Rules for transporting animals on different modes of transport

Often, pet owners have to travel different distances with their pets. And, as a rule, these trips are fraught with difficulties due to the owners' ignorance of the rules for transporting animals on different types of transport, documents, their regulatory and physiological characteristics of their pets.

Transportation of pets in a bus, minibus

When transporting pets in public transport, a mandatory requirement until recently was:

1. Vetpasport, which indicates the types and terms of all preventive measures taken. This document is required both for transportation of a pet by all means of transport within the territory of the state, and for its export abroad.
2. Vetpravki on the condition of the pet at the time of the examination and the availability of vaccination against rabies.

On January 9, 2017, Order No. 589 of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation of December 27, 2016 entered into force. Clause 16 states that the transport of decorative, service and domestic animals within the Russian Federation is permitted without accompanying veterinary documents, if it is not caused by transportation them to the new owner, participating in competitions, and is determined by personal goals.

Small animals are transported in special transport containers, bags, transport baskets, the bottom of which does not allow moisture to pass, and the lattice walls allow air to circulate freely. They should not only provide comfortable conditions during long-term transportation, but also prevent pollution of the vehicle.

Carrying dimensions should not exceed the size of hand luggage established by transport companies (55x35x25 cm). In case of compliance with the dimensions, transportation of the pet is not paid. But boxing must be placed in a designated place or held in your hands.

It is not recommended to put a basket under your feet, so as not to expose your pet to psychological trauma due to the noise of engines, shaking, flickering of legs. Having placed the box with the pet in the aisle, its owner creates obstacles for moving around the passenger compartment.

Dogs of medium and large breeds are maximally isolated from people with the help of various accessories and are under the constant supervision of a guardian. A muzzle is used as a preventive measure of hacks, and a short leash is used to limit free movement around the cabin. Dimensional dogs are located in the "tail" of the cabin or in the rear seats of the bus. Their transportation is paid for by purchasing a baggage ticket.

An exception when following the city public transport is for guide dogs. If the dog accompanies the owner in the vehicle, then payment from him is not charged. The dog is placed next to the person accompanied by him and must have a protective structure - a muzzle and a special collar with a belt loop.

But, even observing all of the above rules, the owner may be denied transportation of the animal, referring to the "Rules for the transport of passengers and baggage by road and urban surface electric transport." They stipulate that in public transport it is forbidden to transport objects that can pollute the salon and others.

In rainy slushy weather, the dog’s hair, especially long-haired, gets wet, dirty and, brushing off, the animal threatens the cleanliness of others. To avoid this, the dog needs to be wiped dry before planting, have a diaper or oilcloth on it to protect the seat from dirty paws.

Rules for transporting animals in the subway

The rules for using the underground type of electric transport prohibit the transport of animals without temporary isolation. Metro officials argue this ban with concern for the safety of four-legged pets and metro passengers. When using the escalator, the dog may be injured, create a hazardous situation for people, or cause an accident.

The "Rules ..." stipulates the size of the accessory for transporting animals. So, for example, in the subways of St. Petersburg and the capital of the Urals, these sizes should not exceed the standard for hand luggage (55x35x25 cm). In Moscow, a boxing size of 150 cm is allowed. But the metro for the accessory more than 120 cm charges a fee.

But there are no rules without exceptions. Sometimes subway workers can skip the average dog, provided that the owner will hold it while the escalator is moving and passengers will not be at risk of bites. Corpulent dogs are not allowed into the "subway", and their owners are advised to use another mode of transport.

The shaggy passengers of the "subway" in the capital of Tatarstan feel most at ease. There are no pet size restrictions. The owner can purchase an animal ticket and follow to the destination station, subject to:

• hygiene standards;
• restrictions on free movement;
• passenger safety.

In all subways of the Russian Federation, an exception is made for guide dogs. They follow for free with their owner. But the animal must be in a muzzle and special equipment.

