The US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has published new rules for passengers who are bringing a dog to the U.S. The purpose of this regulation is to protect the health and safety of the people and animals against risk associated with dog-maintained rabies virus variant (DMRVV).

Passengers need to take certain new steps which depend on where the dog has been in the past 6 months.

All dogs accepted as checked baggage (AVI) or as service animal (SVAN) for travel to the U.S. must comply with following requirements:

• Dog must appear healthy and be at least 6 months old
• Dog must be microchipped
• Customers must complete following CDC Dog Import Form and carry evidence of the electronic receipt from CDC (printed receipt or show it on the phone):

https://cdc-786687.workflowcloud.com/forms/090dc543-7b2f-4538-b2c7-2919d12ecc73

• Customers must submit form online prior to their travel
• Each dog must have a separate form

Customers carrying a dog from high-risk countries for dog rabies are mandated to fulfill additional requirements based on high risk`s dog vaccination history.

List of high-risk countries can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/importation/dogs/high-risk-countries.html. If country is not listed, it`s considered as a dog-rabies free or low risk country.

Requirements are based on passenger`s dog situation, i.e. if in the 6 months prior to entering the U.S., dog has been:

• Only in dog rabies free or low-risk countries
• In any high-risk country, but:
  • Vaccinated in the U.S. - vaccinated in foreign country (not U.S.)
  • Not vaccinated

Further details and latest updates can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/importation/dogs/index.html. 

Rebooking waiver for passengers holding tickets issued on QR/157 stock or plate:

• No waiver applies for customers carrying  a dog from dog-rabies free or low risk country
• Please contact Qatar Airways contact Center or Local Qatar Airways Office, if customers do not fulfill requirements to carry dog from high-risk countries.

No refund and/or no-show waiver applies for passengers holding tickets issued on QR/157 stock or plate. 

Qatar Airways has introduced a new form to provide customers ease of access for requesting a carriage of Animals in Hold, Service Animals, and Falcons on QR flights.

The form will capture information related to processing of the request

• Type / breed of the pet
• Weight of pet and the container
• Dimensions of container (length x width x height)
• Documents for Service Animal SVAN

The request form is accessible in the help page.

A)  Eligibility and Conditions:

• Tickets purchased through all channels (IB/MB, contact centers, CTOs, ATOs and travel agencies).
• Only QR operated flights.
• If not issued on QR 157 stock, reject the request
• If the itinerary is QR+OAL flights, assist with the request via Contact Center whilst if is OAL+QR  flights, reject the request.
• Flight date should be at least 48 hours and not more than 60 days in the future.
• Puppies and kittens younger than twelve weeks are not accepted.
• Pet breed restrictions and country specific restrictions apply.
• Customer can submit requests for a max of 6 carriers and in each carrier a max of 3 pets of same litter is allowed

1.0  Booking an Animal in hold

Live animals and pets can only be accepted if IATA Live Animals Regulations are met in their entirety, as well as any additional government regulations that apply in the state of origin, transit and destination.

The weight of the container including the pet must not be greater than 75kg to be accepted as checked baggage

Certain stations cannot accept AVIH more than 32kg.

The total dimension of the container (Length + Width + Height) must not be larger than 118 inches (300 cm)

1.1 Reservations

Passengers can either call a contact center or visit a city office to book AVIH, between 2 and 30 days prior to the departure time.

1.2 Age restrictions

Puppies and kittens younger than twelve weeks are not accepted.

1.3 Cost of transportation

1.4 Breeds of Dogs and Cats not acceptable for Carriage on QR Flights*

Dog: Affenpinscher, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Bichon Frise, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Brussels, Bull dog (all breeds), Bull Mastiff (English Mastiff), Cane Corso, Chow Chow, Dogo Argentino, Dogue de Bordeaux (French Mastiff), English Mastiff, French Terrier, Greyhound dogs with the exception of pets (No more than two greyhound dogs can be booked as pets), Griffon, Japanese Chin, King Charles Spaniel, Neapolitan mastiff, Pekingese, Pitbull Terrier, Presa Canario,  Pug (all breeds), Shar Pei, Shih Tzu, Stafforshire Bull Terrier, Valley Terrier 

Cat: Burmese, Exotic, Persian, Shirazi

1.5 Restrictions for animals which shall not to be accepted:

• Female with suckling young are not allowed to be carried unless a veterinary certificate is produced which states that both mother and young one are fit to travel.
• Cats and dogs which are more than 6 weeks pregnant must not be accepted unless accompanied by a veterinary certificate certifying the animal is fit to travel and there is no risk of birth occurring during the journey.
• Certain breeds of Dogs and cats, including snub nosed shall not be accepted on Qatar Airways aircraft as checked baggage, as these animals, variably, are susceptible to increased risk of heat stroke (when exposed to stress or temperatures above 21 degrees Centigrade).

