IATA RESOLUTION FOR TRANSPORTATION

OF ANIMALS BY AIR

LIVE ANIMALS REGULATIONS

(IATA Resolution 620, Attachment “A”)

Effective from 1 October, 1993.

These regulations are accepted by CITES and OIE (Office International des

Epizooties) as guidelines in respect of transportation of animals by air.

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CHAPTER 2

SHIPPING PROCEDURES

2.1 DOCUMENTATION

2.1.1 SHIPPER’S CERTIFICATION

The shipper or his authorised agent must provide and sign a Shipper’s

Certificate for Live Animals in duplicate for each shipment; stamped facsimile

signature are acceptable where permitted. For the purpose of these Regulations,

an authorised agent is a person expressly authorised in writing by the shipper to

execute the Shipper’s Certification for Live Animals required by this paragraph,

except that this shall not include IATA Cargo Agents, consolidators, forwarders

and indirect carriers. One signed or facsimile stamped copy will be retained by

the carrier which accepts the shipment from the shipper. The other signed or

facsimile stamped copy will be sent with the shipment, attached to its other

documents to final destination.

The common name of the species together with the scientific name shall be

entered in the species description box in English on the Shipper’s Certification for

Live Animals. For domestic dogs, cats, farm animals and laboratory animals that

are not noted in the Appendix to CITES, the common name only, in English, may

be shown.

When animals are carried as baggage the requirement for the Shipper’s

Certification for Live Animals is optional at carrier’s discretion.

2.1.2 AIRWAY BILL

Live animals shall not be entered on the same airway bill as other commodities.

In the “Nature and Quantity of Goods” box in the airway bill, the description

of the animal by common name in English (apart from any other language) must

be given and, where possible, should correspond to those specified in Chapter 1.

The quantity of animals in the consignment shall be stated.

2.1.3 OTHER DOCUMENTS

The shipper is responsible for providing the applicable health declarations and

permits required by the national authorities of the countries of export, transhipment

and import. When such documents are forwarded with the consignment they shall

be securely attached to the airway bill. A duplicate set of documents may be

attached to the outside of the animal container to facilitate handling process.

2.5 RESERVATIONS AND ADVANCE ARRANGEMENTS

2.5.1 RESERVATIONS

It is a requirement that space for live animals is requested and confirmed for

the journey before the animal is offered for shipping.

When more than one carrier is involved in the transportation, live animals

shall not be accepted for carriage unless advance arrangements have been made

and confirmation has been obtained that all participating carriers can accept the

consignment over the routes concerned.

The aircraft handling code “AVI” for animals must take priority over all other

handling codes when animals are being transported, notwithstanding the fact that

the animals may be converted into foodstuffs on arrival at destination.

Consignment of monkeys from different continents must be isolated from each

other in aircraft holds, airport cargo warehouses, animal holding facilities, and

during all phases of ground transportation.

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2.5.3 SCHEDULES AND ROUTINGS

The most direct route should be used to keep the number of landings and take-

offs to a minimum, thus avoiding repeated handling and climatic changes.

CHAPTER 3

CARRIAGE PROCEDURES

3.1 GENERAL CARE

The greatest care must be taken when handling live animals to protect their

welfare. Particular care must be taken to give the greatest possible sense of security

to animals not accustomed to humans. Animals awaiting despatch or delivery

should be held in areas which are draft free and in a temperature suitable for the

particular species.

3.2 DISTURBANCE

Travelling has an unsettling effect on animals and they should be disturbed

as little as possible. People should be stopped from disturbing animals by looking

at them unnecessarily for the sake of curiosity. Visual examination to check welfare

should be kept to a minimum. Generally wild animals (other than most birds) prefer

to travel in darkness or semi-darkness as this encourages them to rest. Domesticated

animals and most (but not all) birds prefer dim light.

3.3 INTERLINE ADVANCE ARRANGEMENTS

When more than one carrier is involved in the transportation, live animals

shall not be accepted for carriage unless advance arrangements have been made

and confirmation has been obtained that all participating carriers can accept the

consignment over the routes concerned.

