What time you need to be at the airport
The arrival times for your pet are dependent on the drop-off location and product, so we've developed a helpful chart to give you an idea of when you need to bring your pet to the airport.
No sedation
At the recommendation of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), we will not accept household dogs and cats that have been sedated or tranquilized.
If you plan to sedate or tranquilize an animal other than a household dog or cat, see our sedation policy to learn more.
What you need to bring
On the date of travel, you’ll also need to supplement your pet's kennel with the following materials, labels and security.
- Two dishes (one for food and one for water) attached to the inside of the kennel. Make sure dishes are accessible from the outside without opening the door. Note: bottle water feeders are not allowed.
- A bag of food taped to the top (in the event of a delay)
- Feeding and watering instructions
- In the event of unforeseen delays, we'll provide your pet with a comfort stop that will provide food to the animal. We comply with federal regulations, which means we offer food for dogs/cats less than 16 weeks of age every 12 hours, and every 24 hours for those over 16 weeks of age.
- Statement that food and water was offered within four hours prior to the pet's delivery to American
- Absorbent material on the bottom of the kennel. We believe that blankets, towels and beds work best for traveling pets. (Please note that hay, wood shavings and straw are not allowed.)