1.6 Container Specifications

• Be of the right size: The container should have enough space for the pet to turn about normally while standing, for it to stand and sit erect, and lie in a natural position
• Be well ventilated:  The container must have adequate ventilation on at least three of its sides, with the majority of the ventilation on the upper part of the container
• Should come with food and water bowl: Either fixed inside the container or accessible for replenishment from outside the container.
• Be properly secured: To prevent the pet from escaping

As per the diagram above, a suitable container for the pet would fit the following minimum measurements:

• Length of container = Length of the animal (A) + ½ the length of their legs (B)
• Height of container(E) = Height of the animal (D) + Bedding
• Width of container = Width of the animal’s shoulders (C) x 2

All ventilation openings must be max. 25mm x 25mm (1 in x 1 in) for dogs and 19mm x 19mm ( ¾  in x ¾  in) for cats

Acceptance criteria for multiple pets in a single container

• Only one animal is allowed per container, unless two animals are used to cohabitating:
  • Maximum of two animals of comparable size up to 14kg each
  • Maximum of three animals up to 6 months from the same litter, up to 14kg each
• In case of more than one animal in the cage/kennel, the measurements A, B, C and D for determining the container dimensions must relate to the largest animal
  • The height and length are determined in the same way as for a single animal.
  • The width of the container is calculated for two animals as C x 3 or for three animals as C x 4

2.0 Booking a SVAN

• a.     A service dog (SVAN) is any guide dog, signal dog or a trained dog to help an individual with a disability
• b.     Service dogs perform some of the functions and tasks that an individual with a disability cannot perform for him or herself
• c.     A service dog is not a pet
• d.     A rescue dog is not a service dog, as it does not help a person with a disability; hence, it is not permitted to fly in cabin 
• e.     Service dogs in training do not qualify as service dogs allowed in the cabin
• f.      Emotional support dogs (ESAN) do not qualify as service dogs and are not accepted in cabin

2.1 Reservations 

• Reservations should be made at least 48 hours prior to the departure time
• Service dogs are accepted in all cabins (including Qsuite)
• If the itinerary includes a flight on a partner airline, the customer needs to contact them and complete all required forms for traveling with a service animal

2.2 Age of SVAN

• Animals under 4 months of age may not travel as a service animal

2.3 Maximum allowed SVAN in cabin per passenger for flights to/from:

Australia, Brazil, Canada, India, Switzerland, Norway, Georgia and European Union Member States

• One service dog or psychiatric service dog allowed in cabin
• If a customer has two service dogs, one of the dogs will be carried in the aircraft hold as checked baggage or cargo

United States of America

• In accordance with the safety requirements and Qatar Airways policies a maximum of 2 service dogs or psychiatric service dogs are allowed per passenger

United Kingdom

• One service dog is allowed in cabin, however if a customer has a psychiatric dog, it will be carried as manifested cargo

Kuwait

• SVAN can be carried in the cabin only if arriving from USA, and a total of three service animals are permitted on flights

All other destinations

On all flights to/from countries not listed above, service dogs or psychiatric service dogs may travel free of charge in the baggage hold as AVIH and not in the cabin.

2.4 Documents required 

• Service dog
  • Evidence required in form of an ID card, other documentation, tag or a credible verbal assurance of the owner
  • Service dog certificate showing registration number of the dog and the certificate’s validity
  • This needs to be presented at the time of reservation or at the time of check-in at the airport (in order to prove that the accompanying dog is a service dog and not a pet).
• Psychiatric service dog
  • Certification from a licensed mental health professional is required. It should be a on a professional’s letterhead, signed and not older than one year from the date of the scheduled flight. Date and type of mental health professional’s license and state or jurisdiction where it was issued should be mentioned.
  • The certification must state that the passenger:
    • has a recognised mental or emotional disability (the certification does not have to specify the exact disability)
    • needs the psychiatric service dog during air travel and/or at the destination
    • is under the care of the licensed mental health professional providing the documentation
  •  Service dog certificate showing the registration number of the dog and the certificate’s validity

2.5 Cost of transportation

Service dogs or psychiatric service dogs travelling in cabin or in baggage hold as AVIH are accepted free of charge

3.0 Booking for Falcons

Falcons are the only animals accepted on Qatar Airways flights in the passenger cabin.

