Case History: South Afrikaners enjoy vacationing in Florida and wish to bring their family pet dogs with them on “holiday” to the Sunshine State.

Transporting a pet dog from either Cape Town or Johannesburg is relatively simple with direct service via Delta, Lufthansa, and British Airways. All that is needed by the vacationing Afrikaner is to have their local veterinary surgeon in South Africa issue an international health certificate within 7 days of travel showing evidence of a Rabies immunization at least 30 days prior to US entry and not more than one year prior to entry.

The pets travel as accompanied baggage in the pressurized and temperature controlled holds of the aircraft from South Africa to the US, with Orlando, Florida as their frequent destination.

As of this date, there is no requirement for microchip identification to enter the USA; yet pets entering and/or returning to South Africa require microchip identification.

When the pet owner looks at their return to South Africa after the visit to the family or simply having a Florida holiday, the pet owner encounters the following scenario, much to their chagrin and consternation.

An import permit is required by the South African Dept. of Agriculture, blood samples are required to test for five (5) different diseases within 30 days of entry  into South Africa, a health certificate is required to be issued within 10 days of flight, the four page document requiring USDA export endorsement, and most importantly, all live animal shipments entering South Africa are required to fly as manifest and booked air cargo, rather than as accompanied baggage as they did from South Africa to the USA.

Air Animal’s advice — know before you go on US holiday, especially if you are a vacationing South Afrikaner or from a country with specific entry requirements.

Moving the Yorkshire Terrier from the Houston area in December, 2010 to Tripoli, Libya was easily accomplished for the oil company executive. With flights from Houston’s Intercontinental Airport to London’s Heathrow airport, an overnight stay at the City of London Animal Reception Centre and the next day’s flight from London Heathrow of Tripoli, Libya, all accomplished with the good efforts of British Airways Air Cargo Their live animal air cargo expertise and Air Animal’s pet move management skills and experience.

What none of us were prepared for were the events of the Arab Spring with the rebellion and chaos of Libya. The oil company executive along with his staff was evacuated in March, 2011 on rather short notice.

The Yorkie had to be left behind, fortunately in the hands of the families Tripoli veterinarian and his marvelous staff.

When the oil company executive returned to the US, his final destination became Cancun, Mexico, to join his family who had relocated to Cancun in December of 2010.

Contacting Air Animal Pet Movers in March of this year, we were tasked with the extraction and transport of the Yorkie from Tripoli, Libya to Cancun, Mexico. Many venues were explored to no avail over a period of three months.

Fortunately, Air Animal’s global network of trusted service partners came to the rescue. After three months of attempting to move the Yorkie from Tripoli to Tunis, Tunisia, the mission was accomplished on a Saturday evening in late May at midnight, with the Yorkie crossing the Libyan Tunisian border through the efforts of Air Animal’s service partner in Tunis, Tunisia.

Having been previously microchipped, positive identification of the Yorkie was easily made in Tunis, Tunisia. An air cargo shipment was organized with the great efforts of our Tunis service partner and once again, British Airways. Flights from Tunis to London, connecting London to Orlando, Florida brought the Yorkie back to the US along with return to our Tampa offices.

Once again, microchip identification was positive. The Yorkie was then documented to fly from the offices of Air Animal and Tampa International Airport to Houston, Texas with a connecting flight to Cancun, Mexico.

For the Tampa to Houston to Cancun flights, the Yorkie flew as “cabin baggage” on Continental Airlines, clearing immigration and customs in Cancun took a short 90 minutes.

Exiting the Cancun International Airport, I was greeted with “Are you Dr Woolf of Air Animal Pet Movers”? Once the Yorkie heard the wife’s voice along with husband’s voice … barking beyond belief took place. I responded with “Yes, I am and I have your Yorkie for you.”

There are happy days in one’s life. None happier than mine and the oil company executive and his wife who as they left the airport simply said “ you have made our family and our son one happy boy .”

Cheerfully provided by Dr Walter Woolf / Owner / Air Animal Pet Movers /

The relocating pets best friend, since 1977.

Summer is a time when many families make plans to visit the beach, mountains or one of our nation’s expansive amusement parks for a few days or weeks of family time.  If your family includes a dog, take a few extra steps to ensure the trip is fun for everyone, including your furry friend.

