PetSugar

The Scoop: Woman Pays $32,000 to Fly With Her Dog

PetSugar — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 11:45:54 -0700

Nope, I didn't tack on some extra zeros - one woman paid $32 grand to fly her beloved Boxer (not shown here) in the cabin with her, business class no less. We know that air fees can add up, but an Israeli woman identified as Rivkah paid for the whole compartment to carry "Orchuk," his vet, and herself from Paris to Tel Aviv on Airline El Al. While she wouldn't discuss the price, Rivkah said:

He is my child, not a dog. And he deserves the best.

Do you think this news is plain nuts or, if you had the cash and the pull, would you make it happen, too?

Fur Flyin' High: Follow This Timeline For Air Travel With Pets

PetSugar — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 08:30:56 -0700

No matter what part of the plane your pet will travel in, check out my seven-step timeline to fly the friendly skies. Even if you're not heading out in a big ol' jet airliner, several of these are good tips to remember when traveling by car - follow along when you start this slideshow!

View Slideshow ›

Pay As You Go: Check Out My Handy Chart of Airlines' Pet Fees

PetSugar — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 14:40:10 -0700

For most of us - the most that wouldn't have hundreds of dollars to spare, won't take multiple trips a season or don't own a private jet - the price of air travel with pets can prohibit inclusion of furry friends in all but the most important of situations (like relocation). If you're wondering how much it will cost to include a pet on your next trip, I've gathered up the prices for the major airlines. How much will you pay as you go? Find out the one-way rates in the chart below.

Airline	In-Cabin	Checked Baggage	As Cargo
AirTran	$69	n/a	n/a
Alaska	$100	$100	n/a
American	$100	$150	n/a
Continental	$125	n/a	800-575-3335
Delta	$100	$175	$179–$689
Frontier	n/a	$100–$200	n/a
JetBlue	$100	n/a	n/a

See the rest of the chart when you read more.

Airline	In-Cabin	Checked Baggage	As Cargo
Midwest	$125	$150	n/a
Southwest	$75	n/a	n/a
Spirit	$100	n/a	n/a
United	$125–$175	$175–$500	800-822-2746
US Airways	$100	800-428-2966	n/a
Virgin America	$100	n/a	n/a

(If a phone number is listed, you'll need to call a representative who can give you the current rates for your pet's type, weight, kennel size, and destination.)

How Have Your Furry Friends Flown the Friendly Skies?

PetSugar — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 15:30:15 -0700

One if by land, two if by sea, one place for pup, a different for me? Taking a plane ride can be difficult for pets - especially those nonfrequent fliers and ones that can't ride at your feet. To kick off our flying high week, let's dish on your pampered pals: in which part of the aircraft do they travel?

The Scoop: JetBlue Unveils JetPaws Program

PetSugar — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 04:30:54 -0800

JetBlue wants your furry friends to fly the friendly skies! The airline (which saddened us by raising prices earlier this year), just announced a brand-new program for jetting with your pet. In addition to a downloadable Travel Pettiquette guide, as part of the new JetPaws, customers will receive two TrueBlue customer loyalty program bonus points for each trip – that way your furball can help you earn frequent flier points, whether or not they're invited next time! Also noteworthy is JetBlue's new pet product line – they've got a travel carrier and separate kit (blankie, bone, and travel dish) co-designed by the founder of Jazzy Park Avenue Dog products (and New York Post columnist), Cindy Adams, and some pretty adorable pet shirts, too.

I Need Your Help... Should I Fly My Puppy in Cargo?

PetSugar — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 00:30:49 -0800

Just in time for the Thanksgiving holiday, a TeamSugar user needs our help! I know Helly1211 isn't the only one with concerns about flying a precious pet in the cargo area of the airplane so I'm putting her question out for the group. She writes:

We'd like to take our puppy home with us for the holidays – she'll be five months old at the time of the flight and, since she's 14 pounds already, I know she will exceed the 15 pound weight limit to carry a pet on board . . . meaning she'll have to fly with the cargo.

I've called the airline and they've explained to me that Northwest has pet agents who are with the animal until the flight takes off, secure them in their kennels, make sure they have water/food, and be certain that pets are the last to board and the first off the flight. Also, their cargo cabins are pressurized, have ventilation, and are temperature controlled. We're taking a direct four-hour flight so there are no layovers, though there could be delays. Our puppy is crate-trained and is not scared of many things (fine in car rides, OK around loud noises, etc.).

Get the rest of this story – and comment – when you read more.

