Animal Welfare Professionals

Hello, I'm Steve Petrucci with ASC Design and we are searching for people's experiences flying with their pets to design a more pet-friendly pet carrier. If you have flown with a pet before, or know someone who has, I'd love to hear your thoughts about any of these questions.

- What kind of pet do you have? (dog, cat, small large, etc.)

- Did you fly with your pet with you (carry-on) or under cabin (checked bag) ?

- Has your pet ever escaped from their carrier? (on the plane or elsewhere)

- Does flying give your pet anxiety?

- Have you had issues tending to your pets needs (food, water, restroom) ?

My sister has flown with her carry-on small dog and some comments from her experiences.  A carrier needs to be light enough to be lugged through airports when changing planes.  Automatically this would make you consider a tough fabric that could be folded when the pet is on a leash BUT when the pet is in the carrier under a seat a fabric container may allow the pet to be squished .  So - something small enough to fit under a seat, light weight but not crushable, with soft bedding and easily cleaned in case of accidents.  The ability to stick fingers into the container to comfort the animal would be a plus.

For cargo pets - sturdy, sturdy, sturdy since suitcases may be stacked on it.  If you could devise a watering system that would not spill when tilted but would enable the pet to stay hydrated that would be great.  Soft bedding, easily cleanable since the poor pet may be shunted or delayed.

Good luck and thank you from all traveling pet owners.