Caesar Milan, star of the National Geographic channel’s The Dog Whisperer, encourages dog owners to plan ahead to keep anxiety levels low for everyone.  If you’re planning a mad dash to pack up the car with luggage, supplies and the family on your departure day, your dog will sense the tension.  By organizing things well in advance, your dog can have a normal experience before he gets in the car or boards a plane.

Bring along reminders of home

Speaking of packing— be sure to take along item that will retain the scent of your home to help ease the transition for your dog.  Items like a dog bed, favorite toy and blanket will help him remain calm and relaxed while you’re traveling and will make your home away from home on the road more comfortable. Don’t forget his crate.  Get him acclimated to spending long stretches of time in it several days in advance of the trip.

At the hotel

If you will be staying in hotels, walk into your room first and have your dog remain in the hallway.  Don’t let him wander around or he will try to assume control of the situation.  Be calm and assertive.  This will help you feel comfortable in the room before you introduce your dog to an unfamiliar place.

After settling into the room, take your dog for a walk to familiarize him with his new surroundings.  This will allow him to claim his space.  And make sure you exercise him properly before you leave him crated in the room.  This means at least 30 minutes of walking around.

It doesn’t take much to plan a successful get away with a family dog, just a little forethought and planning and consideration for how your dog will experience the trip.  Happy travels!

Moving Overseas?

If you are planning to take a pet along on an overseas trip, consider using a professional animal mover.  The staff will know the regulations and requirements for each country and carrier. For more information, visit http://www.airanimal.com/destinations.php.

Sure, moving into a new home can be very exciting. But even under the best circumstances, leaving behind familiar surroundings and friends can also be a bit stressful. When the move is one that takes you across state lines or national borders, additional adjustments are needed. If you own a dog, you’ll want to take steps to ensure the transition goes smoothly for him as well.  Here are some tips to help, but in general if you think in terms of continuity and positive reinforcement it will ease your canine companion’s adjustment.

New Home Tips for Dogs

1. To help with transition challenges, keep your dog in a secure carrier  in a quiet area on moving day.
2. Bring along a good supply of your pet’s food and treats.  They may not be readily available in your new location.
3. Maintain the same feeding and exercise schedule.  Place the feeding station and toys in locations as similar to the old ones as possible.
4. Introduce your furry friend to the new neighbors and neighborhood.  Taking short frequent walks in the new neighborhood accompanied with lots of praise and treats will increase his confidence and security. Coach neighbors to approach your dog gingerly and with praise.  They’ll need to allow him to sniff them before they attempt to pet him. Let them reward him with treats for positive interactions.
5. Stay home a few days before going off to work and pay extra attention to your pet. He will adjust more quickly and feel more comfortable in his new home.
6. Use part of those days to get established with a new veterinarian before you need one.  Ask your former  veterinarian for a recommendation if possible.  You can also consult your new pet-owning neighbors for guidance on this important decision.
7. If you will be gone during the day, hire a dog walker so your pet can get exercise and  stimulation in your absence. Don’t leave your dog unattended in a fenced-in back yard until you are absolutely sure it is escape proof.

The best positive reinforcement you can give your dog during a time of transition is your personal attention and love. Spend time petting your dog.  It can reduce your blood pressure, slow your heart rate and help ease your own transition anxieties.  Be good to yourself and your dog and both of you will enjoy your life and new home.

Leave it to a Professional

Moving long distance involves many challenges. Doing so with a pet is not for the inexperienced.  If you are planning a long distance move and want to make sure your dog has the best possible experience, hire the services of a professional pet mover.  Experienced pet movers work closely with airlines and embassies and stay up to date on ever-changing regulations.  Do yourself and your dog a favor and incorporate the services of a professional animal shipper into your moving plan.  For more information, visit http://www.airanimal.com/services.php

Summer is a time when many Americans pack their car and hit the road in search of precious family time, relaxation and fun. If you plan to bring along a four-legged member of your family as you see the USA by car, a little planning can go a long way toward making it safe, comfortable and fun for you and your pet.

