I am writing regarding Matt Williams' article (June 4) regarding airline travel for pets. The alarmist nature of the article was a little misleading. We are a pet relocation company based in Atlanta. We move more than 1,000 pets per year and have never had an incident. Airline travel is quite safe as long as common sense is used.
The main error in the article was the implication that the cargo holds of the airplanes where animals travel are not temperature-controlled. They indeed are. It is the same air that we breathe in the cabin. This information is available on many of the airlines' Web sites as well as many pet travel sites, including our own.
The legislation referred to would have required the airlines to install separate and distinct temperature controls for the baggage compartment. Sarah Stano's unfortunate event was most likely caused by human error. They simply placed her cat in the wrong compartment.
I look forward to the new rules as, hopefully, they will put to rest misconceptions like the ones regarding temperatures in the cargo holds. I obviously urge each person to do their homework when transporting loved ones. However, the fact is that airline travel for pets is exceedingly safe.
Marc Morrison
Atlanta, Ga.
The writer is owner of Animal Land Inc.
Comments (5)
Evidently the animals are safer in planes than laying in their own front yards in one Greensboro neighborhood.
As a cat owner/lover, I personally believe cats should be indoors. However, I have had my share of outdoor cats too, so I can't throw stones.
Cats are safer inside, in my old age I have gained that wisdom.
I hope they catch who did this and make NO plea bargins. Personally, I would like to see them hung by their gonads in front of the courthouse for all to see.
There is a special place in hell for people who shoot cats. Especially old ones.
My heart goes out to the owners of these cats.
Posted by Lilly | June 10, 2005 9:16 AM
Lilly,
I love my 2 cats. They are both outdoors. You are probably right that they would be safer indoors but from my experience they don't enjoy life nearly as much. I'd probably be safer indoors too, but my wife won't let me come in except to sleep at night.
Posted by truth | June 10, 2005 12:17 PM
Keep your cats inside. There is a law about dogs running loose and it should be the same for cats. I love all animals, but when your cat climbs all over my car, keeps me awake at night by howling below my window and eats my birds, I lose some of that animal love.
Posted by Billy | June 10, 2005 1:00 PM
How about keeping your birds and car inside instead?
Posted by truth | June 10, 2005 4:53 PM
"truth" you are such a darling man.
I cannot imagine your wife not letting you in except to sleep at night. LOL.
Oh, Bill, I hope a bird poops on your freshly washed car. :)
Posted by Lilly | June 10, 2005 8:28 PM