PetSugar

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.

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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.)

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?

Do Pets' Bedtime Rules and Routines Change on Vacation?

PetSugar — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 04:15:55 -0700

Let's pretend you're taking a nice weekend getaway and bringing your animal with you – lucky dog! You'll be staying at a hotel that includes a pet deposit, cleaning fee, . . . and big, comfy bed. Now if your precious pal's like North, he doesn't get to snuggle under the covers at home, but I definitely bend those rules while traveling. In fact, plenty of fancy boarding spots give pets a taste of a life in the lap of luxury and come complete with flat screen TVs and full sized beds just for them (as seen above). I've never noticed any negative effects when we return to our home but have you ever had a situation like this come back to bite you? Share which rules you relax, and ones you keep, in the comments below.

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Breaking News: Millionaire Maltese Loses $10,000,000!

PetSugar — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 16:20:49 -0700

I don't know of any pooches more loaded than lil Trouble, pampered pet of the late Leona Helmsley, but today she suffered a serious paycut . . . of $10 million dollars. Ouch. The Maltese's trust fund was reduced from $12 million to $2 million by Manhattan surrogate court judge Renee Roth, along with New York State’s Attorney General’s Office.

In addition to arguments that Helmsley wasn't mentally competent when she signed her will, it's believed that two million dollars will easily cover Trouble’s "maintenance and welfare at the highest standards of care for more than 10 years, which is more that twice her reasonably anticipated life expectancy.” The doggie currently lives in Florida with Carl Lekic, the general manager of the Helmsley Sandcastle Hotel. Lekic put her annual expenses at around $190,000, including his own $60,000 "guardian fee", $100,000 for ’round-the-clock security, $8,000 for grooming, $3,000 for miscellaneous expenses, $1,200 for food and anywhere from $2,500 to $18,000 for medical care. If there's any leftover, I can think of a few spoiled sweet products she'd love!

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Pet Flys Makes It Easier to Fly With Fido and Sassy

PetSugar — Wed, 28 May 2008 00:30:33 -0700

If you're as bummed as I am after hearing that Jetblue has doubled the pet-as-personal-item fee from $50 to $100, then you might be browsing other airlines to get you and your pet where you need to go this travel season. Thankfully, with Pet Flys carrier bags, you can at least do it in style. I'm loving their line of cute and handy pet carriers that come in three sizes (mini to medium) and are totally airline approved.

All Pet Flys bags come with two adjustable handles, removable fur lined bottom insert, warm blankie, side and front entrances, and roll up peek-a-boo flap, plus a non-collapsible design ensures that your kitty or pooch is safe in the air and in the car. I'm also loving the prices that range from $100 to $130 dollars, which is pretty affordable when you consider how expensive other carriers can get!

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Do You Always Go to Your Vet for Vaccinations?

PetSugar — Mon, 19 May 2008 08:00:39 -0700

Even though North loves his vet – and I make sure to take him to necessary evaluations – he also spends time around other pups both at daycare or Pet Camp while I'm away. Several boarding facilities require Bordetella vaccinations performed every six months . . . which is more often than he needs to go in for a checkup. Now, North doesn't get that much QT with a vet, and many docs also charge an exam fee per visit (in addition to this shot). When my pooch needs his Bordetella updates, I often take him to a mobile service that will just administer it on a per-shot basis. Do you ever use services like this to get your pets vaccinated?

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The Scoop: Shocking Reasons Cats Were Dumped in Shelters

PetSugar — Fri, 16 May 2008 07:00:04 -0700

I could never ever imagine giving up my four-legged baby and I know that all of you feel the same about your precious pets, which makes this news even more infuriating. I caught a recent UK Daily Mail story about some shocking reasons cats are being dumped into the local animal shelters.