There is more to traveling with a pet than loading the animal into the back seat and putting the car in drive — especially if you’re planning a long trip that will take you away from home for a week or more.  The ASPCA offers a number of helpful tips to help ensure a safe, comfortable road trip:

1. Keep your pet in a well-ventilated crate or carrier while he is in the vehicle. There is a variety of wire mesh, hard plastic and soft-sided carriers available. Choose one that is large enough for your pet to stand, sit, lie down and turn around in. Have your pet get used to the carrier by spending some time in it each day starting a week or so before your trip.
2. If your pet’s experience in a car is limited to short trips to the vet, start getting him used to spending time in the car by taking short drives that get progressively  longer. Keep him in the back seat in his crate or with a harness attached to a seat buckle so it won’t slide or shift if you stop quickly or make sweeping turns.
3. Don’t feed your pet in a moving vehicle—even if it is a long drive. Start your trip by feeding your pet a light meal three to four hours before you leave home.  Subsequent meals can be fed when you make rest and exercise stops.
4. Never leave your animal alone in a parked vehicle. On a hot day, even with the windows open, a parked automobile can become a death trap.
5. If you plan to cross state lines, it’s a good idea to bring along your pet’s rabies vaccination record, as some states require this proof at certain interstate crossings.
6. When you pack your suitcase, don’t forget to pack one for your pet.  In addition to medical papers, be sure to include food, a bowl, leash, waste scoop, plastic bags, grooming supplies, medication and a pet first-aid kit.  Throw in a favorite toy or pillow to give your pet a sense of familiarity.
7. Make sure your pet has a microchip for identification and wears a collar with a tag imprinted with your home address, as well as a temporary travel tag with your cell phone, destination phone number and any other relevant contact information. Canines should wear flat collars.
8. Resist the temptation to allow your pet to ride with his head outside the window. He could be injured by flying objects. Put the window down if you want him to experience a breeze. At interstate highway speeds, the dog’s corneas are easily damaged by foreign bodies you are unable to see.
9. It is important to keep your pet hydrated so bring along a good supply of water from home stored in plastic jugs. Drinking water from a new area can upset a pet’s digestive system.
10. If you travel frequently with your pet, you may want to invest in rubberized floor liners and waterproof seat covers, available online and at auto product retailers.

Planning to Travel by Air?

If your summer plans involve traveling by air with a family pet, you’ll have a host of other considerations, especially if you plan to cross international borders. You would be wise to retain the services of a professional animal shipper so you and your pet don’t end up separated.  For more information, visit http://www.airanimal.com/moving-pets.php.

’twas the night before Christmas a the Air Animal “house”, not a creature was stirring, not Dr Woolf nor his spouse.

The phones were all quiet, not a sound did they make, Pattie & Suzanne were caught up with web inquiry intakes.

Traci was delighted & shouted with glee, “all my pets are where they belong, and no one’s stuck in Tripoli.”

Cathy & Gladys were busy with queries that said: “can you send all of my 24 pets, to arrive tomorrow instead?”

When up on the roof top there arose such a clatter, Dr Woolf & Cory ran out, to see what was the matter.

When what to their wondering eyes should appear, But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer.

With a little old driver, all tired and sick; they looked at each other, “Could this be St. Nick?”

His sleigh was all tattered, his reindeer too tired, (This old fell looked like he should be retired.)

He hopped off the roof top & pleaded his case, The flu had overcome him; you could see it in his face.

“I’m, through with my deliveries, & am sick as a dog, I can’t drive my sleigh home; my head’s in a fog.”

“I’m hopping a Jet Blue flight home, but they won’t take reindeer, Doctor, can you please send them? I can’t leave them here!”

“This request is unusual, one we’ve not had before, We normally send cats & dogs, not reindeer that soar”.

“Can’t we make an exception?”, Cory pleaded with flair, “We can call them “mixed breeds”, and send them by air!”

“By golly that might work!, Dr Woolf whispered aloud, It’ll take the whole team working together, let’s make Santa proud”.

So a plot was devised, everyone took their positions, Working fast was the plan to complete Santa’s mission.

Cathy & Gladys assembled flight kennels, with fear, “Can we really pull off shipping eight (8) tiny reindeer?”

Traci worked her magic, routing a flight to the North Pole, That would take the 8 tiny flight kennels; not routing through Seoul.

Sue & Kim started typing, flight documents with speed, so all of Santa’s reindeer would be labeled, indeed.

