According to the Air Transport Association, more than half a million dogs and cats are flown on commercial airlines each year. And 99 percent reach their destinations without incident. To avoid your beloved pet's being part of the heartbreaking one percent, familiarize yourself with the strict regulations and policies — federal, state and individual airline — that affect the air carriage of animals.

Be aware that not all airlines accept pets for travel, either in the cabin or below in the cargo bin. Carriers that do accept pets have their own transportation policies. Customers need to contact an airline directly when making travel plans for their pet. For a written document detailing information on pet flight policies, look on an airline's Web site.

Further, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture sets and enforces regulations for the transportation of live animals that apply to customers and their pets, as well as to the airlines. You must comply with the applicable laws, which are designed to ensure pet safety and comfort.

Air travel can be stressful on pets as well as owners, so plan ahead to minimize the unease of both.

CONSIDER OPTIONS

Some airlines will allow you to travel with a small pet in the cabin of the plane if your pet will fit in a carry-on kennel or approved carrier under a passenger seat. For animals other than dogs or cats, contact your airline for its acceptance policy. Note that carriers have very specific rules. For example, a pet cannot have an offensive odor, nor will it be allowed to disturb other passengers and must adhere to FAA rules. Also, the pet must remain in the carrying case throughout the entire flight.

A second option offered by many airlines is as "accompanied baggage," where your pet travels in the cargo hold alongside your checked luggage. Significant is that the airlines allow you to transport your pet as accompanied baggage only when you are a passenger traveling on the same flight as your pet.

A third option available through most airlines is to transport your pet as a "live animal" cargo shipment. In the cargo system, your pet travels either through regular cargo channels or special expedited delivery services that many airlines have developed. Pets in the cargo system are transported in the same pressurized holds as those in the checked-baggage system. Many airline cargo departments employ pet transportation specialists who can assist you with answers to questions.

These methods are deemed by air carriers to be safe and humane ways to transport pets. Check with your veterinarian and friends as to their experiences, then contact your airline directly to determine the most appropriate option.

PET TRAVEL