The RSPCA in West London bares all when trying to find forever homes for the unwanted felines, including listing why the now homeless kitties were brought to them. Reasons for giving up some of these beautiful cats range from having too long of a coat, not matching the owner's new carpet, and not wanting to pay a $10 a day cat sitter fee while they hit the beach for a vacay. I can't imagine how anyone could give up an animal because of these reasons, but apparently some people just don't have a heart. What's more, the number of animals left abandoned in the RSPCA's care rose 23 percent last year to leave 7,347 pets without homes which makes it even more important to extend your love to a shelter animal, but to first make absolutely sure you are ready for the responsibilities of a pet!

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The Scoop: Feed Shelter Pets Just By Clicking

PetSugar — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 08:00:34 -0700

Have you ever walked into an animal shelter and wanted to take every single one of those little guys home with you? It's so sad knowing that a lot of them won't make it to a forever home. Becoming a foster parent can help by taking the animals out of the shelter and increasing their chances of survival but, because of monetary constraints, it's just a fact of life that shelters can't always get the food and vaccinations they need. So what can we do to help? In addition to donating money to your local shelters or volunteering to be a foster parent to an animal until they can find a permanent family, now all you have to do is click.

The Animal Rescue Site has set up a totally cool and easy way to get involved. Just by clicking a button on their main page, you can help shelter animals get the food they need to survive. To see how, just read more.

Charity sponsors get ad space on the page, and for each click of the button, donate bowls of food to animals in need. Plus, when you purchase goods from their online store, the sponsors donate even more! One hundred percent of sponsors' advertising fees goes to the charitable partners – one of which is the North Shore Animal League who Mýa has partnered up with during the Tour for Life – so you know your clicking is well spent, and going to all the right places.

Plus, you can also:

Send pet e-cards to friends and family. Each time the card is opened, more funds are donated to Animal Rescue Site's charitable partners.
Buy vaccinations, spaying and neutering services, as well as funding shelters, caring for rescued animals, and help in wildlife habitat preservation.

It doesn't take much, so head to The Animal Rescue Site and see what kind of a difference you can make.

Take on a 5k . . . With Your Dog!

PetSugar — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 15:00:29 -0700

Spring is a great time to get outside and run around . . . and I don't mean just for your dog! Make it a team effort and train for a 5K that your furry pal can participate in as well. There are plenty of fun runs that benefit not only your health, but the animal shelters and programs that host the events get a much-needed bump in funds from all those entry fees.Running can seem like a scary sport to break into if you aren't the natural-born runner, but Fit assures us that it's easier than we think. Plus, with your fur-laden companion by your side, it just might be fun and gives you a good chance to meet 'n greet new people and pups for you and Fido to befriend (and possibly doggie date)! Who knew fitness could be great for filling up your date book as well!? To scour my list of doggie dashes and furry 5Ks taking place through May, just read more.

See Spot Run 5k Run/Walk
Saturday, March 29.
JF Gregory Park
Richmond Hill, GA

Richmond SPCA Dog Jog and 5k Run
Saturday, March 29
Robins-Starr Humane Center
Richmond, VA

Dog Day 5k
Saturday, April 5
North Carolina University Club
Raleigh, NC

Mutt's N Masters 5k Run
Saturday, April 12
Veterans Memorial Leisure Services Center
Las Vegas, NV

Hound Dog Hustle 5k Run
Saturday, April 19
Oak Grove Park
Grapevine, TX

Walk The Dog 5k
Saturday, April 19
Bill Burke Park
Salina, Kansas

Animals For Life 5k Run for Rescue
Saturday, April 26
Quassy Amusement Park
Middlebury, CT

Run and Romp
Saturday, April 26
Shoreview Community Center
Shoreview, MN

Miss Reveille Dog Walk and 5K Fun Run
Sunday, April 27
Texas Medical Center
Huston, TX

Atlanta Dog Jog
Saturday, April 28
Piedmont Park
Atlanta, GA

Canine Canter for Cancer 2Mi Run/Walk
Sunday, May 4
Como Park
Saint Paul, MN

HS Run For the Dogs
Saturday, May 10
East Lake Village Park
Lees Summit, MO

Doggie Dash 5k
Saturday, May 31
William Land Park
Sacramento, CA

Know of any that I'm missing? Add the info in your comments!

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