Pet Travel Question: Worries About Flying Safely with a Pug

Name: Vasantha
From: New Delhi, India
To: Johannesburg, South Africa
Pet: Mr Jones, Pug, 4 years old

I will be relocating to South Africa and would like to take my four-year-old pug with me, but I am very worried about him making the journey safely. I will be taking him to a vet for a full medical check-up tomorrow but I would like to hear about other experiences of flying pugs on a journey of roughly the same journey duration. Also, could he fly on the same flight as me?

Hi Vasantha,

 

Thanks for your question, we'd be happy to provide some information. First, while flying with snub-nosed breeds can be more challenging, that doesn't mean it's impossible. Take a look at the customer experiences on our blog when you have the chance, as we've flown many such dogs safely.

 

It's important to talk to your vet about your pet's health and fitness to fly -- some pets simply aren't up for the stress of the experience. If you decide to go forward, there are several things you can do to reduce the risks associated with flying with a snub-nosed breed, including choosing a large, well-ventilated crate and selecting a pet-friendly airline. That's another thing -- you'll want to contact the airline you choose to find out about their most up-to-date pet policies. Many international moves (here are the import requirements for South Africa, by the way) necessitate that you hire an agent to help you through customs, and many (if not most) people don't end up flying on the same flight as their pet (and everything goes fine).

 

Please contact us if you have any more questions about moving your dog, and good luck!