Ultimate Pet Air Travel Checklist: 30 Days to Flight Day

30 Days Before Flight

DOCUMENTATION: □ Check destination country's pet import requirements □ Verify airline's specific pet policy □ Book vet appointment for health certificate (schedule for 5-7 days before flight) □ Confirm rabies vaccination is current (21+ days before travel for most destinations) □ Order any required import permits

CRATE PREPARATION: □ Purchase IATA-compliant crate (if needed) □ Measure your pet using IATA formula □ Replace plastic clips with metal bolts □ Start crate training (pet should sleep in crate)

BOOKING: □ Call airline to add pet to reservation □ Confirm pet is on booking (cargo vs cabin) □ Note weight and crate dimension requirements

14 Days Before Flight

CRATE TRAINING: □ Pet should be comfortable spending 4+ hours in crate □ Practice closing door with pet inside □ Simulate car rides to airport in crate □ Ensure pet has eaten and eliminated in crate environment

HEALTH CHECK: □ Confirm vet appointment is scheduled □ Prepare list of questions for vet □ Get microchip number documented □ Research if destination requires specific vaccines

SUPPLIES: □ Purchase attached food/water bowls □ Buy absorbent pads for crate floor □ Get "Live Animal" stickers and "This Way Up" arrows □ Prepare waterproof document sleeve

7-10 Days Before Flight

VET VISIT: □ Get official health certificate (MUST be within 10 days of travel) □ Verify rabies certificate is attached □ Ask about sedation (most airlines prohibit it) □ Get any required destination-specific treatments □ Have vet sign all documents clearly

CRATE FINAL CHECK: □ Top and bottom halves bolted together (metal bolts, not clips only) □ Door closes and latches securely □ Ventilation openings on all four sides, not blocked □ Bowls attached and accessible from outside □ Absorbent bedding in place □ Pet fits comfortably (stand, turn, lie down)

3 Days Before Flight

DOCUMENTATION REVIEW: □ Health certificate dated correctly (within 10 days) □ All signatures present □ Microchip number matches documents □ Import permits printed (if required) □ Airline confirmation shows pet

CRATE LABELING: □ "Live Animals" label and "This Way Up" labels □ "This Way Up" arrows pointing correct direction □ Your name, phone, email on crate □ Destination address on crate □ Feeding instructions attached

PET PREP: □ Begin reducing food portions □ Increase water intake □ Final grooming (clean pet travels better) □ Clip nails to prevent catching on crate

Day Before Flight

FINAL PREPARATIONS: □ Pack pet travel bag (documents, treats, cleanup supplies) □ Freeze water in bowl (melts slowly, won't spill at takeoff) □ Light meal 6 hours before flight time □ Final potty break schedule planned □ Crate loaded in vehicle □ Airline check-in time confirmed (usually 2-3 hours early for pets)

DOCUMENT PACKET: □ Health certificate (original) □ Rabies certificate (original) □ Vaccination records (copies) □ Microchip documentation □ Import permits (if required) □ Airline booking confirmation □ Your ID/passport

Flight Day

MORNING: □ No food 4-6 hours before flight □ Water available until 2 hours before □ Long walk/exercise to tire pet □ Final potty break at home □ Potty break at airport (pet relief area)

AT AIRPORT: □ Arrive 3 hours before (international) or 2 hours (domestic) □ Check in at cargo facility (if cargo) or main counter (cabin) □ Present all documents □ Allow inspection of pet and crate □ Ask for tracking info (cargo) □ Confirm connecting flight arrangements (if any)

BEFORE BOARDING: □ Say goodbye calmly (pets sense stress) □ Confirm pet is loaded (ask gate agent) □ Keep documents accessible for arrival