SHIPPING INFORMATION FROM DELTA'S WEBSITE
THE INFORMATION LISTED HERE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
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DELTA AIRLINE SHIPPING INFORMATION:
The information below was taken directly from Delta's website. You should visit Delta's website to verify the information before you buy a puppy. If you have any questions, I will do my best to help you. If necessary, we can both get on a conference call with Delta.

Pets As Air Cargo

Delta Pet First is designed to address the special needs of all warm-blooded animals shipped without their owner. The following are some guidelines and benefits for our Delta Pet First customers:

  • Your pet will travel from origin to destination with the same priority as Delta DASH shipments. See Pet Shipping Rates for more information. NOTE: Delta's minimum charge is $153.00 plus applicable taxes and airport fees. I believe this will be the cost since the puppies plus the crate will not weigh more than 20 pounds.
  • We recommend that you pre-book all arrangements prior to arrival at the origin facility by calling Pet First at 1-888-SEND-PET (888-736-3738).
  • You will be able to pre-book a maximum of 7 days in advance and a minimum of 1 day of the desired flight.
  • We have temperature-controlled Live Animal holding areas in our four hub cities: Atlanta, Cincinnati, Dallas and Salt Lake City.
  • Upon arrival in the destination city, pets will be delivered to the Delta cargo facility within 60 minutes.
  • All shipments must be picked up at the destination city cargo facility based on the destination station's guidelines.
  • Animals must be considered non-offensive and not dangerous to passengers or baggage handlers.

While the environment your pet travels in is temperature-controlled and pressurized, air travel is likely to be a stressful experience. To ensure your pet's comfort and safety and your peace of mind, see weather, health and kennel Requirements & Restrictions for important information.



Learn more about shipping by visiting Delta Air Logistics.

Shipping Tips

The following are some shipping suggestions to ensure your pet's comfort and safety.

  • Familiarize your pet with the kennel to ease the stress of travel.
  • Keep your pet as calm as possible prior to the flight. Take along a leash and collar for walking your pet prior to departure. Do not place the leash inside the kennel.
  • Include identification tags with your home address and telephone number, as well as the address and phone number of the person receiving the animal at destination.
  • Never send your pet with a muzzle or choke collar on. Both can be dangerous when an animal is alone.

Visit Delta Air Logistics to learn more about shipping on Delta.



Weather Related Restrictions

Delta will not accept animals as checked baggage or cargo during extreme weather if at any point during the animal's trip the temperature is forecast to be:

   
Below Above

  • 20 degrees Fahrenheit
  • For temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit an acclimation certificate signed by a veterinarian is required.
  • 70 degrees Fahrenheit
   


Health Requirements

Health Certificate

A health certificate is required when shipping your pet as air cargo.

The certificate must be issued by a licensed veterinarian within 10 days of transport. The certificate must contain:

  • The shipper's name and address.
  • Any tag numbers or tattoos assigned to the animal.
  • The age of the animal being shipped (USDA regulations require animals be at least 8 weeks old and fully weaned before traveling).
  • A statement that the animal is in good health.
  • A list of administered inoculations, when applicable.
  • The signature of the veterinarian.
  • The date of the certificate.


Acclimation Certificate

If your pet is traveling during winter months and is accustomed to low temperatures, you may be able to facilitate the journey by obtaining two copies of an acclimation certificate from your veterinarian. USDA regulations require that this certificate be issued no more than ten days before departure. The acclimation certificate must contain:

  • Shipper's name and address
  • Any tag numbers or tattoos assigned to the animal
  • A statement that the animal is acclimated to temperatures lower than 45 degrees F
  • Lowest temperature to which the animal may be exposed to, but not lower than 20 degrees F
  • Signature of the veterinarian
  • Date of the certificate


Live Animal Checklist/Confirmation of Feeding

When you check in your pet, you will be asked to complete a live animal checklist. When you sign this checklist, you are confirming that your pet has been offered food and water within four hours of check-in. On the checklist you must also give feeding and watering instructions for a 24-hour period. If in-transit feeding is necessary, you must provide food.



Tranquilizers

The use of pet tranquilizers at high altitudes is unpredictable. If you plan to sedate your pet, you must have written consent from the pet's veterinarian. This information must be attached to the kennel. Please keep in mind that Delta agents cannot administer medication of any kind.



Kennel Requirements

To transport your pet as checked baggage or cargo, you must use a shipping kennel approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The kennel must have enough room for your pet to stand and sit erect without the head touching the top of the container and turn around and lie in a natural position. These kennels are available at most Delta Air Logistics locations, as well as many pet supply stores.

All kennels must be capable of loading upright in the aircraft bin as required by the Animal Welfare Act and the International Air Transport Association Live Animal Regulations.

Also, USDA rules state that the kennel must:

  • Be constructed out of rigid plastic, wood, metal, or material of comparable strength with solid roofs. No cardboard kennels.
  • Have wheels that can be removed or made inoperable [applies to wheeled kennels only]
  • Have functional handles on the kennel's exterior to prevent tilting and any direct contact with the animals.
  • Close securely, but not lock, allowing personnel to open it in case of emergency.
  • Have labels with the words "Live Animal" in letters at least 1-inch tall on the crate's top and on at least one side.
  • Have upright arrow labels indicating kennel's correct Delta Air Logistics can provide these labels.
  • Contain some type of bedding, either shredded paper or towels, to absorb any "accidents."
  • Contain two dishes (one for food and one for water) attached to the inside of the kennel door. They must be easily accessible to Delta agents without opening the kennel door.
  • Display feeding instructions and food, if applicable. These instructions should be affixed to the top of the kennel, along with shipper and consignee information.
  • Not be made entirely of welded mesh, wire mesh, wicker, cardboard or collapsible materials.

The following is a list of kennel sizes, costs, and the types of aircraft in which each kennel can fit. The kennel costs below do not include tax and are subject to change.

   
Kennel Type Outside Size (inches) Kennel Weight Cost of Kennel
SML/100 series 21 x 15 x 16 6 lb. $45.00
MED/200 series 27 x 20 x 19 12 lb. $65.00
MED/300 series 32 x 22 x 23 18 lb. $75.00
   


Kennel Labeling

All animal kennels must display:

  • Live Animal Checklist (includes feeding and watering instructions)
  • Live Animal label
  • Directional arrows