COVID has become endemic—health experts agree it is going to be with us for some time. COVID-induced flight cancellations continue to plague passengers and relocating pets. Cancellations and delays aren’t just holiday and weather-related. Airline and air cargo staffing and endemic-related mechanical delays play a role, too.

“We don’t fly the planes. Pets relocate as precious air cargo below the wing in regularly scheduled passenger airlines,” explained Dr. Walter M. Woolf, Air Animal founding veterinarian and CEO.

“When a flight cancels with pets booked below the wing, the pets’ flights are delayed too. Unlike people, delayed pets may need to return to a pet hotel or temporary caregiver while we book new flights. Hanging out at the airport isn’t always feasible.”

“We understand delays and cancellations are frustrating for pet parents. It’s difficult for pets in transit and for the Air Animal pet move managers who move to their plan B--rescheduling pet move bookings.”

During endemic-induced delays Air Animal pledges to:

• Contact pet parents if a flight cancels or delays.
• Update pet parents about rescheduled flights and/or temporary pet care arrangements.
• Assure pets receive adequate water and bathroom breaks or walks. Food is attached to the kennel before flight and small amounts are offered if needed.
• Encourage pet parents to use the flight tracker in the Air Animal Portal or use online air waybill trackers to follow their pet in transit.

For clients visiting Air Animal offices for health certificate exams we:

• Provide sanitation stations throughout our offices.
• Require masks if you’re coming into the office with your pet.
• Can call you on your mobile if you prefer to wait in your vehicle with your pet until the veterinarian is ready for the exam.

Get the rabies antibody test done early before moving with pets to destinations that require the FAVN test result before entry. Turnaround time for rabies antibody tests is now six to eight weeks.

If relocating to Hawaii within two to 36 months, assure your pet's rabies vaccination is up to date, then get the rabies antibody test done now from an accredited U.S. laboratory. FAVN results are good for 36 months for Hawaii entry.

Time Magazine reporter Melissa Chan interviewed Dr. Walter M. Woolf, Air Animal founding veterinarian and CEO, about the U.S. Centers for Disease Control dog import ban. 

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention temporarily suspended dog importation from countries with high risk of canine rabies in July 2021 and updated its rules in December 2021. The CDC action protects public health and ensures against reintroducing dog rabies in the United States.

Dogs with U.S.-issued Rabies Certificates

"The December update allows dogs to re-enter the United States from a high risk country without an import permit if the dog has been vaccinated by a U.S.-licensed veterinarian and has met five criteria," according to Walter M. Woolf, veterinarian founder of Air Animal Pet Movers. The dog

1. has a valid U.S.-issued rabies vaccination certificate;
2. has proof of a microchip;
3. is at least 6 months old;
4. is healthy upon arrival; and
5. arrives at an approved port of entry 

All dogs entering the United States from a high-risk county must enter through one of 18 approved ports of entry, which includes all airports with a CDC quarantine station: Anchorage (ANC), Atlanta (ATL), Boston (BOS), Chicago (ORD), Dallas (DFW), Detroit (DTW), Honolulu (HNL), Houston (IAH), Los Angeles (LAX), Miami (MIA), Minneapolis (MSP), New York (JFK), Newark (EWR), Philadelphia (PHL), San Francisco (SFO), San Juan (SJU), Seattle (SEA), and Washington DC (IAD).

Dogs with Foreign-issued Rabies Certificates

Dogs with foreign-issued rabies vaccination certificates must still apply for an import permit. Import permits from high-risk countries will be extremely limited and granted case-by-case. Travel is not a valid reason. Criteria:

• A U.S. government employee with permanent change of station or temporary duty orders.
• A U.S. citizen or lawful U.S. resident relocating to the United States for employment or education.
• An owner of a service dog trained to assist a person with a disability.
• Emotional support animals, comfort animals, companionship animals, and service animals in training are not service animals.
• Importers wishing to import dogs for science, education, or exhibition, or for bona fide law enforcement

"Pet parents are personally responsible for requesting a pet import permit. This also applies to pet parents who have visited high risk countries with their dogs in the past six months,“ Woolf said.

“Before applying for a permit, eligible pet parents should make sure they gather documents required. Make sure you submit all documents. Then follow these steps in order,” he advised.

1. At least four months before planning to return to the U.S., check IPATA.org and find a local professional pet shipper to advise you. Watch the Air Animal website for updates.
2. Assure your dog is microchipped. If the rabies vaccinations and the accompanying certificates expire in less than six months, assure the dog receives a rabies booster before expiration.
3. Have a rabies antibody test (FAVN-OIE) run by an accredited lab.
4. Wait at least 45 days before applying for the U.S. pet import permit.
5. Plan another 45 day wait to hear if the permit has been approved. If the permit is approved schedule pet transport. All dogs must arrive at the live animal care facility at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City.

Permits will not be given at arrival. Dogs without a permit will be denied entry and returned to the country of departure at the owner’s expense.

There is no appeal for denied applications. Application does not guarantee approval.

Click these links for further requirements and more information

• How to apply for an import permit and requirements
• Approved ports of entry (updated by the CDC) 
• Click the map for the full list of countries considered high risk for canine rabies

The CDC will periodically review the suspension.

(December 13, 2021)-- Today StratAir and Amerijet airlines temporarily stopped all pet air cargo transports for the holidays. This affects pet air cargo moves to and from the United States and the Caribbean Islands. Amerijet announced they will re-start pet cargo shipments Jan. 3, 3022. StratAir announced pet shipments will begin again Jan. 10, 2022. Read More...

Your pet’s health and safety are our first concern. Two United States laws mandate airlines follow temperature restrictions protecting animal safety during transport.

Moving your pet to the UK requires four to six weeks pre-planning at this time.

• Pets immigrating to the UK must travel air cargo. Airline choices and space are limited.
• The Animal Reception Center (ARC) at Heathrow Airport in London is booked four to six weeks out. All animals entering the UK through Heathrow must go through the ARC.

There are options to flying into Heathrow. Options add travel time, planning time and may increase cost.

• We can book air cargo into Manchester or another major European airport. Pet import requirements in that destination will apply. 
• We can arrange ground transport from major airports to your new UK home.
• If you are booked to fly before your pet can relocate, we can work with your pet's designated caregiver or can recommend a pet hotel. We will then arrange pick-up and drop-off at air cargo when your pet is booked to fly.

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention temporarily suspended dog importation from countries with high risk of canine rabies effective July 14, 2021.

This includes dogs that have visited a high-risk country any time in past six months -- even if the dog is arriving from a country not on the list.

The action:

1. Ensures safety of dogs imported into the United States
2. Protects public health against reintroduction of canine rabies
3. Decreases attempts to import inadequately vaccinated dogs

Dog import permits from high-risk countries will be extremely limited and granted case-by-case.

Only specific pet owner types may apply for an import permit.

If you leave the U.S. with your dog, your pet may not be approved for re-entry. Travel is not a valid reason to request an import permit. 

Permits will not be given at arrival. Dogs without a permit will be denied entry and returned to the country of departure at the owner’s expense.

There is no appeal for denied applications. Application does not guarantee approval.

At this time, all dogs granted import permits must enter the United States through the live animal care facility at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City.

Click these links for further requirements and more information.

• CDC’s dog import suspension
• How to apply for an import permit and requirements
• Import permit instructions
• Approved ports of entry (updated by the CDC)
• Click the map for the full list of countries considered high risk for canine rabies

The CDC will periodically review the suspension.