Carriage of animals on the train

According to the regulatory documents of railway transport, pets are allowed to travel in passenger trains only in wagons that have appropriate design capabilities - separation of seats and the possibility of isolating the pet.

This category includes compartment and reserved seats. In cars of the category "Lux" or CB, traveling with animals is prohibited. If the owner needs to transport a large dog by rail, he will have to pay the full cost of the compartment.

One passenger can carry a limited number of dogs. The pet must be securely isolated, partially immobilized in the movement of the car and have veterinary documents:

1. Unexpired vaccination certificate. The period from the moment the vaccine is formulated to the day of departure should not exceed 10-11 months.
2. Sanitation and deworming document.
3. Veterinary certificate of form No. 1, which is issued by the state veterinary clinic. The interval from the moment of registration to departure should not exceed 3 days. The document is issued on the basis of a veterinary passport, in the presence of vaccinations and after instrumental examination of the animal for dermatomycosis and helminthiasis. When traveling abroad, additional research and processing may be necessary due to the requirements of the country of destination. The document is valid until arrival at the destination.

Small animals are transported in boxes, and they require the purchase of an electronic baggage check. If their weight is ≤ 20 kg, then it is paid as baggage of the appropriate weight. If this norm is exceeded, payment is made for the real mass of the pet.

In suburban trains and regional railway transport, dogs of large breeds are allowed in the vestibule, which is located immediately behind the rolling stock or in the "tail" of the train. On the site should be no more than 2 dogs in muzzles and with a leash. Animals are followed by a guardian.

An exception is made for guide dogs. The owner can ride with the dog in any type of carriage for free, provided that the animal is in a muzzle, a collar and will not leave the seat next to the escorted passenger.

When transporting pets to foreign countries, you should familiarize yourself with the existing rules. So, for example, when traveling to a country or crossing it in transit, the following rules are observed:

1. In Western Europe, small animals are allowed in appropriate containers. Their payment is charged as for hand luggage. Large dogs can move in cars of I and II class. In this case, the owner pays for tickets and reserved seats in the entire compartment and additionally pays the cost of a child ticket in a class II carriage. You cannot transport more than two dogs in one compartment at a time.
2. Some Balkan and Scandinavian countries are not allowed to transport dogs through or to their territory.
3. It is forbidden to import or transport through the territory of Germany listed in the list of dangerous and aggressive breeds:

• staffordshire terriers;
• bull terriers;
• fila brasileiro;
• pit bull terriers;
• japanese toji.

Almost every European state has its own requirements, and in America and Britain its own laws are registered in each state or county.

When transporting animals to non-CIS countries, the owner must have an international passport for each animal. There are requirements for animal identification methods. Implanted microchips should be read by a scanner and included in the database of identified animals. All the details of transportation legislation can be found at the consulate.

Travel abroad in a private car

If a four-legged pet is going to cross the state border in the owner’s personal car, then you should take care of the presence of:

• evidence of chip availability;
• animal passports of international standard;
• certificates with permission to export, import or transit, drawn up in accordance with the requirements of the respective country;
• certificates from the veterinary clinic of form No. 1;
• the original vaccination card and the result of a serological rabies test.

The vehicle must be equipped with devices that restrict the movement of the pet in the cabin and a net that excludes interference with the driver. Modern devices are not only containers for transportation.

Representatives of large and medium breeds, they provide comfort and safety during a long trip:

• harness vests;
• restrictive nets resembling a playpen;
• hammocks;
• grids to limit space.

The owner must first familiarize themselves with the requirements for transporting pets in various countries and collect all the documents in a timely manner, vaccinate and chip.

Air transportation outside the state

The rules for the transportation of pets by air are established separately by each airline, but there are general rules. For example, small animals can be transported in the cabin in a special container if its dimensions correspond to 55 x 40 x 20 cm, and the total weight ≤ 8 kg.