Pattie & Suzanne typed health documents,cleverly created, DR Woolf agreed “Mixed Breed” is what should be stated.

“We’ll disguise them; have to hide the, – oh they can’t look like that!”
Cory said “We need to turn them into dogs right off the bat!”

Kim & Jesa were in awe, at the craziness they saw, Asking “Isn’t disguising reindeer kinda against the law?”

While Dasher & Dancer were coughing & hacking, Prancer & Vixen craved the attention they were lacking.

Comet & Cupid were still & quiet as could be, Donner & Blitzen stuck their noses out to see.

“Let’s get these reindeer out of here before the evening is through! These reindeer are noisy!”, said Linda, “Who knew?”

They disguised each small animal to not look like a reindeer, covering antler’s with stockings to resemble a dog’s ear.

So off to the airport all 8 reindeer were sent, each one in a kennel – disguised as dogs, they went.

The airport staff, a bustle; working through the noise & cold,All to busy to notice the strange “dogs”they started to load.

All the staff at Air Animal, breathed a sigh of relief, By Golly, the plan worked, and without any grief!

Dr Woolf was proud, another mission complete!
He waved at Santa who sitting in his Jet Blue airline seat.

And he heard him exclaim as the flew out of sight, “Merry Christmas to all, and to Air Animal – a good night !”

Created by: Pattie Barlow, Intake Specialist, Air Animal Pet Movers, Tampa, Florida, 04 December 2010

Reports from our good friend, Jayne Besbeech, at RedCoat Travel in the UK indicate the London/Gatwick airport to be closed due to snow. Flights bound for LGW have been diverted to London/Heathrow/LHR

The Irish Department of Agriculture has disallowed Delta Airlines transporting pets from the USA to its Ireland destinations.

How long the dis-allowance will be in place in difficult to indicate at this time.   Alternative carriers are Aer Lingus and Continental Airlines from the USA and British Airways through London connections.

Watch the Air Animal Blog for future details.

The early morning flight from Tampa to Kansas City on Southwest Airlines was uneventful, with the seatbelt light on only on takeoff and upon landing.

The drive from Kansas City’s outlying airport through the city itself encountered light traffic with the drive to the destination of Nevada, Missouri uneventful as well.

The harvesters had been through the many cornfields as we drove south on Route 71, the stubble most evident.

Signs of Fall were yet to be seen.

A 50th high school reunion is always a notable event, as will be the case for my wife, Linda Fries Woolf.  She and her classmates gather to renew old memories, catch up with one another and establish new memories.

The scrapbooks began to appear this morning and the many memories were refreshed once again. The dinner last night at the steakhouse on Route 54 was unbelievably inexpensive, with tonight’s gathering at the Azteca Mexican Restaurant eagerly awaited.

Saturday evening brings forth the graduates to gather at the Nevada Country Club on Spring Street for yet another celebration of life, along with a brunch on Sunday morning, once again at the Nevada Country Club.

Watch the blog for more information as the weekend progresses.

I do not have a “bucket list” yet there is time to think of one.  The time is the present.

Wednesday past took me to San Diego, CA to join a group of DV’s (distinguished visitors) to the nuclear aircraft carrier USS Vinson, cruising offshore in the Pacific Ocean.

Meeting at the front gate of NAS North Island (Coronado), CA at 8 00 a.m. on Thursday morning was the beginning of 24+ hour adventure which took place on a C-2 Greyhound from North Island to the carrier Vinson cruising off the coast of Mexico, a 45 minute flight.

Landing at 102 mph, the C-2 stopped within 2 seconds, catching the cable on the deck of the Vinson with the tailhook of the aircraft.

Then began a tour of the aircraft carrier, from the flight deck to the bridge to the hangar deck to the inner workings of the ship.

Steep ladders tested one’s ability and agility for the next 24 hours.

Meeting the dedicated youngsters on the Vinson and its officers from the Admiral to the Captain to the Commander of the Chief Petty officers to the Petty Officers to the seaman made the embark most pleasant.

Friday afternoon had us depart the Vinson via catapult, from standing still to 132 mph in three (3) seconds. Landing took place 30 minutes later at NAS North Island.

Should you have the opportunity to go on an “embark” with the US Navy, grab it at once. You will have the trip of a lifetime, and meet some very dedicated personnel, who represent America extremely well.