Delta Airlines Offering GPS Tracking for Pets
28 Apr 2015Worried about transporting your dog or cat on an airline, stowed away in the cargo section? You can now track how he’s doing if you use Delta Airlines’ new with GPS tracking for pets service. It provides up-to-date information about location, spikes in temperature and if your pet’s crate is right-side up or not.
The tracking device costs owners $50. The data is accessible online at the Delta website from a GPS tracking unit that is attached to the pet’s crate. It sends updates before and after the flight, but not during due to restrictions on cell communication. This isn’t seen as a problem because most problems occur when the pets are waiting in the cargo area or are being loaded aboard the plane.
10 U.S. Cities
Right now GPS tracking is available and on 10 U.S. flights, including Los Angeles, Tampa, Seattle, Detroit, Cincinnati, Memphis, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Atlanta, Salt Lake City and New York.
You must take your pet to the cargo loading facility in order to arrange the service.
Dangerous Flight
Pets in cargo holds don’t have it easy. On Delta, 51 have died in the last five years. Overall though, deaths have been going down. Counting deaths in all U.S. airlines, 17 died in 2014, while in 2010 it was 39.
According to the Humane Society, it is wise to avoid flying your pets on airlines because of the dangers. If you do , it recommends putting them on non-stop flights only. Pets should not wear collars in the crate because they can catch on objects, harming the pet. It also advises that you put your name and contact information in several places on the crate.
Many airlines refuse bulldogs, pugs, Persian cats and other pets with pushed-in faces because they are vulnerable to heat stroke. They also can get oxygen deprived due to their short nasal airways.
The Amtrak Alternative
If you’d rather not hazard a trip on the plane for your pooch, consider going by rail. Amtrak will implement a pilot program in the next year, due to a law was passed in March by Congress. Pets will be able to ride in a kennel in a car specially designated for that purpose. The fee has not been determined.
Currently small pets who fit into the luggage size limits, which is 28” x 22” x 14.” The new program will allow animals of all sizes. The railroad has been experimenting with the program in Illinois over the last few months, hauling 145 cats and dogs.
Are you planning on flying with your pet, but not on Delta or not on one of the cities that Delta is servicing with its GPS tracking for pets services? Call LiveView GPS today to learn how we can help.
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