3.1 Itinerary restrictions

Only accepted in Economy Class

3.2 Reservations

• Booking a Falcon (FALC) is now an automated process i.e. the system will automatically confirm the SSR if the total number of falcons on each flight does not exceed 6 (narrow-body aircraft) or 12 (wide-body aircraft)
• If the quota is exceeded, the SSR status will be Unable to Confirm (UC). If the status is HK, the reservation agent should proceed with the EMD issuance
• Only one falcon may be carried per passenger
• The time-frame for reserving a falcon on-board is governed by the excess baggage

3.3 Country restrictions and documents

Falcons shall have a valid health certificate and entry permit according to the requirements of the countries of entry or transit. Refer to customs regulations

Tunis

• Falcons are not permitted in the passenger cabin
• Passengers may carry their falcons as part of the checked baggage

Kuwait

• Carriage of any type of live birds and animals in cabin only be permitted if they are placed in proper boxes/cages as specified in the approved IATA Guidance Material, for the safety and security of all passengers.

3.4 Aircraft and capacity restrictions

• Falcons are not accepted on the A319 all Business Class aircraft and [CDLC4] on the upper deck of A380
• Maximum of 6 falcons may be accepted in Qatar Airways narrow-body aircraft
• Maximum of 12 falcons may be accepted in Qatar Airways wide-body aircraft

3.5 Cabin Safety Requirements

• Falcons shall always be hooded when carried in the passenger cabin
• Falcons will be carried in the passenger cabin at the owner’s risk
• A chain or cord shall be attached to a leg of each bird. The other end of the chain or cord shall be securely fixed to the handler, to prevent the bird from flying while in the cabin
• Falcons and perches are to be placed on the floor area in front of the seat
• Plastic sheets should be used to cover the floor area under the falcons and over the adjacent seat
• Falcons are not to be placed on the seats
• Any perches carried and used by the handlers shall not be allowed to impede exit from the aircraft in the event of an emergency

B)  Confirmation

• 1)    Request Confirmation - After submission of the form, customers are informed of the 48 hours timeframe for processing.
• 2)    Processing confirmation: once the request is processed a confirmation email will be sent to the customer, informing of the amount to be paid at the airport for the service and reminding them to present at the airport all required documents.
• 3)    The email does not contain a list of required documents, as it is customer responsibility to check this information via the links provided online on the request form.

Cats:

• Exotic
• Persian
• Shirazi

Dogs:

The following breeds of dogs and mixes will not be accepted for carriage on Qatar Airways including all snub or pug-nosed.

• Affenpinscher
• Bichon Frise
• Boston Terrier
• Boxer
• Brussels Griffon
• Dogue de Bordeaux (French Mastiff)
• English/British Bull Dog
• French Bull Dog
• French Terrier
• Greyhound dogs with the exception of pets (No more than two greyhound dogs can be booked as pets)
• Japanese Chin
• King Charles Spaniel
• Neapolitan mastiff
• Pekingese
• Pug (all breeds)
• Shar Pei
• Shih Tzu
• Valley Terrier

The below list of dogs can be accepted only when carried as Cargo on Qatar Airways and all requirements are in compliance with the IATA Live Animal Regulations (LAR) container requirement 82.

• American Bull Dog
• American Pit Bull Terrier
• American Staffordshire Bull Terrier
• Bull Mastiff (English Mastiff)
• Bull Terrier
• Cane Corso
• Chow Chow
• Dogo Argentino
• English Mastiff
• Pitbull
• Presa Canario
• Stafforshire Bull Terrier

Primates that are being carried for research purposes

• Animals younger than twelve (12) weeks
• Fragile / weak animals
• Female animals with suckling young – carriage will only be permitted on the basis of a veterinary certificate stating that both mother and young are fit to travel
• Cats or dogs which are more than six (6) weeks pregnant - carriage will only be accepted if a veterinary certificate certifies that the animal is fit to travel and there is no risk of birth during the journey
• Certain breeds of dogs and cat (such as snub-nosed breeds) as they are susceptible to increased risk of heat stroke when exposed to temperatures above 21 degrees Centigrade, or when under stress.
• Rodents such as mice, rats, marmots, and rabbits are not allowed as excess baggage. Such animals must be transported as cargo.

For more info.:https://www.transportation.gov/individuals/aviation-consumer-protection/service-animals