Getting Rover To A New Home By Air.

Many visitors to Phuket, believe it or not, return home with a Thai dog as a pet, usually one from the Soi Dog Foundation.

European visitors, in particular, like to come here and help out with care of the soi dogs, fall in love with one or two of them, and arrange to have them flown home.

If you happen to be one of these, a few tips on how to get Rover back to your condo in Sweden or wherever, might be helpful.

First of all check the weather regulations. Airlines are getting strictor about shipping pets in weather that they define as too hot or too cold (their definition, not yours)

Check that your doggie's papers are up-to-date. Regulations crossing international borders vary from country to country. Airlines generally also require a health certificate.

Then there is the actual shifting. Many airlines require you to drop off your pet only an hour or so before departure and the same for pick up. Depends on whether it is an international or domestic flight.

Then you have to make sure the animal is not overweight. For example Northwest Airlines in the United States has a policy of shipping animals up to 45 kilograms, pet and kennel [ dogs wee are only talking about here ]. The maximum size and weight is based on handling facilities and the size of the aircraft Rover is traveling on.

That's just a quick once-over. If you want the detail ring John Dalley at the Soi Dog Foundation. He's an expert.

Wednesday, 28th July 2010 at 3:05am

By Alastair Carthew, a former aviation employee, newspaper and television journalist. He is a freelance writer and consultant living on Phuket. Click here to go directly to his website: www.acprcounsel.com.