Pets As Cargo

Continental's PetSafe program will allow pets that previously traveled as checked baggage to experience these safeguards when they travel as cargo, keeping them safe and their owners reassured:

• Dedicated 24-hour Live Animal Desk (800.575.3335 or 832.235.1541)
• Confirmed booking prior to departure
• Weather conditions constantly monitored at all points
• The ability to track and trace the animal from its origin to its destination
• Personal handling in climate-controlled vehicles for connections over Continental's hubs when the animal will be exposed to temperatures above 85°F (29.5°C) degrees for more than 45 minutes

QUICKPAK is Continental Airlines’ fully guaranteed, flight-specific express product. Whether you need a shipment expedited across the country or across the globe, you can always count on Continental QUICKPAK.

Same-Day Service
Use Continental QUICKPAK when overnight is just not fast enough. Your shipment can move from coast to coast in a matter of hours, not days.

Hub Transfers
Domestic transfers are made as expeditiously as baggage. International transfers can be made in as few as two hours in our EWR, IAH and CLE hubs.

Tendering Guidelines
Domestically, we accept QUICKPAK shipments 30 minutes prior to flight departure at our QUICKPAK counters located in the terminal and within 60 minutes prior to departure time at our cargo facility.

Payment Terms
For the convenience of our Continental QUICKPAK customers, we offer a credit plan with monthly billing. Please request a credit application for details. If you haven’t yet been approved for Continental QUICKPAK credit, you may pay with cash, check or major credit card. Shippers must prepay charges for all Continental QUICKPAK shipments. We do not accept collect or C.O.D. shipments as QUICKPAK.

Kennels

You and Continental are responsible for following all USDA and IATA regulations regarding the size and type of kennels utilized. You may use your own kennel or purchase an approved kennel of various sizes from Continental at all airport locations. Airline approved kennels of various sizes are also available for sale at pet supply shops.

One of the most important steps you can take to ease the stress of travel for your pet is to make sure it becomes familiar with its kennel. Purchase the kennel as far in advance as possible. Veterinarians recommend leaving the kennel door open in the house with an old sock or familiar object inside so that your pet may spend time near the kennel and perhaps venture inside on its own. Since it is important that your pet be as relaxed as possible during the flight, familiarization with the kennel is essential.

All kennels must follow these guidelines:

Type/size of Kennel

The kennel must be sturdy, properly ventilated, and, most importantly, must be large enough for the animal to freely sit and stand with its head erect, turn around, and lie down in a normal posture. To prevent accidental injury, no part of the animal's body can protrude through any openings in the kennel. For this reason, kennels made exclusively from wire are not accepted.

Super Size Kennels

Continental can transport dogs in "Giant" crates/kennels (700 series) whose dimensions do not exceed 48" L x 32" W x 35" H (121 cm X 68 cm X 89 cm). We can load these crates on most Boeing aircraft, but will need permission to alternately route any 700 kennels booked on smaller aircraft such as the 737-300 and 737-500. All bookings must be coordinated through the Live Animal Desk at 1.800.575.3335 or 281.553.5052.

Closing Mechanism

Check the closing mechanism to make sure it works properly. Do not put a lock on the kennel door. In accordance with federal regulations, your pet must be accessible in the event of an emergency.

Wheels

Continental discourages kennels with wheels on the bottom unless the wheels have a locking device. If your kennel has wheels, it is recommended that they either be removed or taped in order to prevent them from rolling in transit.

Animals per Kennel

Each kennel should contain no more than 1 adult dog or cat, or no more than 2 puppies or kittens younger than 6 months, of comparable size, and under 20 lb (9.1 kg) each. Dogs and cats cannot travel together in the same container.

Include two empty food dishes

Include two empty dishes (one for food and one for water), accessible from the outside.

Absorbent Material

The kennel must contain absorbent material or litter. (Black and white printed newspaper is a good choice. However, newspaper with colored ink or advertisements can be toxic to animals.) Please note that the use of straw, hay or wood shavings is prohibited for international shipments.
 

Continental handles all specialty shipments, especially pets, with the greatest care. We understand the special requirements of shipping animals, and we adhere to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations, as well as International Air Transport Association (IATA) regulations.

