Air Travel Services

Your pet will need an original health certificate issued by a licensed or Official Veterinarian (depending on destination), issued within 10 days of travel. He/she will also usually need a signed rabies vaccination certificate. For international travel, the rabies vaccination often must be at least 30 days old, but less than one year old. Depending upon the destination country, your pet′s trip may also require import permits, various annual vaccinations, reservation at a quarantine kennel, or other special documentation. It can take up to 6 weeks or more to accomplish all of this.  We’re here to help. 

We're happy to explain your destination country′s specific requirements and help you sort through the maze of international pet travel and conflicting information.

All airlines require your pet to travel in an IATA compliant, properly sized sky kennel. They MUST be able to stand up without touching the top of the carrier, sit down, and turn around comfortably in the carrier. When the pet is outside the carrier, they should not be taller or longer than the carrier. Overly large kennels are not allowed, either.

Sky Kennels Ltd carries all sizes of airline compliant sky kennels at competitive prices. These travel carriers are specially designed for air travel. They are ventilated on the rear wall and have protectors around the door pins to prevent the door from accidentally opening. If you choose to purchase your carrier elsewhere, please measure your pet carefully to ensure you get a sturdy and secure carrier that is the correct size. Carriers for international flights must have ventilation on all four sides. We reserve the right to refuse to ship pets in inadequate carriers.

All of our carriers are sprayed with Adaptil for dogs and Feliway for cats, both of which help create a calm environment.

We only work with airlines that we know from experience are pet-friendly. Many of them move pets to and from the planes in temperature controlled vehicles to minimise your pet′s exposure to the elements. However, there are seasonal weather restrictions that may apply to any city. These restrictions are updated on a daily basis. When it is very hot or cold, it is possible your pet may not be able to fly on the day you have chosen. Instead, they may have to travel when it is not necessarily convenient for you.  We work with you to create the best possible alternate option.

Most airlines will only accept pet travel bookings from professional pet shippers. Some airlines and/or countries will not allow pets to travel with you as excess baggage.  The UK Government has mandated that all pets entering the UK by air, must arrive as manifested cargo, i.e. not as Excess or Carry on Baggage.

If necessary, we can board your pet until you are ready for them to travel. We’re happy to collect your pet from home, a relative, your veterinarian, or your favorite boarding kennel/cattery if you need extra time to relocate.

Flight cancellations are rare. If your pet’s flight is cancelled, we will pick them up and arrange for them to travel to you on the next possible flight. We will contact you and/or the consignee before making new travel arrangements.

Most National Veterinary Associations (DEFRA, AVMA etc) strongly discourage the use of tranquillisers or sedatives at altitude. These drugs can be more harmful than helpful to your pet during air travel, so we will not ship sedated pets.

All of our carriers are sprayed with Adaptil for dogs and Feliway for cats, both of which help create a calming environment.