In no particular order, here are a few dog-related societal improvements that I feel would have immense benefits for companion animals and the humans who love them.
- the psychological benefits of animal companions recognized so that the elderly wouldn’t have to give up their pets when entering assisted living or nursing care facilities
- dogs proven to be well-behaved and under control (Canine Good Citizens perhaps) given the ability to fly in the cabin with their humans, without fitting under a seat
- an end to large commercial pet breeding facilities
- animals uniformly protected from neglect and abuse
- the sale of dogs, cats and other companions in pet stores made illegal
- an end to the mass murder of pets in "shelters" across our country
- humane education taught as a standard course in elementary schools
- an increase in residential and commercial buildings allowing pets
OK, that’s more than a few. What are some things you would love to see happen that would benefit our companion animals and ourselves?
Great ideas and they all have strong, positive points! I personally feel that the humane education in schools is so critical. It would be helpful to have those programs. If they were done right, I think many of the other wishes would happen much more easily. I’d add to the list by including more holistic/Eastern medicine should be more positively accepted especially in the vet schools. The canine diet is seriously minimal and closed-minded because many school programs are supported by companies like Hills. Good work, Jenna & Snick!
thanks Rae!
Have you heard about this? Maybe we are getting closer and closer to traveling with our pet companions, afterall! – Bonnie & Sushi
NATION’S FIRST PET ONLY AIRLINE WILL BEGIN FULL SCHEDULE IN JULY !!!
PetAirways: `Creatures Only´ in the Main Cabin
DELRAY BEACH, Fla. (April 16, 2009)–Pet Airways, (www.petairways. com) today announced that it will launch the first pet-only airline specifically designed for the safe and comfortable transportation of pets, with the first pet flights scheduled for July 14, . On Pet Airways, all pets travel in the main cabin not in the cargo hold.
Serving five cities to start – New York, Washington D.C., Chicago, Denver and Los Angeles – Pet Airways plans to expand nationwide with easily accessible pet check-in lounges to serve its “pawsengers” in major metropolitan areas.
A proprietary web-enabled reservation system will allow customers to book pet travel on the web. Owners will b e able to track their pet´s travel progress online at http://www.petairwa ys.com.
According to Dan Wiesel, president/CEO of Pet Airways: “Currently, most pets traveling by air are transported in the cargo hold and are handled as baggage. The experience is frightening to the pets, and can cause severe emotional and physical harm, even death. This is not what most pet owners want to subject their pets to, but they have had no other choice, until now.”
Background on Pet Travel
According to the American Animal Hospital Association, approximately 76 million cats and dogs travel with their owners each year.
Despite the high number of pets traveling, relatively few currently travel by air. This is not surprising, considering the conditions under which most pets must travel. Many airlines allow small pets to travel with their owners, stowed under the seat, but most airlines will only accept one or two pets per flight. Pets that are too big to fit under the seat are relegated to cargo, and unfortunately in many cases, are treated as such.
Recently, several airlines announced they will no longer accept pets on board their aircraft. . In addition, airlines that do accept pets as cargo will not accept them when outside temperatures are below 45 degrees or above 85 degrees, or in other words, during the most popular winter holiday or summer vacation months. Pet parents should=2 0be aware that a cargo hold can quickly reach temperatures over 120 degrees.
“Travel can be a very noisy and scary experience,” says Patty Hegwood, animal care director for Best Friends Animal Society, one of the nation8 0s best known animal welfare organizations. “It is incredible that there are folks like Pet Airways who are committed to safe air travel for animals. This will be a real benefit to pet owners and shelter/rescue organizations that transport animals on a regular basis.”
Pet owners who want to transport their pets across the country are faced with limited or dangerous transportation choices.
A study by the San Francisco SPCA, found that of the two million animals transported in the cargo holds of commercial airliners per year, approximately 5,000 are injured in transit.
According to the Animal, Plant and Health Inspection Service (APHIS), “virtually every major airline has been cited and fined for repeatedly mishandling animals”. As a result of a lack of oxygen and temperature control in the cargo holds, the most common causes of death are suffocation and heat prostration, although one airline was cited for placing a dog too close to a motor, which burned the animal.