I do not want to traumatize or put her in danger so I'm not sure if we should fly with her or not. Part of me thinks there's a good chance she will sleep through the whole flight and be just fine, the other part of me is worried she won't do well and will be trapped in her kennel for hours wondering where her owners are! I'd love to hear from anyone who has flown with their pets in cargo. Thanks!

The Scoop: JetBlue Doubles Prices for Underseat Pets

PetSugar — Fri, 23 May 2008 00:30:15 -0700

All this talk of what the airlines are charging for the details, got me thinking about my lil detail, North. He loves being included in my life – and lets me know when he doesn't feel that way – but, boy, can the price of plane tickets get us down! When looking into a summer trip with my pooch this week, I realized a very shocking (and troubling) fact: JetBlue has doubled the price of a cabin pet from $50 to $100. I spoke with a representative from the airline's corporate communications department who shared some information on this change. Learn what I found out when you read more.

On May 1, 2008, the nonrefundable fee for a high-flying pet became $100 each way. This airline still only allows small pets – weighing up to 20 pounds inside a carrier – to travel under the seat counting as your "personal item." The price change was part of an effort to combat the continual rise in the cost of operation – I was told that a lot of thought was put into this decision, and it could be considered a last resort as the industry is encountering a unique environment because of the price of fuel these days.

The news hits pretty hard, especially considering this airline is known for having some of the lowest one-way fares around – $100 each way could very well put your pet's ticket cost over that of your own! I can definitely understand bringing a doggie or kitty onboard for a big holiday or important trip, but this price point makes it often cheaper and easier to keep pets grounded at a fab boarding facility instead. What do you think? Share your opinions in the comments below.

Source

The Scoop: High-Flying Kitty

PetSugar — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 17:45:20 -0800

When ten-month-old tabby, Gracie Mae, went missing from her home in Ft. Lauderdale, her owner began looking everywhere, including having her father remove parts of the bathroom tiles and cabinet to look into a small crawl space. Kelly Levy's husband, Seth, had just left on a flight from Ft. Lauderdale to Dallas-Fort Worth and she learned that he also lost something – his black suitcase.

Flash forward to the next morning – right before Kelly was about to put up missing pet signs around the neighborhood, she received a shocking phone call. A man in Ft. Worth had accidentally picked up her husband's suitcase at baggage claim, opened it up, and out popped Gracie Mae. The good samaritan offered to hang onto the cat until her husband could get there and even bought a pet taxi for the kitty's flight home! With all the problems I've heard about pets traveling in checked baggage/ cargo in clearly marked kennels, this miracle cat (who still had her spaying stitches no less) survives being packed into a suitcase, going through x-ray, flying four hours to Texas, and being loaded and unloaded off a commercial airline as any other piece of baggage. Initial reactions make me think of not only how lucky this kitty is but also how shocking it is that no one discovered this shy cat during any of the handling processes. But, after the sad stories of Scooter, I'm so glad this mystery has a happy ending!

Source

Two-Legged Puppy Still Going . . . and Rolling!

PetSugar — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 07:00:44 -0700

Hope, a tiny puppy born with only two hind legs has a new way of getting around . . . model airplane wheels! The adoro Maltese was used to getting around by hopping on her two legs, until doctors said that this movement would eventually cause injury to her bones and spine.
Coming to the rescue was Dr. David Turnbill, who built her new prosthetic legs free of charge out of model airplane wheels so that she can "walk" around like any other dog could, and in her natural position. Hope's rehabilitation specialist Cassy Englert says that at first Hope was having some issues adjusting to the new way of walking:

She never knew anything other than hopping like she did. The hardest thing is teaching her a new way to get around that's going to actually be better for her.

Thankfully, Hope is taking to her new legs and is even jetting around at some pretty quick speeds. Good to see she's not letting anything stop her!

Source

9 Baby Animals That Aren't So Cute: In the LINK of an Eye!

PetSugar — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 10:15:19 -0700

Think all baby animals are cute? Think again . . . - Lemondrop
Deer savior faces criminal charges for rescuing a fawn?! - Paw Nation
Francesca and Sharkey show us the safe way to chase trucks - The Daily Wag
Steven Tyler's dog takes an airplane (or should I say Aeroplane?) - Celebrity Dog Watcher
Can humans catch the "superbug," too? - Dogster
Mountain Cat Trees are real, bark removed - moderncat
Dr. Hinson explains why your pets shed so much - Wag Reflex
Would you buy a hand-painted pet urn? - Haute or Not?