Changing the way airlines report pet deaths will not save lives

AUSTIN, TX – PetRelocation.com CEO and co-founder Kevin O’Brien issued the following statement in response to a letter written by Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) calling on Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood to review current regulations concerning the reporting of animal deaths on commercial airlines:

“While concerns about the reporting of pet fatalities voiced by Senators Menendez, Durbin, and Lieberman are valid, changing the way airlines report the deaths of pets will not save lives in the long run.

“Our national focus should be on proactive ways to make pet travel safer and acknowledging that professional pet travel companies help pet owners avoid tragic mistakes, like using crates that are not adequately ventilated or booking pets on airlines that are not able to safely accommodate animals.

“As a member of the Independent Pet and Animal Transportation Association, PetRelocation.com urges pet owners who intend to fly their pets to take advantage of the experience of the individual professional pet travel companies who make up the IPATA organization.”

Over 600 pets traveled safely by air via PetRelocation.com’s door-to-door pet travel services from January to August without a single loss or fatality. This record is credited to the use of properly-sized travel crates, working only with airlines who keep pets in climate control before, during, and after the flights and an emphasis on crate training prior to travel.