Put simply, passenger airlines are not a safe mode of transportation for our pets.
The Pet Airways Experience
The greatest issue facing pet parents when they want to transport their pets, aside from the dilemma and trauma of=2 0putting their loved ones in cargo holds, is the inability to know who, if anyone, is taking care of their pet and where or how their pet is being treated. It is a very stressful experience.
Pet Airways has solved this problem completely.
Pet Airways ensures pets are in the good hands of people who love and know how to take care of pets. From the moment a pet is dropped off at a Pet Lounge, the pet is always under the care of trained Pet Attendants. Monitored by Pet Attendants, pets will fly in planes that are fully-lit, climate-controlled and have the proper level of fresh air circulation that pets require.
Pawsengers will be boarded and de-boarded from planes as quickly as possible, never left in the cold or heat, and depending on transit time, will be offered toilet facilities, food and water as necessary during stops. Pet Parents will be assured of sensitive, careful handling and the peace of mind that their pets are well looked after by people who care as much about their pets as they do.
The Pet Airways goal is to make the pet travel experience more comfortable and enjoyable for both pawsengers and their human families.
About Pet Airways
Founded in 2005 by Dan Wiesel and Alysa Binder, Pet Airways was created to provide a safe and comfortable solution for the transportation of pets. Inspiration for the concept came from difficulties encountered when shipping Zoe, their Jack Russell Terrier, across the country.
Media C ontact:
Alysa Binder
561-274-6648
abinder@petairways. com
Bonnie & Sushis latest blog post..Tricks Can Boost Your Dog’s Confidence
This one is new to me. I’ve seen a couple “coming soon” airlines where you get to fly WITH your pet but they cost a FORTUNE and they are always just coming soon. This looks nice if you are willing to let your dog fly with strangers. Me? Not so much. That wouldn’t fly with Snickers. (Pardon the pun.)
I’m with you, I could never allow any of my pets to fly alone. But, then again, I would never have them fly, period. None of them could handle it, especially Sushi!
Bonnie & Sushis latest blog post..Tricks Can Boost Your Dog’s Confidence
I would like more pet people to read and be aware of the anti-pet organization HSUS (Humane Society of United States)
Too many are leaving the fight against these Animal Rights people to the breeders. There is so much legislation being proposed and backed by HSUS this year in 34 states. They have millions of dollars to sway our legislators to pass these anti-dog laws.
One being proposed in most of these states and soon coming to your state……….WARRENTLESS SEARCH AND SEIZURE. It allows any law enforcement person to come into your home at anytime without a warrent and find fault with how many animals you have or what the conditions are in which they are being kept!
Their goal is for NO ONE to own a pet within the next 10 years.
They are also trying to shut down any meat production, egg production etc.
Go to their website and get educated then speak out to everyone you know.
Loretta/Fl.
Loretta, you are so right! Thank you for adding this information. Way too many caring pet owners support both HSUS and PETA – with good intentions – without checking them out and realizing their real agendas.
Because of their brief lifespans, too much emphasis on companion animals isn’t good for a society or an individual. If Snickers is already five, he’ll be dead in about seven years anyway.
You are right Anon. Snickers most likely will be gone in 7 to 10 years, although he could be around for another 12 if I’m lucky. I can’t even begin to tell you what a positive influence having Snickers has been on my life.
Regardless of how unimportant some people may feel companion animals are, there are many of us who feel quite the opposite. I feel a new blog entry percolating… 🙂
I think this “anon” person’s comment is pointless and mean. There are countless benefits of having companion animals (pets) in our lives.
I hope Snickers will live 10,12,or 13 more fulfilling years with you and he’ll help you accomplish all you want to accomplish.
Anon;
That was a real thoughtless comment.
Many shibas including 5 of mine have lived to the ripe old age of l7.
I actually heard of a Shiba in Ontario that lived to be 21 yrs of age. Rescued from a shelter at the age 0f 7 🙂
Bonnie & Sushi
Bonnie & Sushis latest blog post..Tricks Can Boost Your Dog’s Confidence
I hope to see companion animals be considered more than just “property” in the eyes of the law.