To further ensure the safety of animals when they travel on Continental, we require animal shippers to follow these guidelines:

• For QUICKPAK service, pets must arrive at the QUICKPAK counter at least one hour prior to the scheduled flight's departure time. For international flights, pets must arrive at Continental's freight facility at least two hours prior to the flight's scheduled departure time.
• Continental and the USDA require that your pet have a Health Certificate issued by a veterinarian dated within 10 days of travel for both the outbound and return trips.
• Track a pet's itinerary online or call the Live Animal Desk at 800.575.3335 or 832.235.1541. Please have the shipment's air waybill number available.
• Kennels and crates must conform to IATA and USDA regulations.
• Continental Airlines supports the recommendation of the American Veterinarian Medical Association (AVMA) to not accept animals that have been sedated. Continental will not knowingly accept a dog or cat that has been sedated and accepts no liability for the death or sickness of an animal caused by any drug.
• The Continental agent will use the Live Warm-Blooded Animal Acceptance Checklist (PDF: 92.2 KB) at the time you tender your pet. Please feel free to print it out and utilize it in the preparation of your pet for shipping.

Recommendations for Puppies

Continental Airlines' consulting Veterinarian recommends that customers shipping small or toy breeds that are less than 12 weeks old and less than 3 lb (approx 1.5 kg) follow these precautionary steps to ensure their safe transportation:

• Do not vaccinate these puppies within 3 days of transport
• Do not worm these puppies within 3 days of transport
• Ensure that no medical procedures are performed on the puppy within 3 days of transport
• Use honey or White Karo syrup for "carbohydrate loading" for the 24-hour period just prior to shipping (to help maintain glucose levels in the puppy while in transit).

Continental's consulting veterinarian recommends these steps because a puppy less than 3 lb (approximately 1.5 kg) and 16 weeks of age cannot store glycogen in its liver which means it may not be able to regulate its own sugar/glucose levels. Lowered glucose levels in these pups could result in hypoglycemic episodes including seizures, reduction of body temperature (hypothermia) and could severely compromise the health of your pet.

Continental is committed to the safe and humane transport of all animals, and we believe that following the above steps will help ensure that your pet has a positive experience. For questions concerning the transportation of your pet, please contact our PetSafe^® Desk at 1.800.575.3335 (or 281.553.5052) or via e-mail at PetSafe@coair.com.

Brachycephalic (Short-Nosed) Dog Breeds

Extra care is required when the following breeds are shipped because they often have hereditary respiratory problems. These animals are susceptible to increased risk of heat stroke and breathing problems when exposed to stress or extreme heat:

• Boston Terrier
• Boxer
• Brussels Griffin
• Bull Terrier
• Dutch Pug
• English Bulldog
• English Toy Spaniel
• French Bulldog
• Japanese Chin
• Japanese Pug
• Pekinese
• Shih Tzu

On the recommendation of our consulting veterinarian, Continental Airlines will now require the following to reduce stress and heat exposure when shipping or handling the above-mentioned breeds:

• Use 1 size larger kennel than is normally required
• Use a kennel with ventilation on 4 sides. (If the kennel does not have ventilation on 4 sides, modify the kennel by drilling 7 holes in the rear top and 7 holes in the rear bottom of the kennel using a 3/4 inch keyhole bit).
• Acclimate the animal to the kennel by letting the animal spend time in the kennel for several days before its departure
• Do not place food in the kennel during the flight, just water
• Provide plenty of water to the animal. Frozen water bottles with tiny holes punched in the sides make a great watering tool for several hours when placed in the kennel's watering dish.

All Boston Terriers, Bulldogs and Pugs

Continental Airlines will accept Boston Terriers, Bulldogs (of any breed including English and French ) or Pugs according to the following conditions:

• Puppies of these breeds which are between 8 weeks and 6 months of age and are less than 20 lbs (or 9 kgs) will be accepted at any time of the year.
• Adults of these breeds (older than 6 months of age and/or weighing more than 20 lbs or 9 kgs) are subject to the following restrictions:
  • May 15 - Sept 15 None will be accepted
  • Sept 16 - May 14 These animals will be accepted as long as the forecasted temperatures along the itinerary are expected to be less than 85 degree F (29 degrees C) or lower at the time the animal's flight(s) is scheduled to arrive and depart. Animals may also use the option of "day kenneling" to avoid the heat of the day for connecting flights.