DIY Domestic Pet Transportation

The following documents are required to travel with your pet and should be provided to the airline at check-in:

• Original rabies vaccination certificate (signed in original ink by the vet)
• Original domestic health certificate (either signed in original ink by the vet or a printed copy of the electronically submitted certificate)

Some airlines may also require other documentation such as an acclimation certificate. An acclimation certificate may be required to be signed by your vet if the temperatures are projected to be below 45 degrees Fahrenheit at the time of travel.

Once you have ensured your pet is vaccinated for Rabies, purchased a travel kennel, acclimated your pet, and have a travel date in mine, then you can contact the airline to book your pet's flight(s).

Keep in mind that not all passenger flights allow animals, so the available flight routing may not always be what you expect or hope for.

Each airline has their own rules for how pets can travel, so you will need to double check with your preferred airline. Some airlines allow smaller cats and dogs to fly in-cabin and larger animals to fly as accompanied baggage. Other airlines will not allow this and only allow some pets to fly as cargo. We typically use American Airlines or Alaska Airlines.

• In-Cabin or Accompanied Baggage
  • This is reserved through the passenger side of the airline when your book your own flight and your pet is reserved under your own ticket and flies on the same plane as you.
• Cargo Pet Travel
  • This is reserved through the cargo side of the airline and you pet does not have to be on the same flight as you. They will have their own reservation and their flight will be tracked using the airwaybill number issued by the airline. 

On the day of departure, make sure you have everything you need prior to taking your pet to the airport. This includes:

• IATA-compliant travel kennel
• Two food/water cups that latch onto the inside of the kennel door
• Crate pad (no more than 3 inches thick)
• Pee-pee pad (optional)
• Thin blanket, t-shirt or towel that smells like home
• Ziplock baggie with 2-3 servings of dry food
• Zip ties
• Live animal stickers
• Original signed rabies certificate
• Original signed domestic health certificate
• Printed copies of both documents for you to keep on your person
• Any other documents the airline requires

While Starwood is not offering long-distance ground transportation at this time, you can contact other local IPATA members to make these arrangements for your furry friend.

While there are fewer requirements for ground transportation, it is still strongly recommended that you keep your pet up to date with their vaccinations and still obtain a domestic health certificate for travel. 

Ground transportation does not require an IATA-compliant travel kennel, but many companies still require the use of some sort of restraint device or crate while pets are in the vehicle. This is for the safety and security of your pet.