Flying The Friendly Skies With Fido Or Fluffy

More than ever, Fluffy and Fido are flying the friendly skies. But before purchasing that dream vacation to the all-inclusive, pet-friendly spa by the sea, be sure to investigate which airline can accommodate your four-legged luggage.

Pet travel is on the rise

According to the Travel Industry Association (www.tia.org) 14 percent of all U.S. adults say they have traveled with a pet 50 miles or more away from home in the past three years. Usually dogs are in tow (78 percent), while only 15 percent of travelers take their cats with them. Even birds, ferrets, rabbits and fish are racking up the miles. And the rules for shipping animals change just about as often as the government's rules for carry-ons.

As the number of passengers traveling with their pets increases, some carriers are going out of their way to make flying easier and more comfortable for everyone. Recently, Northwest Airlines announced that passengers can now register their pets online when they book their own flights. Midwest Airlines has seen a 300-percent increase in passengers selecting to travel Midwest with their pets as a result of its Premiere Pet Program, the first program to offer frequent flying pets the opportunity to earn free travel. The program also offers a travel pack for dogs and cats that includes shampoo, toys, water, food, treats and coupons by top pet-care companies. (www.midwestairlines.com)

Accommodating precious cargo

For Roy and Lacey Wilson, owners of Kings Mill Kennel (www.kingsmillkennel.com) in Shawano, Wis., shipping their St. Bernards has become a labor of love. Because of new regulations and the sizes of their dogs, fewer airlines are able to accommodate the giant 700-series crate (48 x 32 x 35 inches) and a forklift is needed to load the animals.

While the cabins on cargo planes are pressurized, temperature is a large concern for shipping animals. "Several airlines will not ship animals if the temperature is under 45 degrees or greater than 85 degrees Fahrenheit," says Roy Wilson. "It gets to be challenging, because you don't know until the day of the flight what the temperature will be like - either from where you are taking off, or where you are landing."

Breed embargos limit travel options

Andrew "Roo" Yori of Rochester, Minn., flies all over the country with Wallace, the 2007 Purina Incredible Dog Challenge Freestyle Flying Disc National Champion. Because Wallace is a pit bull, he has encountered some difficulty traveling because of stereotypes about his breed. For example, Korean Air maintains a breed ban, and Yori and Wallace were unable to attend the Disc Dog World Challenge Cup held in Korea last fall.

After being booked on Continental Airlines to appear on the Late Show with David Letterman, Yori called the producers to let them know he couldn't board the plane. "They told me to call Wallace a mixed-breed and get on the plane," Yori says. So he did.

Continental Airlines also enforces breed embargos, visit its website www.continental.com. Every airline has a pet policy, so it's important to check an airline's specific requirements before booking a flight.

Pet travel services and websites

There are several websites, like www.petfriendly travel.com and www.happytailstravel.com, to help you navigate all the rules and regulations for traveling with your companion animal. They also provide great pet-friendly trip ideas.

If you need help wading through all the logistics, Goldwood Kennels/Pet Air America (www.gold woodkennels.com), a fourth generation, family-owned Dellwood, Minn., company can arrange to pick up your pet, deliver it to the airplane, handle all the necessary paperwork and even deliver your pet to your final destination. Co-Owner Tony Hilton calls it a "travel agency for your pet."

There are at least 12 pet-friendly airports in the U.S. complete with pet relief areas. The Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport maintains a pet exercise area just outside Door 1 on the Baggage Claim Level of the Lindbergh Terminal building.

LaDonna Seely is a volunteer for A Rotta Love Plus, www.arottalove.org, an award winning rottweiler and pit bull rescue, adoption and education organization.