Preparing Pets for Air Travel – How to Reduce Stress during Relocation

Air travel is becoming increasingly popular in pets.

Over 2 million pets and other live animals are transported by air every year in the United States alone (US Department of Transportation, 2020) with data and numbers lacking for other countries and regions.
The nature of air travel is stressful for pets, which was corroborated in a study in 2002 investigating physiological signs and behaviour of dogs during air transport. Some of the main causes of stress include environmental factors such as sights, smells and sounds, separation from social affiliates, removal from territories and lack of control and predictability.
My clinic is based in the UAE, a country with a large and transient ex-pat population and pet relocation via air travel has been a substantial part of my business for the last 13 years. We transport between 250 and 300 animals every year with a high focus on stress management and preservation of welfare during the process. 
In this presentation, I look forward to introducing you to our approach to stress management prior to, during and after air travel using a 360-degree approach to mental, emotional and physical health and welfare factors. 
I will present some case examples of both dogs and cats and how we managed the pet's individual needs, requirements and challenges. 
I will discuss positive reinforcement methods for crate familiarisation, safe anxiolytic medication and supplemental products to relieve stress as well as strategies that can be implemented upon arrival at the destination to help pets settle into their new homes and environments.  

This webinar is sponsored by Stress Free Pets

Recording from 24 August 2021