3.4 ACCEPTANCE FOR CARRIAGE

Carriers shall only accept animals which appear to be in good health and

condition and check that the provisions within these Regulations have been

complied with by the shipper.

CHAPTER 4

CONTAINER REQUIREMENTS

Container Requirement 27 - Applicable to Cats (Domestic), Dogs (Domestic).

1. Design and Construction:

Note 1: A maximum of two adult animals of comparable size upto 14 kg. each,

that are used to cohabitation, may be shipped in the same container. Animals over

that weight must travel individually

Note 2: Animals upto six months old from the same litter, upto a maximum

quantity of three, may be shipped in the same container/compartment.

Note 3: Measurements A, B, C and D for determining the container dimensions

should relate to the largest animal.

Containers shall be nose and paw proof, i.e. ventilation apertures shall be of

such size that it is impossible for the animal to protrude its nose or paws outside

the container.

Weld Mesh Containers:

   Containers made principally of wire mesh should not be accepted for

international carriage.

Wicker Work Containers:

   Wicker work containers should be adequately secured and only be used

for small dogs (upto approximately 3 kg) and cats only as long as the

container can withstand normal handling and should be capable of being

properly secured.

Note: For small or young animals, a wicker container especially made for their

carriage is acceptable. Fibreboard containers are not suitable for carriage of cats

and dogs in the cargo compartment.

Wooden Containers:

Containers made of wood may not be suitable for large dogs.

Water must be provided in all the above containers.

Dimensions of Container:

The measurements in the following table are based on the animal standing in

a natural position and serve as a guide to obtain the correct size of the container.

These measurements should not vary by more than 10 cm (4 in). All measurements

are internal.

Legend

A =length of animal from nose to root of tail.

B = height from ground to elbow joint. A+1/2B = length of container.

C =width across shoulders. C x 2 = width of container.

D =height of container (top flat or arched)/height of animal in standing

position.

2. Preparations Before Despatch:

Feed the animal only a light meal and a short drink approximately two hours

before despatch and exercise the animal immediately before despatch.

Snub nose dogs, such as boxers, bulldogs, pekingese and pugs, are affected

more than other breeds by rarefied atmosphere and care must be taken to ensure

that the front of the container has open bars from the top to the bottom of the box

for ventilation. It is essential that the animal be free from respiratory troubles.

Shipment of females in heat (estrus) is not recommended.

Females with suckling young and unweaned animals will not be accepted for

carriage.

Weaned puppies younger than eight weeks should not be shipped due to

possible dehydration effects in air transportation.

Puppies and kittens may travel well together. The quantity must be related

to the size and strength of the individual animal. Avoid shipping a weakling which

could be harmed by its companions. Certain national regulations require cats and

dogs to be crated separately unless the consignment is a litter with the mother.

For pet animals a familiar article in the container helps to placate the animal.

Animal’s name should be marked on the outside of the container.

For pets taken in the passenger cabin in under-seat containers, the container

plus the animal should not weigh more than 4 kg (9 lb).

SPF labelling plus “This Way Up” labels must be affixed to the container for

Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) dogs and cats. Filter containers for SPF consignments

have special gauge air filters fixed in the ventilation apertures. Ventilation must

be a minimum of 16% of the surface area of the four sides. Sufficient water must

be provided for the journey. Food should be provided, if required, at the point

of origin in order that the sealed container is not opened during transport.

3. Feeding guide:

Animals should not require additional feeding during 24 hours following the time

of despatch.

If feeding is required due to unforeseen delay, meat, biscuits and canned pet

food should be provided but care must be taken not to overfeed.

4. General Care and Loading:

Warning 1: Snub-nosed dogs should be stowed as far away as practical from

other loads to ensure they have the largest amount of air space available in the

hold.

CHAPTER 6

CARRIER REGULATIONS

6.1.1. Carriage of Domestic Pets in Passenger Cabins as Accompanied Baggage:

Carriers may carry animals in passenger cabins under special conditions, as

accompanied baggage. Some of the airlines which do not accept animals for

carriage in passenger cabins as accompanied baggage make an exception for

seeing-eye, hearing-ear and service dogs accompanying a blind, deaf or physically

impaired person.