With 8 new cases of Rabies identified in the northern portions of Central Park, from 79th Street to 110th Street, the 2010 cases brings the 2009-2010 total to 20 cases.

The health department has spread oral rabies vaccine bait in the area with the intent to vaccinate the raccoons against this fatal disease. Fliers have been posted in the park and its nearby subway stations advising pet owners to leash their pets, as well as keeping away from animals acting strangely.

Pet owners who choose to walk their dogs in Central Park should review the pets Rabies immunization history. Even with three year Rabies vaccine available, a good rule of thumb is to refresh the pet’s immunity with a booster vaccination. Your local veterinarian of record is the best source of advice for vaccination frequency & duration.

New York has not had a human case of Rabies since 1953.

With the upcoming Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Air Canada has instituted an embargo for live animal cargo to and from Vancouver for the following dates:

• 07 through 11 February 2010
• 27 Feb – 03 March 2010

The dates are inclusive.

Within the first few hours after the quake struck in Haiti, several airlines moved teams of search & rescue dogs into the region. So, animal transport has already played a very important role in the recovery effort and they are now saving lives. I’m very proud of our members and what we do every day to prepare for moments just like this one. Thank you for doing all you can.

In closing, I’ll ask that you consider sharing your abilities, resources and prayers to support the people of Haiti, and I thank you in advance.

All my best, Lisa Schoppa, President, Animal Transportation Association.

TRANSPORTATION TIDBITS

Airport Status Update – PAP – Port Au Prince, Haiti

The following email from Wednesday, Jan. 13 was provided by Management at American Airlines for informational purposes:

“AA sent a management rep to Port Au Prince on Wednesday from San Juan, Puerto Rico.. We also took 10,000 lbs of relief supplies and started an airport assessment. We spoke to our rep via a satellite telephone and even it was scratchy.

“Aftershocks are still occurring. The ATC tower has no glass. Runway lights are working, but not on typically to save power. ILS is working. There is no fuel available. I do not have word on stairs, loaders etc. The perimeter fence is OK and there are armed guards posted around the airport. The four roads leading into the airport are still mostly impassable. The terminal is badly damaged. We are taking engineering support in tomorrow (Thursday) to review the terminal structure.

“AMC is conducting a telephone conference this evening concerning military plans and lift. I don’t expect an update until tomorrow.

“AA has heard from the Haitian govt that 100,000 deaths are being estimated locally but the real fear is the count could be more accurate at 500,000.

[Source: American Airlines Management]

Continental Airlines Moves Search & Rescue
Dogs and Their Handlers to Earthquake Area

On Wednesday, January 13th, a search-and-rescue team from Spain traveled on Continental Airlines via Newark, New Jersey with Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic as their final destination. The 10 handlers traveled with their four specially trained search and rescue dogs in the cabin of the aircraft. The dogs are well trained and laid at the feet of the handlers for the entire flight. Continental moved the animals fee-waived to contribute to the rescue efforts in Haiti.

Here’s a picture of the group taken in Terminal C of Newark Airport during their connection from Madrid. Continental’s Newark PetSafe team relieved the handlers for a few hours by assisting with walking, feeding and watering the dogs during their layover.

[Source: http://www.iae.org.es/]

Whether Air Animal’s live animal air cargo shipment terminates at Frankfurt, or has a connection to a Lufthansa destination beyond Frankfurt, we know our clients’ pets are well cared for by the dedicated staff at Lufthansa’s Animal Lounge, located on the airport property.

A recent visit to Frankfurt allowed us a behind the scenes tour of the facility, revealing the attention to detail that went into the planning and construction of this state of the art animal care facility.

With separate areas in one building divided for export, transit, and import, the areas are designed to facilitate the handling of animals in a safe, humane, kind, and yet caring manner.

Whether your shipment concludes at Frankfurt, or flies beyond, you can trust the professionals at the Frankfurt Animal Lounge to provide the care of your pet that you expect.

The task seemed simple when the mom called Air Animal seeking the means of airline transport to Germany for the daughter to receive the gift puppy.

The health certificate needed updating, the puppy had grown changing the container size, the arrival date needed confirmation with the daughter, the unaccompanied air cargo shipment required booking and a comfort level needed to be established with all parties concerned.

Air Animal to the rescue.  Serving as the facilitator for the shipping mom, the receiving daughter, and the Frankfurt weather notwithstanding, Lola arrived Frankfurt, with the family awaiting her arrival.

The loop was closed when we received the photo of Lola in the Mannheim apartment.

Mission accomplished ! With the cooperation of all parties and Air Animal’s logistical expertise in place.

Kudos to Virgin America as they have provided the lift capacity to move the California Chihuahua’s to dog adoption centers in New York.

With aircraft cargo capacity going unused, along with little space needed for our canine friends from Califonrnia, homes will be found quickly for these lovable little creatures in a city longing for small breeds.

Good work Virgin America.  You have become eligible to receive Air Animal’s  “pet friendly” award.

Air Animal Frankfurt, a German pet relocation resource for US families residing in Germany, who wish to be reunited with their American pets, now can be contacted through our new company’s Frankfurt, Germany office.

With a local German phone number of 069-3085-5005 (or contact through their fax number of 069-3085-5100; or through e mail pcspetsde@airanimal.com) families are able to talk to a local German Air Animal representative, who will forward the gathered information to Air Animal’s USA office for processing and follow-up.

Air Animal, Inc. is the Tampa, Florida based IATA air cargo sales agency specializing in pet moving services for relocating families.

Whether you’re planning to relocate. transport or travel with your pet in 2010, your pet moving needs are easily met with contacting Air Animal, a 1979 founding member of IPATA – the global pet trade animal transport association; along with IATA’s endorsement & appointment of Air Animal as an air cargo sales agency.

Unaccompanied live animal air cargo shipments on Air France are available from the USA to Paris, and any city in France.  Sorry, pets on Air France flights beyond Paris to their other global destinations are not currently available.  So talk to us to about the other options you have if you must fly Air France to Paris.

An alternative is to use KLM from the USA via Amsterdam to any of their global destinations. The Animal Hostel at Amsterdam Schiphol provides between flight care, comfort and state of the art accommodations.

As well as considering the use of Alitalia, the Italian national carrier, for flights to Rome, Milan & beyond.

Air Animal’s IATA endorsement/appointment also gives you access to Continental, Delta, United, American, Air Canada,  British Airways, Lufthansa, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, SAS, SwissAir, Emirates, Qatar Airways and the other IATA carriers.

2010 Pet Relocation, Transport, & Travel is easily accomplished with Air Animal, since 1977 providing mobile pet owners with both nationwide & worldwide animal transport services.