Monday, June 15, 2009

Dog Friendly Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport

Yesterday, I took my other sister (I have two) and her husband to the Phoenix airport. She asked me if we could bring Trixie (the good dog) along with me. We didn't but it got me wondering about what people do with their dog when traveling. Sooooo I looked up Phoenix Sky Harbor and dogs. These are some of the pictures and info I found out. Did you know Phoenix Sky Harbor is considered the "friendliest airport"? I didn't either. This airport is definitely dog friendly!

TERMINAL 4: The "Bone Yard", located outside the baggage claim level on the west end, "Mutt Mitts" are provided for owners to clean up after their pets and water buckets are available for a drink. Two water faucets are located within a lighted area filled with gravel in the shape of a bone.
TERMINAL 3: Sky Harbor added another pet park called "Paw Pad" outside Terminal 3 near the base of the control tower.
TERMINAL 2: Just recently added "Pet Patch" just right outside Terminal 2.
These are some of the tips I saw online for traveling with animals.....

Do not tranquilize your pet, as the effects of tranquilizers on animals at higher altitudes can be unpredictable. (Phoenix is at 1,000 above sea level - so problem there)

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has set up rules and regulations for the transportation of live animals, and your pet is required to be at least eight weeks old and fully weaned before traveling by air.

Whenever possible, book a direct, nonstop flight and avoid holiday or weekend travel.

Try to plan schedules that minimize temperature extremes. The kennel that you use must be sturdy, properly ventilated, and large enough for your pet to freely be able to stand, turn around and lie down. ( LOL, well, if you are traveling to Phoenix then, to minimize temperature extremes you would only be able to travel here during ahhhhhh January and February)
Get your pet comfortable with the kennel prior to flying; this reduces stress on your pet. (I can't imagine ever traveling with Bandit - the dog from He**)

Give your pet food and water within four hours before your flight. You will have to sign a certification of the time when you last offered food and water to your pet.

Give yourself plenty of time for check-in so there is no rushing and everything is done properly (I swear - this is what it says - no rushing LOL)

9 comments:

Busy Bee Suz said...

Just one more thing for me to love about Phoenix!!!
We only take our dogs in the car...I could not imagine putting them down below w/ the luggage...seems so cruel.

Dawn said...

Hi, thanks for following. I'm so surprised by what the airport has done for pets who fly! Not only providing facilities, but making them so cute. I can't imagine flying with a big dog, whether he is from He** or not!LOL!
Dawn

Prospero said...

Hi Deedee. We're a little different with Paps (sorry Bandit, the other "good dog", don't want to crowd you out) but some airlines allow you to take small dogs on the plane with you. I've never taken my youngster - but she'd be great at it. I have an airline bag for her - and she loves it.

Talking about "dog friendly" - every Saturday Angelina eats out at a nice Italian restaurant in town. She is welcomed by the boss, all the staff (they treat her like a movie star)! She stays under the table in her bag and she's as quiet as a church mouse. She doesn't eat anything - just happy to be out about town.

Anonymous said...

Very interesting. I can't imagine flying with Harriet!

Diane AZ said...

I think it's great that more and more places are going dog friendly. Even though I don't have a dog of my own, I love to see them.

Tanna said...

That is an incredible airport! I don't think I have seen anything like that at DFW! (but, then again, I didn't have any idea there might be!) Tess, our Scottie, would approve of Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport!

Susie said...

Interesting Deedee, hooray for that airport.

betty said...

Koda flew to us to Montana since he was born in Alabama. He was 9 weeks old when we got him in February of 2005. We had, thank you Lord, good weather for that time of year otherwise you are right, they won't fly dogs in the middle of winter if it is to a cold place or in summer if it is a hot place. I felt bad because no one ever directly flies into where we lived in Montana so he had 3 flights and an 11-hour day. And to make it worse, he was the last one off the plane and out of luggage. I was not happy about that. Suitcases took priority over a live dog......

I'm glad Phoenix offers great services for pets/their owners

betty

Susie said...

Deedee that Rudbeckia maxima is easy to grow. I planted them last year and they stayed around thru most of the winter. They shot up to over 5 feet tall and as you can see blooming now. Their foliage is like silver gray.