical rescues out there that fling puppies to wherever they can as long as they get paid.
Delta requires animals to be 10 weeks old, I did not see an exact age on Jet Blue. You need to make a reservation for the dog in cabin.
8 week old puppy does not have much of an immune system and only first shots. You need to think about what the puppy could be exposed to just by walking around. Where I live there has been a distemper outbreak and that can be lethal to puppies who are still getting their series of shots. Do you know when the puppy got the first shots?
I realize you are stressed but there is a lot to think about.
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Body in the CLE, soul still in New England
Programs: In 2023? Does it matter? SPG/Marriott: Plat; DL: Plat; B6: Mosaic
Posts: 2,979
Hi Art, the puppy was driven up from AL...there are pictures in the OMNI Pet thread. The foster/vet guess he's about 8 weeks, he was found on the side of the road. I have the paperwork from the foster, and he started his meds on the 27th of September and has (I have the stamps): Panacur, Ponzuraril, Bortadella, Advecta, Nobivac DAPP (1, 2 and 3), Pyrantel, Strongid. I am planning to get him into my local vet this week for his first checkup.
Given the advice I received, I was planning (when I return to TPA) to go JetBlue...seems like they have animal space on most of their flights this week (and it's the shortest flight). I could drive down, but that would be a long 2 day trip with a puppy. Would that be recommended?
It just sucks....I have wanted a dog my entire adult life. And the week I finally get one, my dad lands in the hospital 2k miles away. Of all the luck. And I hate to do it, it will be stressful as h$ll for the little guy, but I don't know what else to do.
Given the advice I received, I was planning (when I return to TPA) to go JetBlue...seems like they have animal space on most of their flights this week (and it's the shortest flight). I could drive down, but that would be a long 2 day trip with a puppy. Would that be recommended?
It just sucks....I have wanted a dog my entire adult life. And the week I finally get one, my dad lands in the hospital 2k miles away. Of all the luck. And I hate to do it, it will be stressful as h$ll for the little guy, but I don't know what else to do.
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2000
Programs: DL FO, Marriott Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 12,003
That being said, I recommend the shortest flights possible using a Sherpa type bag and travel in cabin.
#8
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: UA
Posts: 444
From one rescue: The State of Massachusetts requires that all dogs entering the state must be quarantined for a minimum 48 hours per Animal Health Emergency Order, 1-AHO-05. This is required of all dogs entering the state, regardless of their health, age, vetting status, etc. (Note there is an exemption for shelters sending owner surrendered dogs from neighboring states in New England and New York).
And the order itself -- https://www.mass.gov/files/documents...Compliance.pdf
I am surprised that more states have not taken a hard line. The canine flu H3N2 originated in Asia, likely came with a rescue dog shipped from Korea to Chicago, infected dogs in Chicago, and has spread to many states. I have volunteered with a rescue, and there is a lot of cutting corners -- some rescues because of financial constraints, some from greed (ie puppy flippers).
But I agree Sherpa and short flights are the best.