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Airlines are required to report any incidents relative to the transport of animals to the Department of Transportation. Events to be reported include owner complaints and situations in which an animal was lost, injured, or killed during transport.
The Department of Transportation, in turn, will notify consumers of such occurrences, contact the United States Department of Agriculture, and work with the airlines to improve employee training on the air transport of animals. Passengers will also be informed under what conditions their animals will be shipped.
According to the Air Transport Association, over 500,000 animals are shipped via the air every year. Approximately 1% of the shipments encounter problems including transport in unapproved kennels, missed flights, lost pets, and animals' death.
Airline travel can be difficult for your pet. If it is possible, you may want to consider having a dog sitter or boarding facility take care of your dog while you are gone. If you are going to take your pet, the following recommendations will help you arrive safely at your destination.