Payment is made as for baggage, but its weight is not deducted from the total limited amount of baggage. The cabin is not allowed to carry more than two units of animals. Boxing is placed under the front seat of the chair or on the hands of the guardian. It is not allowed to transport the box in an empty seat.

There are separate rules for transporting large dogs:

1. If there is a warm transport compartment, the box with the animal is placed in it. Reservations must be made in advance, specifying the breed and weight of the pet. Some airlines, including domestic ones, refuse to transport representatives of brachycephalic (with a shortened muzzle) breeds, because due to the peculiarities of the structure of the skull, these dogs are at risk of asphyxiation, pressure drop, temperature, stress.
2. Dogs of fighting and dangerous breeds are transported in special cages of reinforced construction.
3. The cells are subject to special requirements not only to ensure the safety of others. In them, the animal must move freely, the floor is covered with a material with hygroscopic properties and isolated from leakage. Doors are equipped with strong constipation, excluding the escape of the animal. The total area of ​​the ventilation openings must be ≥ 16%.
4. The maximum permissible dimensions of the box are 110 cm long, 75 cm wide and 75 cm high.
5. In one box you can transport no more than 4 pets, subject to their free location and non-conflict.
6. The time for notifying the airline of the order for the transportation of live cargo depends on its weight. With a total weight of ˂ 32 kg, an application is made a day before departure, and with ˃ 70 kg - 3 days.

Service animals (dogs or cats accompanying people with disabilities, rescuers, helper dogs) are not limited by size and weight and, with prior agreement with the airline, are transported free of charge.

To obtain the appropriate permission, it is necessary to submit a document confirming the need for such accompaniment of the passenger and the presence of appropriate skills in the animal. Only one animal is allowed per passenger.

Before flying with your pet abroad, you need to clarify the requirements and the list of necessary documents. Some countries require translation of veterinary documentation into the language of the host country. Permissions from sanitary and epidemiological services of a foreign state may be required.

Rules for preparing the animal for the trip

For any pet, a change of place is stress that can have dire consequences. Therefore, if it is supposed to often transport a pet, then it is worth preparing it for this in advance. To train dogs for transport, for example, cynologists advise from the age of four months, gradually extending the route. The pet must get used to the noise, crowding, stampede and learn how to calmly respond to them.

Before a long trip, you need to take care of the nutrition of the animal. The best choice is a dry food that does not deteriorate, has a small volume and does not stain the interior or compartment. It can be taken on the road even if the animal is accustomed to natural food.

It is necessary to establish in advance how the pet suffers from motion sickness and, if necessary, get advice from a veterinarian, as well as purchase funds from kinetosis, sanitary napkins and absorbent diapers.

Only a completely healthy animal can be transported. Transportation of a sick pet is allowed only for medical reasons and if there is a supporting document.

Before traveling, you need to walk the dog well and stop feeding 4-5 hours before the trip. All devices used for transportation must be convenient, safe, meet the requirements.

You need to consult a veterinarian, perhaps you should take sedatives with you to calm your pet and relieve stress. When transported in the cargo compartment of a vehicle, the box must be equipped with a tag containing not only information about the animal, but also with the time of the introduction of sedatives.

Particular attention should be paid to the limitations caused by the anatomy or physiology of animals. Representatives of some breeds do not tolerate pressure drops, climate change or rapid movement. All these subtleties need to be clarified in advance, as well as to weigh the risks that the animal can wait for a long flight, a trip in the car or a train compartment.

You should also distinguish between the concepts of "transportation" and "transportation". Transportation does not include an agreement between the owner of the animal and the transport company or owner of the vehicle. If a ticket is purchased for an animal, this is equivalent to an agreement with the carrier company and falls under the concept of “transportation”.

And moving in your own car is “transportation”. For the safety of live cargo, many transport companies are not liable if an insurance contract is not drawn up. When transporting animals, feeding and care are not provided, unless these conditions are agreed upon in advance.

If there is no need to take a pet, it is better to leave it under the supervision of specialists in a hotel for animals or a responsible relative.