Air Travelers Can Now Keep Track of Their Pets in the Cargo Hold
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iStock/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — The friendly skies are apparently not so friendly towards pets.
According to the website Consumer Affairs, U.S. airlines reported 17 animal deaths, 26 pet injuries during transport and two lost pets in 2014.
Delta had the most animal deaths in the past five years among U.S. carriers and is taking action to ease the minds of pet owners.
The company has unveiled a new GPS tracking device that attaches to your pet’s carrier and will monitor Fido in real time to make sure he’s comfortable and the conditions in the cargo hold are safe. It will send an alert to Delta’s call center and your phone if the temperature spikes or his crate has been turned upside down. The device costs $50.
At the moment, the device is only available at 10 U.S. destinations, including New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, and Tampa, and only if travelers bring their pet to Delta’s cargo facility.
The Humane Society recommends that travelers not fly with a pet unless it is absolutely necessary. They say if you do have to fly with your cat or dog, they advise you try to schedule a non-stop flight. The group also recommends that you label everything with your phone number and contact info.
According to Consumer Affairs, some airlines won’t let your pet fly at all if it’s a breed that has a pushed-in face — the medical term is brachycephalic. That includes bulldogs, pugs and Persian cats. Apparently, their short nasal passages make them vulnerable to oxygen deprivation and heat stroke.
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