Open Letter: A Gamble no Owner Should Take
Dear Global Airlines,
Imagine this:
You are relocating internationally. It is already a complex undertaking, but when you add a pet with special needs into the equation, the process becomes exponentially more challenging, involving multiple veterinary checks and connecting flights. Reluctantly, do you change your plan of moving or leave your animal behind?
This happened to me every time my family moved. I have lived in multiple places across Asia, including Hong Kong, Singapore, and Shanghai. My own experiences flying with my flat-nosed dog, Bruno, have been stressful. When relocating from Hong Kong to Singapore, Bruno was boarded onto the wrong flight during a connection. Along with my experience, the stories I've heard, and the research I've done have convinced me that the current system is a gamble no pet owner should have to take.
According to the Department of Transportation, more than two million pets and live animals are transported by air in the United States. Yet, the process remains a confusing and often stressful ordeal due to inconsistent and unpredictable airline policies. In 2018, United Airlines implemented several new policies on its PetSafe programme, one being that the airline no longer accepted reservations for four cat breeds for their brachycephalic (short-nosed) characteristics. Despite the fact that these changes were made with the intent of safety, the regulations failed to consider individual health assessments of the animals. Additionally, the lack of prior communication and consultation with stakeholders left many feeling blindsided and frustrated.
With such an unpredictable and fragmented system governing international pet travel, can we guarantee a safe and stress-free journey, especially for our most vulnerable animal companions? As airlines frequently update their pet travel policies, have varying requirements depending on the airline, and often fail to inform veterinarians of the latest rules, they risk creating situations where veterinarians unknowingly approve pets that meet health standards but not the airline’s specific expectations, putting both liability and the animal’s safety at risk. Additionally, those flying with connections may experience an even harder time as requirements such as the size of crates vary between airlines. One day, your pet's crate meets regulations; the next, it's too tall, and you are out of options at the check-in counter.
I sincerely hope that individuals should be able to fly comfortably without the fear that their pet will not meet them at their destination. With this in mind, I am asking airlines to collaborate with veterinary organizations like the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Department of Transportation to develop a clear, unified set of pet travel guidelines, mentioning crate dimensions, required documents, and breed restrictions. I understand that implementing such changes may require investment and coordination. However, the safety and well-being of the animals entrusted to your care, and the peace of mind of their owners, are worth the effort. Let's work together to create a more humane and reliable system for pet air travel.
Signed With a Paw,
Senna
Work Cited
Romo, Vanessa. “United Airlines Will Ban Dozens Of Dog, Cat Breeds In New Pet Guidelines.” NPR, 2 May 2018, https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/05/02/607715987/united-airlines-will-ban-dozens-of-dog-cat-breeds-in-new-pet-guidelines. Accessed 23 Sept. 2026.